NEWS
SILVER SERVICE: Dawson & Sanderson treated nine members of staff to dinner, a cash prize and a trophy each for clocking up 25 years with the agency. Kelly Bates, Marie Hughes, Nadine Pippett, Hilary Ricketts, Paula Cowen, Nicola Spence, Chris Elwick, Toni Robson and Jeanette Bryan were rewarded in recognition of their long service. Managing director Annelene Hutton (third from right) said: “Our team members are at the forefront of what we do, and without them, we wouldn’t be able to provide outstanding holiday experiences for our customers.”
Henbury Travel owner to ‘give small indies voice on Abta board’
Juliet Dennis
Henbury Travel owner Richard Slater has pledged to emphasise the value of small independent agencies and their role in the sector’s growth when he joins Abta’s board of directors. Slater, who has been Abta
North West regional chair since 2019, will represent the association’s Council of Regions when he joins the board at its annual general meeting on September 21, initially for two years, after being put forward for the post by other regional chairs. He will be the second agent on
“We have been pushing to get
a ‘core’ member on the board because retailers were only represented by Daniele,” said Slater, who made the case for high street retailers during the pandemic, appearing regularly on TV and radio. Slater argued: “The majority of
STORY TOP
Abta members are small businesses or homeworkers and turn over less than £5 million. Daniele and I are the only ones on the board who have our
own companies.” He aims to highlight the
importance of independent agents
the board, joining Daniele Broccoli, managing director of Britaly Travel and Typically Holidays, who currently represents retail members with turnover under £20 million. Slater’s Macclesfield agency,
which this week reported queues outside the door, is expected to turn over £2.5 million this year.
travelweekly.co.uk
and encourage suppliers to work more with the trade rather than focus on online channels. Slater insisted: “Agents have
knowledge and experience, can upsell bookings and make sure customers are airport-ready. More people are seeing the benefits of booking through an agent. Operators not focused on agents are missing a trick and lose out.” He added that “it’s time the big boys were challenged” over
online discounts, which agents can’t compete with. Slater will also urge suppliers to work more with agents in the regions, arguing: “We don’t want everything to be so London-centric.” Abta chairman Alistair Rowland
welcomed the appointment, saying: “Richard’s experience and expertise will be invaluable.” Graeme Brett, co-founder of
agent action group Travel Agents Reform Group Engaged Together (Target), agreed: “This is a huge step in the right direction.” Target has campaigned to have
Richard Slater
two elected agents representing businesses with turnover under £2 million and under £5 million on the board. Brett said: “It’s not exactly what we asked for, but it’s a victory for agents.” Target co-founder Jill Waite, of
Pole Travel, suggested: “This is not the end of the campaign for greater representation on the Abta board but the first step on the road to reform.” Abta is seeking nominations for
election to other positions on the board representing retail businesses with turnover less than £20 million, principal businesses with turnover less than £50 million, and principal businesses with a turnover of £50 million or above. The deadline for nominations
is 5pm on July 26 and ballot papers will go out in August if positions are contested. Abta has also invited nominations for its Council of Regions to represent the Eastern, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Southern, South Wales and Yorkshire & North Midlands regions.
6 JULY 2023 5
PICTURE: Kirsty Thompson/Newsquest
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