2025 in association with growth, workplace culture and commitment to positive mental health. By Travel Weekly reporters


Best agencies to work for unveiled M


undy Cruising, Panache Cruises and Barrhead Travel were named the


best agencies to work for across the UK and Ireland. Mundy Cruising triumphed


in the small category at the Agent Achievement Awards, while Panache Cruises won in the medium category and Barrhead Travel earned the accolade in the large category. Judges said Mundy Cruising


“didn’t put a foot wrong” in terms of its commitment to staff, and praised its “culture of honesty”, with a top- down approach ensuring all staff feel like they are “part of the family”. Alex Loizou, director of sales and


marketing, said: “I’m overwhelmingly happy and proud to receive this award. I’m accepting it on behalf of the whole team. “We try to ensure everyone feels


valued and feels important. We care for each other and we want people to be happy at work. We nurture every member of the team and


make sure they know they can lean on their managers when needed.” He added: “I’m looking forward


to taking this award, and our other from the night, back to the office to celebrate with the team and have that moment of togetherness.” Panache Cruises was recognised


for its strategy for staff development and wellbeing that “wouldn’t look out of place in a much larger organisation”. Judges said the agency had a clear support


community in the business and, for us, it doesn’t matter who you are – everyone has an important role to play. The culture comes from everyone from our apprentices to our chief executive. It’s such a collaborative approach throughout the business.” Judges praised Barrhead Travel’s


Barrhead Travel managing director Nicki Tempest-Mitchell (holding award)


structure in place, with clear career pathways and opportunities for progression within a “nurturing, caring and fun environment”. Panache Cruises senior


partnerships and marketing director Anna Perrott said: “For us, it’s the best award to win in the whole night. “Our people come first and our


business grows because of our people and this really is testament to them. We are so proud to have won this. “We’ve built an amazing


entry, as well as the company’s representative who was interviewed for “showing clear passion and commitment for the people within the business”. Barrhead Travel managing


director Nicki Tempest-Mitchell said: “It is incredible to win this. It means such a lot. Behind every great business are great people. “One of the things that


Barrhead Travel is passionate about is listening to our people. You cannot always change everything, but we try and listen and bring in new ideas to ensure people love working for the company.”


LEISURE AGENT OF THE YEAR (HIGH STREET)


REBECCA WHITE The Travel Village


White was unable to attend the AAAs in person, but her award was collected by retail manager Carolyn Markey. Judges were blown away by White’s incredible sales and were impressed she had also found time to do charity work, while describing her as authentic, genuine, honest and inspiring. They could see why her customers loved booking with her.


LEISURE MANAGER OF THE YEAR


NATASHA CROSSLEY Cruise Nation


“I’m elated and shocked beyond belief. I’ve only worked here for a year and a half, so this is amazing. The support from my managers has helped me to be the best manager I can, so I have to thank them. Travel is such a people-first industry and if you work hard for your people, they’ll work hard for you. It was a complete surprise to me and I can’t wait to tell my team. It’s very much a team effort and much of this award is down to them too.”


travelweekly.co.uk


YOUNG LEISURE AGENT OF THE YEAR


MEGAN LEWIS Tui


“It feels absolutely amazing to win this award. I would say to anyone thinking about joining travel to just do it. There is so much support in place. When I joined I had just turned 18 and had no idea what I wanted to do, and now I have won two national awards. I want to give a shout out to my manager and our regional sales and divisional sales managers.”


17 JULY 2025 13


PICTURES: Steve Dunlop


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