For the 54,000 people employed by Tui Travel globally, the career development opportunities are limitless. “The travel industry is very meritocratic,” says Jacky Simmonds, who has been group HR director since October 2010. “If you’re doing a good job, you tend to get noticed and opportunities will open up for you.”
The 5,300 high street agents, 1,300 call centre agents and 2,000 overseas reps employed by her company in the UK have some inspiring role models to follow. There’s Cheryl Powell, who started out as an apprentice in retail, rose up the ranks to become retail director for First Choice, and is now managing director of Tui Specialist & Activity business, Le Boat. Then there’s Ian Chapman, who started as a holiday rep and is now the holiday experience director for Tui UK & Ireland.
Follow the path
Apprentices are recruited to the company through a structured assessment, and with successful completion of the criteria over a two-year period, they can expect to be employed on a full-term contract. At this point, they can follow a well-structured retail career path, perhaps managing a smaller shop before tackling the challenge of a larger store. They can also branch out, into call centre roles and on-the-road sales jobs.
All vacant roles are advertised internally, but Simmonds says one of the biggest HR challenges is to make staff aware of the range of opportunities. “We are in the process of opening up our careers website so that it features global opportunities, because we want to actively encourage all staff to move around the business.”
This year a new initiative saw the company help a further 50 16 and 17-year-olds with their entry into full-time employment. With the support of Action for Employment, 50 youngsters were placed with JCA, one of Tui’s education and adventure brands.
At the more senior end of the company, development opportunities include assigning managers to new project work to stretch their capabilities and develop new skills. There’s also a mentoring programme, to ensure coaching and support for those who need it.
Face to face
Simmonds joined First Choice in 2000 as human resources manager. Before that, she worked for the National Magazine Company (Hearst Magazines). While the publishing and travel industries face different business challenges, she says there are similarities when you are focused on people’s needs.
Some of the programmes she implemented at Hearst, such as collaboration between magazines and the introduction of family-friendly working practices, she has adapted for Tui. She has progressively held senior positions across the mainstream sector and group, and as HR director of Tui UK & Ireland, Simmonds played a vital part in the integration of Thomson and First Choice in 2007.
As the combined UK business has evolved, she has encouraged a “huge effort” in internal communications through the Big Picture initiative: “We want to ensure all employees really understand the business strategy - where changes are being made and why they are being made.”
She has also instigated employee opinion surveys on a regular basis. “This way we can gauge opinion around the business, and implement action plans to address pressing issues.” She encourages Tui directors to regularly go out and meet employees face to face, “as that is our preferred channel of communication”.
With 22 years of HR experience under her belt, Simmonds has a wealth of advice to pass on. But what would be her first piece advice for a junior HR practitioner?
“Avoid jargon, use plain English and keep your strategy practical and pragmatic,” she says, with the knowing way of someone who has learned through experience.
