Midcounties restructures travel arm Samantha Mayling


The Midcounties Co-operative has restructured its travel business, appointing Claire Evans as chief operating officer, travel channels, as part of its growth strategy. The business includes 70 Your


Co-op Travel high street agencies; 140 independent agency members of The Co-op Travel Consortium; 150-plus The Personal Travel Agents homeworkers; and tour operator Co-op Holidays. Evans was previously head of


diversity, inclusion and wellbeing at easyJet, and will work with retail, consortium agencies and homeworkers in a role similar to that of former chief operating officer Rad Sofronijevic, who left in November 2021. Sara Dunham, chief officer for


travel and leisure, said: “We’re seeing demand holding up. We want to fuel that growth. Operating in a more joined-up way will offer more opportunities for growth.” Alison Holmes is promoted to


head of retailing, reporting to Evans, and there are expanded roles for Anna Langford, channel operations manager, and Katie Blunt, travel marketing manager. Ben Lovett is promoted to senior


commercial manager to manage third-party commercial relationships, reporting to Mark Mitchell, head of Co-op Holidays and third-party commercial. Co-op Holidays aims for


“incremental growth” and will expand its product and destination range, particularly long-haul. Sheena Whittle remains head


Joint MDs take helm at Dawson & Sanderson


Samantha Mayling


Northeast agency Dawson & Sanderson has appointed joint managing directors as part of a major company restructure. Managing director Chris Harrison,


who joined in 2011, has resigned. Stepping up to be joint MDs are


retail director Jan Fawcett and finance director Annelene Hutton. A statement said Fawcett has


played a “major part” at the agency for more than 30 years, including the past 11 years as director. Her past


4 8 SEPTEMBER 2022


responsibilities have included day-to- day running of sales and operations. Hutton joined as finance director


in March. The statement said she has “enjoyed a successful career at several global organisations and brings with her a wealth of experience that will strengthen the business”. Judith Alderson has joined the


board as commercial and corporate director. She has been “an integral part of the company” for many years with management roles in retail, cruise, worldwide and corporate. David Chambers, grandson of


founder and chairman Tom Dawson, becomes a director, “strengthening the family representation on the board”. In recent years, he has gained


experience across the company, including in its retail, corporate, foreign exchange and golf divisions. He will focus on project


management, “carrying on the ethos and future of the family business”. Dawson said: “This new


leadership team offers a wealth of skills and experience to drive the business forward. Trading is strong and has reached pre-Covid levels.”


of PTAs, and recruitment is taking place for a role overseeing the team of seven employed homeworkers, which is set to expand. The restructure has seen departures


“in the single digits”, including Natalie Turner, head of branches. Overall, there is a net increase of 20 roles, said Dunham, who was


Sara Dunham


appointed in February 2021. “In my first year, I was stabilising


the business, as we were recovering from Covid,” she said. “Now we have had a sustained


performance for six months at the levels we want, which gives confidence for the future.” Recruitment continues in retail


branches, with people from outside travel sought as there are fewer candidates with relevant experience. Dunham said the cost-of-living


crisis is another challenge, with some cancellations for autumn blamed on clients’ financial concerns. Other issues such as itinerary


changes were also causing cancellations, she said. But she added: “There are lots


of new bookings for next summer and high-value bookings.”


From left: Judith Alderson, Jan Fawcett, Tom Dawson, David Chambers and Annelene Hutton


Founded in 1962, Dawson &


Sanderson has 21 branches and employs 220 people. The agency has expanded from its high street roots to greatly increase its online presence. In May, the company said it would


file restated accounts at Companies House after an “individual error” with its previous filing. “An internal review revealed an individual error resulted in the filing of accounts at Companies House when they had not been formally approved,” said Harrison at the time. Previous finance director Alistair Cormack resigned on April 11.


travelweekly.co.uk


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