People on the move: Travel Counsellors; Manchester Building Society; Re:allies; Dow Schofield Watts; Breeze

Manchester-based Travel Counsellors, the provider of bespoke corporate and leisure travel, has welcomed its 1000th travel expert to its UK business with the appointment of Juliet Twena in Jersey, bringing the total number of Travel Counsellors to over 1,600 globally.

Twena works across both the long haul and luxury markets, with more than 10 years’ experience in the travel industry, and has had positions overseas in Egypt, Jordan and parts of North America.

The appointment comes as the company experiences record growth in professionals joining the business to run their own travel businesses, with 150 new Travel Counsellors starting their new careers within the past three months, more than double the same period last year. This is the best first quarter on record, and puts the business on track to recruit 400 new Travel Counsellors globally by the end of 2017.

Backed by private equity house Equistone, Travel Counsellors operates a franchisee model, with its travel agents spread across the country. This enables the business to offer its customers access to a local personal agent, who can build long-standing relationships and provide holiday experiences that are bespoke for each customer.

Alongside the UK growth the international business continues to expand its Travel Counsellor numbers globally, with international offices in Ireland, Belgium, Australia, South Africa, the UAE and the Netherlands and more than 600 franchisees now operating outside of the UK. The business has enjoyed a period of rapid growth, with TTV rising 8% per cent to £447m in its latest financial results, a record-breaking January and global sales for the first three months up 16% compared to the same period last year.

Chief executive Steve Byrne said: “It’s really positive that we are experiencing such a strong increase in interest from those looking to run their own business using our technology as it reflects the strength and future proof nature of our unique business model and support.”

Twena said: “For me it’s all about the personal service and delivering a truly tailor-made experience for my customer, so becoming a Travel Counsellor has given me the technology, product and support to do this, whilst reaping the financial rewards of running my own business.”

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Manchester Building Society has announced the appointment of Janice Lincoln interim finance director from May 8.

Lincoln, whose appointment is subject to regulatory approval, was previously finance director of Darlington Building Society until 2015 and is a non-executive director at Penrith Building Society.

David Harding, chairman of the Society, said:  “I would like to extend a warm welcome to Janice, who brings with her a wealth of Building Society experience and I look forward to working with her.”

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Manchester-based bational social housing procurement consortium Re:allies has appointed Paul Tennant as chair of its board.

Tennant will lead Re:allies which comprises three social housing procurement consortia – Procure Plus; Efficiency North; and Central Housing Investment Consortium (CHIC).

Within his new position, Tennant will play a key role in the organisation as it further strengthens frameworks to help registered providers boost supply chain efficiency, and support local communities by using the procurement process to help those furthest from the job market back into work.

With nearly 35 years’ experience in the housing sector, Paul is well placed to support Re:allies in achieving its strategic goals.

His most recent role in the industry was as chief executive of housing association Orbit Group between 2003 and December 2016.

During that time, he oversaw the transformation of the organisation into the second-largest housebuilding association in the UK.

He said: “It’s a fascinating time to be joining the Re:allies team. The organisation has really grown in recent years, increasing its influence among suppliers to help members maximise the efficiency of their supply chains.

“Going forward, I will be focused on highlighting the ability of Re:allies not only to give its members a collective voice in the sector but also, through intelligent procurement, to add value to the communities they work in, by creating job opportunities for vulnerable local people.”

Mike Brogan, chief executive of Re:allies, added: “Paul brings truly formidable expertise to Re:allies that will bolster our board. With Paul as part of the team, we will really be able to improve our offer to members in terms of services and best practice guidance.

“With all this, we can be sure members have everything they need to continue to provide their residents with comfortable, decent homes, as well as support the regeneration of local economies.”

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Dow Schofield Watts has announced two promotions in its due diligence team, with Ros Jones becoming senior manager and Rob Parker being promoted to manager.

Jones joined the firm two years ago from Air Energi in Manchester, having previously worked in due diligence at another regional advisory boutique.

In her time at Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services, she has worked for a number of private equity, corporate and banking clients including NorthEdge Capital, NWF plc, Shawbrook Bank and Finance Wales.

Parker, who previously trained as an auditor with Grant Thornton and CLB Coopers, joined the firm in 2015 and has since worked with clients including the Business Growth Fund, GMIF, and RSK Group.

The promotions follow the appointment of Sophie Colloby as partner in Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services’ Yorkshire & North East office, taking the total headcount within the firm’s experienced due diligence practice to 10.

Nicola Merritt, a partner with Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services, said: “Ros and Rob’s promotions are really well deserved and reflect their hard work during two very busy years for the firm. They also demonstrate our commitment to identifying and nurturing professional talent amongst the northern business community.”

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Steve Wilson, former general manager of Insider Media, has joined a new full-service digital agency Breeze, based in Wigan.

His remit is to expand the Breeze offering and to establish Breeze as the go-to digital agency for businesses, professionals, and entrepreneurs.

Wilson, joined Insider Media 14 years ago and moved through the ranks to become General Manager. Steve’s experience and success in helping young, innovative businesses grow and develop was a deciding factor in his move. He now looks to bring his expertise and experience, to Breeze.

Wilson said: “I understand what businesses really need from a digital marketing agency and I look forward to bringing this insight to Breeze. I want to create long-term relationships with our clients.

“True partnerships that go over and above the standard offering from other digital agencies and demonstrate our unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing business leaders.”

Breeze managing director Anthony Critchley said: “I am genuinely excited to welcome Steve Wilson to the Breeze team and it’s a real coup for the business that Steve is on board. We have great ambitions for Breeze and we know that Steve is the person to help us achieve them, we have an exciting year ahead.”