James Beagrie

Managing Director

Our founder and MD James has over the last 30 years travelled extensively across the world for both business and pleasure. After co-founding and building one of Europe's most successful Travel Insurance and Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance Companies at 23, James topped off his Corporate career 15 years later as a Managing Director of Aon Risk Services UK Plc, the world's second largest Insurance Broker.

James sold his business and jumped the corporate ship in 2002. Further indulging his passion for travel by acquiring the Meon Travel agency business from First Choice Plc. In private hands since, the Group continues its relentless growth and enviable success with a global reach and unparalleled partnerships. As a keen pilot himself James' experience in Travel and the Emergency Assistance world is encyclopaedic and his passion... exhausting.

Favourite Destination: Pan Dei Palace, St Tropez

Karen Barnes

General Manager

General Manager and all-round problem solver, Karen manages the operational aspects of all the Meon divisions and has been at the heart of the company since joining as a saturday girl in the retail shop for her father, the then finance director back in 1978. Personnel, technology and supplier relationships consume most of Karens time but she still enjoys impulsively diving off to explore the latest hot destinations at the drop of a hat.

Karen has spent her life getting under the skin of the travel industry, understanding what makes things happen and how to create the unthinkable. Commercial savvy and a love for people and family mix to form a unique talent and an inspirational manager.

Favourite Destination: Al Maha nature resort Dubai

Sue Miller

Financial Controller

Sue heads up the finance team and has taken on the awesome responsibility of organising and restructuring the business to accommodate our relentless phased growth. Coming from a professional background at Vital signs and GE healthcare, Susan brings a new found discipline and fiscal prudence to a constantly evolving business with care and passion.

Favourite Destination: Banff, Canada

Colin Boddy

Quorn Business Travel General Manager

Colin was responsible for bringing QBT to the Meon family. He is one of the most resourceful, focused and passionate people in travel that one can ever have the privilege of working with. Whilst he's a technical wizard, this belies his talent to talk for England. If you ever need to understand how to get the best out of the travel industry, Colin's your man and a guiding light amongst friends, colleagues and competitors.

Favourite Destination: onboard a catamaran moored up at the K club in Barbuda

Natalie Straffon

Personal Assistant

Natalie joined the team in 2011 having taken on the horrendous task of looking after James! A dedicated mum and a thoroughly professional PA, Natalie oozes organisational skills and charm.

She has immediately demonstrated a spectacular talent for juggling priorities as well as teaching us all some fresh new IT skills.

Favourite Destination: Banff Springs Hotel, Canada

Sue Adams

Personal Assistant

Our very own Minister of Mischief - it should be in her job description. If a surgical wit and chocolate for bribery are legitimate business tools, Sue makes the assistant manager for Karen Barnes. Common sense is a pre-requisite and Sue brings a ton of commitment, experience and expertise to an often challenging and highly charged environment. She's great with people and drives efficiency, accuracy and support with a dedication to perfection and an infectious laugh.

Favourite Destination: Pigeon point, Tobago

Helen Noble

Accounts administrator

Helen's lovely demeanour and delightful warmth of presence hides a will of iron and persistence to get to the nub of any problem or any difficult challenge that balancing the books may throw at her. Charming and caring, Helen ensures that everybody she supports gets the job done with minimum fuss and a smile to accompany. A sheer delight to work with and a rare talent but quietly gets the job done without drama or distress. A very special person and we treasure her greatly.

Favourite Destination: Pollensa, Majorca

Penny Rodgers

Accounts administrator

Penny joined us in 2011 and has given a wonderful first impression and a lesson to all in attention to detail. She joins us from a career in the army followed by finance administration in a local Chichester business. Penny’s diligent approach and driven ambition to seek perfection in all she does is profound and compelling. Nothing misses her hawk eye gaze and nothing gets missed. A brilliant and focused administration guru.

Favourite Destination: Sipadan, Malaysia

Kristy Wilson Church

Team Leader

A total bundle of fun, she bounces round the office lighting up the day of every life she touches. Kristy has stepped up Team Leader and already made her mark with ideas and innovation, contributions to efficiency and a new fresh approach to age old challenges. Always keen, always fast and always with a smile, Kristy proves the work-happy model gets the best out of suppliers and clients alike whilst making life easier for all with her accuracy, detail and relentless energy. Who said Finance departments were boring?!

Favourite Destination: Buried in a book

Judy Richardson

Credit control

Judy can talk for England and she loves every client and understands every individual and all their businesses intimately. Judy's a very special person with a huge warmth of presence that can't fail to touch the heart of everyone she meets. She's a problem solver, a helping hand and genuinely gifted at understanding people. She lives for her family and her grandchildren and deserves special praise for how she keeps the wheels on the debtor book bus.

