Describe your typical week

I like to have one day at home to speak to agents, conduct webinars and generally do the day job. Two nights of the week I need to be at home while my other half Rachel works, so that I can look after our two-year-old, Louis, and Rufus, our sausage dog. The rest of the week I am meeting our wonderful trade partners, conducting training, attending shows and a host of other activities across the country.

How big is Uniworld’s sales team?

We have a team of three – you’ll also see Kathryn Beadle, our managing director, and Lucy Hopkins, sales development executive, out on the road. We like to think that although we are small, we are perfectly formed and we all help each other out where needed. 

What’s on the car radio?

As part of the deal on my new car I now have digital radio. This is so I can listen to Radio 6. The older I get the lower down the BBC Radio scale I seem to go! 

What keeps you going on the road?

I am sure I’m the sole reason that Costa is so successful in this country. Coffee and free Wi-Fi – what more does someone who works on the road need?

What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever done as part of a sales visit?

In my new role at Uniworld, nothing… yet! In my previous company we drove a group of agents to Newquay in a campervan (which broke down – it took 20 hours to get there) so we could have surfing lessons. We visited several agents on the way back, still dressed as surfers, and when I headed home afterwards the surfboard went straight through my car windscreen as I shut the boot – that seems to stick in the memory!

What do you get up to outside of work?

I am a massive fan of Brighton and Hove Albion, I play squash with the boys once a week (work permitting), and I love music festivals. That said you cannot beat quality time with the family.

Which agency gives you the warmest welcome?

I am very lucky to have a great relationship with all my trade partners and over the years I actually feel like an extended member of their workforce. I always get a special welcome when I visit the luxury portacabins of Fred Olsen Travel Group.

What key messages do you try to convey in an agent visit?

With Uniworld being relatively new to the UK market, every visit gives me the opportunity to showcase what a truly unique brand we have. To cruise into the heart of a city, in a floating, six-star, boutique hotel is a truly magical way to see the world. Hopefully, my passion and enthusiasm for the product rubs off and leaves agents excited about what Uniworld can offer their customers.

What’s your advice for agents who don’t currently sell your product but are keen?

River cruise is on the cusp of something big in the UK – we are where ocean cruising was about 10 years ago. This is the time to become a river cruise specialist. Start by learning what river cruising is all about and utilising the excellent trade materials Clia has to offer. I conduct Uniworld webinars with the aim of bringing our unique product to life, so make sure you catch one of those. We also offer fantastic trade rates!

If you didn’t work in travel, what would you like to do instead?

Rachel works for Cancer Research and I have so much respect for people that work tirelessly for the good of others. I would like to think that if I wasn’t making people’s holiday dreams come true then maybe I would be doing some good by giving back to the world.