Trade tributes flood in for ‘beautiful soul’ Diane Court
Juliet Dennis
The death of travel industry “mum” and “first lady” Diane Court has led to an outpouring of sorrow and tributes. The former JTA and Belleair
Holidays senior sales manager, who turned 71 last month, was described as a “legend” and a “beautiful soul”. Court retired last December
after five decades in travel, having represented companies in the Midlands and nationwide, including Gold Medal, Virgin Holidays, Cellet Travel Services and Qatar Airways. Following her death from lung
cancer, JTA Travel Group paid tribute to “not just a valued colleague, but a great friend”, adding: “Her legacy of friendship, professionalism and genuine care will live on through the many people and partnerships she helped shape.” Nick Hughes, G Adventures
director of growth for the UK and Ireland, said: “Di was loved by all, and someone I looked up to early in my career. She had the biggest of Brummie hearts.” Dominic Carrick, easyJet holidays
trade distribution manager, described her as “always friendly, supportive and kind” and a “fabulous lady”. Claire Dutton, Inspire Europe
head of commercial, marketing and
product, called her “an inspiration to so many”, while Anthony Goord, Peter Goord Travel owner, said he was “shocked and saddened”, adding: “She has been my travel mum for over 30 years; I’ll miss her humour, love, laughter and trademark spiky hair.” Cherie Richards, Hays Travel
head of business development, said: “We worked together for so many years . . . an absolute travel legend.” Kathryn Beadle, who retired from
Uniworld in 2017, described her as “a legend . . . respected and admired for her knowledge and professionalism [and] one of the nicest and most stylish ladies in travel”. Chris Oakes, Technomine Travel Solutions global sales director, said:
JTA Travel appoints Mark Schmitt in head of cruise role
JTA Travel Group has appointed Mark Schmitt to the newly created role of head of cruise. Schmitt joins from SeaDream Yacht Club where he was UK and Ireland sales director. In his new position, he will be responsible for expanding JTA’s cruise portfolio and working with supplier and agent partners. He has previously worked for AmaWaterways, Fred Olsen Travel, Tradewind Voyages and Trailfinders.
8 13 NOVEMBER 2025
Diane Court
Jet2holidays’ new trade manager will be ‘very visible’
Jade Evers, Jet2holidays’ newly appointed general manager of travel agent relationships, has pledged to be “very visible” to the trade. Evers told Travel Weekly she
intended to put her “own stamp” on the position previously occupied by Lloyd Cross. Evers, a former Thomas Cook
and Hays Travel manager who joined Jet2 as a sales executive in 2020, said it had been “amazing” to receive messages of support from co-workers after they learnt of her promotion. She and her colleagues in the
“She was like the first lady of the travel industry, always funny, always glamorous. Like others, Di took me under her wing.” Craig Davidson, Flexi Reps
managing director, described Court as a “beautiful soul and a proper legend”, while Kuoni head of trade partnerships Sarah Weetman recalled her “unwavering support”. Court began at Horizon Midlands
before moving to Thomson but is best known for her 19 years at Gold Medal between 1988 and 2007. She retired from JTA after
turning 70 and became an official ambassador for the brand. Court leaves behind husband Andrew and daughter Lisa.
Regional carrier Eastern
Airways enters administration Eastern Airways has entered administration after the majority of its 330 staff were made redundant. A notice of intention to appoint joint administrators was filed on October 27. The airline’s Newquay-Gatwick route was subsequently revived by Skybus, with the first flight scheduled for November 23.
trade team are currently preparing for peaks and have also welcomed the response to Jet2holidays’ Black Friday deals. She added that the trade team is
“always working on lots of different and exciting things”, noting that a number of initiatives are in the pipeline. Looking ahead, she said: “I’ll be
making sure I’m a visible presence on the field sales side of the team. “I will definitely be out speaking to agents face to face, because that’s what’s so important to us as a team.” Alan Cross, director of trf travel agent relationships, said “Jade’s dedication makes her the ideal person to take our partnership approach to the next level.”
aid: ch Jade Evers
Former Althams Travel MD Eddie Starkie dies aged 84
Eddie Starkie, the former managing director of Althams Travel Services, died on October 31, aged 84. His career at the northwest-based travel agency chain spanned 60 years. He started at Althams as a junior clerk in 1956. His contribution to the industry was recognised in 2015 when he received the Outstanding Achievement Award at Travel Weekly’s Agent Achievement Awards.
travelweekly.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
