I joined Travel Nation back in 2005. I took a break from my previous job to do some travelling, when I got back I knocked on our founder Haydn's door and he offered me a role at Travel Nation as a sales consultant. Having created over 2,500 incredible round the world adventures for our customers, I progressed through various roles before I became Managing Director overseeing our UK based team. I grew up in Farnham, then grew up a bit more in Sheffield. I now live out in the Sussex countryside with my wife Liz (who also works at Travel Nation) and our two children. Things I love are football, tennis, my local village pub, cycling, walking in the South Downs and growing a bit of veg!
Farnham. I then lived for 8 years in Sheffield, before heading back down south.
I studied Economics at Sheffield University, then followed that up with a Tourism Management Degree at Sheffield Hallam University.
I've now spent 20+ years working in our amazing and forever evolving travel industry. First of all I graduated from University in Sheffield, then spent 5 years as a manager at Flight Centre (UK). From there I went off on my own round the world travels for a year with my (wife to be) Liz, we flew south to Cape Town in the Autumn and followed the sun from there. We covered most of the southern hemisphere, including Africa, Australasia, the South Pacific and South America before settling down in Sussex.
Inspired by our own adventures, I joined Travel Nation when we got back in 2005 to specialise in creating round the world trips of a lifetime. I started off in our sales team for many years, I then trained our consultants and became a Director in 2016. As Managing Director I now oversee our UK operation. I'm a firm believer in our ethos that any itinerary is possible no matter how complex, and that travel done responsibly is an enriching force for good for communities around the world. It's one expense in life that will make you richer! As an independent company we're able to achieve this, and I ensure our teams have all the expertise and support they need to create these amazing itineraries for our customers.
Looking after the kids!
Well I've seen the Cure and Sigur Ros around 10 times each over the years, so must be one of those!
A tennis coach.
French Polynesia.
Namibia. I'd read it would be good before we went, but the stunning landscapes and endless night skies were experiences no travel guide can prepare you for! Though Tanzania is exceptional, I love it so much I've been back 4 times now! It just has everything including the best safari, diverse cultures, dramatic landscapes, idyllic Indian Ocean beaches and beautiful mountains. On my last trip I spent 8 days living above the clouds climbing Kilimanjaro with my son, a magical experience which I'll always cherish.
These days I unpack my bag!
Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), Pemba (Tanzania) or Anse Cocos (La Digue, Seychelles)
Probably Amini Maasai Lodge near Kilimanjaro, Tanzania for a unique experience. Or the rustic luxury of Manta Resort on beautiful Pemba. Both are incredibly special.
This is a tough one! A little corner of Mo'orea in French Polynesia, near Hauru Point overlooking the Motu, deep enough for swimming in the stunning lagoon with the rays. Spent 3 weeks by this same beach once, couldn't bear to leave! Though the beaches of Seychelles are stunningly beautiful, in particular Anse Cocos on La Digue, well worth the half hour trek to find this unspoilt, undeveloped and pristine paradise. However, if I had one day left on earth there's an idyllic sandbank near the Manta Resort on Pemba which takes some beating!
Easter Island.
Madagascar.
Waiting at the Greyhound Terminal in Compton, (LA), grim.
Randomly camping next to some customers I'd booked in Queenstown, NZ.
Cape Town.