Boss of Dawson & Sanderson outlines plans for growth


Juliet Dennis


The managing director of agency chain Dawson & Sanderson has unveiled plans to grow its high street network after a “tough year”. Annelene Hutton joined as


finance director in April last year and was promoted to managing director in September. Hutton said the company’s


new Atol-registered auditors had completed a full audit following an “individual error” in the accounts for the year ending August 31, 2020. The company refiled its accounts


at Companies House in January. “It’s been a tough year – not easy


by any stretch of the imagination,” said Hutton, adding that the business could now “put that behind us”. “We’re on an even keel now and


we have our next set of accounts to publish, which we expect to do in July.” Hutton said she was now


focused on growing the business and ploughing profits back into the 20-branch agency and its staff. “Historically, money was taken


from the business, rather than being reinvested; we’ve drawn a line under that now,” she said. Her plans for Dawson &


Sanderson include expanding its chain of branches in its northern England heartland, overhauling its


Annelene Hutton


Lucy Huxley


website and potentially rebranding. The last of these plans, which


could go ahead next year, would aim to attract younger clients, including more of the family market, and could include a new logo and staff uniform. Hutton said: “We are looking at


our branding, and what message that sends, but we don’t want to lose sight of who we are.” The company has recently


introduced a new retail structure, recruiting two regional managers to each cover half of the shop network. Hutton said the agency was also


reviewing its salary package, and was consulting with staff on a proposed pay rise and new bonus structure.


She stressed the importance of


engaging with the workforce on key issues, adding: “You can’t ignore your workforce. Without them, we don’t have a business.” Hutton said she considered


herself the “gatekeeper” of the company until David Chambers, grandson of company founder Tom Dawson, takes over the reins. Currently in his mid-20s, Chambers joined the board last year.


Watch the interview with Annelene Hutton in full at: travelweekly.co.uk/media


Kenwood to expand cruise business Juliet Dennis


Kenwood Travel is to launch a standalone cruise division and recruit specialist agents to increase its sales in the sector. The high-end travel agency has


recruited Emma Sanger-Horwell, who has worked for Wexas Travel for the past 10 years, most recently as cruise product executive, as its head of cruise. She starts in the new role next


week and will oversee the launch, which includes a separate dedicated website to promote cruises to the agency’s existing customer database and attract new clients. As well as signing the agency up


6 27 APRIL 2023


as a member of Clia, Sanger-Horwell plans to negotiate new commercial terms with cruise lines, increase product knowledge among the agency’s existing staff and take on new cruise agents. The London-based agency


currently employs around 50 agents and operates a hybrid model of home and office working. Sanger-Horwell said: “Kenwood


Travel is well known for selling Indian Ocean and Caribbean land- based holidays but they realise many of their clients are booking cruises elsewhere, so they wanted to get into this and have[their own] specialists.” She said the agency would


be looking for agents with cruise


experience but could not reveal exact numbers at this stage. Kenwood managing director


George Koumi hopes the new focus will significantly increase the family- owned agency’s cruise business. He said: “I am thrilled to welcome Emma and look forward to working


Emma Sanger- Horwell


together to drive growth and success for Kenwood Travel. “Her extensive experience in the


industry and proven track record makes her an invaluable asset to our team. I am confident that under her leadership and with the launch of our cruise website, our cruise division will thrive and grow.” Sanger-Horwell brings more than


30 years’ travel experience to the role. She added: “I wasn’t looking


to move jobs – I loved it at Wexas – but it’s rare to get the chance to further develop an established travel business. Cruise is my passion, and adding a cruise division to Kenwood’s portfolio is something I’m super-excited to be part of.”


travelweekly.co.uk


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