FRONTLINE
PREMIER TRAVEL AND PREMIER HOLIDAYS Husband and wife Paul and Niki Waters were appointed managing directors of Premier Travel and Premier Holidays respectively in October 2022. They’ve been with the agency and operator for more than 22 years. Advantages and disadvantages? Paul: Having complete trust is a huge advantage. You are more honest with each other – that can be a pro and a con! Understanding each other well and not having to explain what you mean saves lots of time. Commitment and loyalty are much stronger in a family business. With both of us heading a company, we have enough space from each other on a day-to-day basis, but it’s brought the two companies closer together and improved inter-company communications and relations. When Covid hit, having the whole family involved in the company was scary because it could have been disastrous. Working through such a huge crisis together was very hard, but ultimately brought us more together and made subsequent big successes even sweeter. It can be hard to switch off from work while at home as you are both involved in everything and it’s easy to carry on talking about it. Taking holidays together is not really an issue because we both have great senior teams to hold the fort. We include the wider team in discussions and go with the consensus, or with the person who has the most experience.
TIPS: Be clear on each person’s role and respect each other. Don’t take work disagreements personally or take them home with you – compartmentalise and park it until you’re back in the office. We have different skill sets and play to each other’s strengths. Recognise each other’s achievements and celebrate successes – trebling our profits from pre-Covid days is worth celebrating. There are frustrations and differences of opinion at times, but we get through them because we are both 100% committed to Premier’s continued success.
CRUISE365 AND BUCKET LIST TRAVEL Cruise365 founder Anthony Blackmore set up an agency called Bucket List Travel in Crook, County Durham, in March 2024, with daughter Hannah Blackmore working on the website and social media. Advantages and disadvantages? Hannah: Dad’s been in the industry more than 35 years, so I have the best mentor. Loyalty is a massive part of our business and family is at the heart of everything. I’ve always been determined to make my parents proud. Not being able to get time off together often is the biggest disadvantage. We have such a similar bucket list and it’s a shame we don’t do big trips together. We have a strict ‘no work talk’ ban on Christmas Day. Anthony: Cruise365 is a family-owned company with my wife and I as owners and co-directors. My operations manager is my sister-in-law. Hannah was always destined to be in travel and joined us full time in 2022. The advantage is having somebody who, at only 23, has a lifelong experience of cruise holidays and a keen passion for travel. Her social media skills help us to reach new audiences.
TIPS: Hannah: It’s the most rewarding and amazing thing. After losing grandad last year, I realised how important it is to spend time with your family. Anthony: It was a perfect fit because we were looking for continuity. I love the thought of the business we founded in 1998 being passed down through the generations.
TRAVEL VILLAGE GROUP The business was founded in 1959 by Eric Capey Bourne. It is now owned by Eric’s grandson, Phil Nuttall, chief executive, who works with his wife Paula (both pictured) and daughter Jess Nuttall, known as Mop. Phil’s cousins Carole Anne and Susan also work in the business. IT manager Dan Turner’s partner Samantha Lee works in marketing. Advantages and disadvantages? Phil: The biggest is trust and we don’t struggle for conversation around the dinner table. I don’t see any disadvantages as everyone is committed to the business. We can take holidays together and have understanding children and partners who aren’t in the business when the conversation inevitably turns to travel. We often disagree but always work it out. Paula and I have been doing it for so long we appreciate each other’s skills. Mop and Dan do very different jobs that are outside of mine and Paula’s comfort zone.
TIPS: If everyone is equally passionate, you have a basis to work together. It’s important everyone has a different skill set and you must have respect. It’s hard work and not nine-to-five. My grandfather instilled his vision in me about how you treat people, customers and your team. My children, Paula’s children and my cousins in the business share this ethos.
travelweekly.co.uk
20 MARCH 2025
23
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