Favourite Destination: Kassioppi, Corfu

Anne Sanders

Assistant Manager - Finance

Anne has just joined the Accounts Department from an enviable career in the public sector. She is quietly intelligent with a wealth of experience in breaking down boundaries and driving efficiency. Anne’s deadly eye for detail together with her loving warm nature has ensured she fits in seamlessly with the team. Anne has a great understanding of professional process and we are looking forward to realising the benefits to what she brings to the party.

Favourite Destination: Scooter riding the South Shore Road, Bermuda

Lisa Barfield

Invoice Administration

Lisa has taken over the invoicing and admin in repats, her attention to detail is legend! Lisa always greets you with a smile and you know you can rely on her to get a job right first time. She truly cares about what she does, she is always in the office and she must never sleep! A real diamond gal!

Favourite Destination: Gran Bahia Principe Hotel, Riveria Maya, Mexico

Kevin Pugh

Business Travel Manager

Never quiet, never bored, never without his team around him, you never see the wood on his desk for the wealth of papers and notes from all the people he's helping, managing or helping manage.

If you cut Kevin's arm, he bleeds QBT and the team rely upon him. He understands people and has a profound knowledge second to none for airlines, fares and systems. Never known to drop the ball and often there to catch for others, his weekend escape is his Leicester City season ticket and his professionalism is legend. One of the best people to enjoy the good times with and you wouldn't want to face any crisis without him watching over.

Favourite Place: Darling Harbour, Sydney

David Frost

Senior Business Travel Consultant

David is a qualified referee and sits on the Leicester FA so he is fair, level-headed and thinks on his feet when sometimes under the most intense pressure. He loves the Far East and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Germany and has forged a lifetimes worth of friendships all around the world. David started in travel and has seen all the technology changes. He's steady, the first on the dance floor at a party, he's the bed rock upon which the reputation of the company relies and he loves his red wine.

Favourite Destination: San Francisco

Kevin White

Business Travel Manager

Our very own quote master. Kevin relishes the hardest job of managing work flow and yield. Getting the best from his team and bribing all with his wife's fabulous cooking where many a staff lunch has been lovingly supplied by Mrs W. Kevin's warmth of presence envelopes the office as a comfort blanket and his nurturing will and intelligence at how to fire up every consultants desire to do their best is a marvel. A master to learn from.

Favourite Place: New York

David Wheeler

Groups & Aviation Manager

A prolific writer and master of the English language, David's knowledge of routes, aircraft configurations and event destinations is the stuff of legend. He has a broad church of expertise having worked in the PR & events industry for many years, leading his own team and supporting individuals and event management companies finding exceptional value for all their corporate, conference and travel needs. From anywhere to anywhere in the world, juggling multi-national complex itineraries, David's mind works quicker than a computer and lives and breathes professionalism. Partial to a glass of red, David is a committed runner and a qualified Athletics coach.

Favourite Destination: The ridge path of the Malvern Hills

Steve Kershaw

Senior Business Travel Consultant

The office David Bailey! Steve loves his photography and loves his gadgets. Hope you like half the photo's on the website as he's responsible for quite a few! Everybody loves Steve, he's happy-go-lucky and always has a smile even in the most challenging times (snow crisis, volcanic eruptions, etc!) Steve is great on the phone and he enjoys a loyal customer following who wouldn't dream of having anyone else look after their hard-earned travel spend. Steve is guaranteed to brighten your day and lighten the load of any travel need.

Favourite Destination: Ayres Rock, Australia

Martin Kinton

Incentive retail consultant

Happily married to the lovely Steph, Martin is a Leicester city fan but this doesn't hold him back from seeking and booking the most obscure activities and fabulous venues for events, conferences and experiences ranging from power boat racing through wine tours and even cage diving with sharks off the coast of South Africa. Martin is a font of knowledge and opportunity from the sublime to the scary and he has an incredible knack for taking the hardship and expense out of any enquiry without losing an ounce of the mystery and satisfaction. Cool, calm, collected and courageous, Martin has a skill to inspire. If you ever want to motivate your staff with an incentive, you need to talk to Martin.

Favourite Destination: Sydney Opera House

Juliette Warrington

Incentive retail consultant

Juliette is a diamond. She makes the most fantastic cheesecake, runs an allotment, keeps 4 children in line and contributes as a fantastic team member with a wicked sense of humour. We will never tire of Juliette's great customer service skills and wonderful rapport with her clients.

Favourite Destination: Barbados

Shirley Williams

Senior business travel consultant

Always the first to volunteer when anybody needs support, the first when there's extra work to be done and the last to be dragged off the dance floor! Shirley helps out in other departments whenever needed and is a mine of knowledge, charismatic, dependable and happy to surprise with her depth of knowledge and attention to detail.

Favourite Destination: Itamambuca Eco Resort Island, Rio de Janeiro

Angela Stevenson

Business Travel Consultant

Angela is great fun to be around. She's bi-lingual and loves to use her Spanish at every given opportunity, she has an awesome attention to detail and will forever go the extra mile for her clients. Don't give her chocolate, she has an infectious giggle.

Favourite Destination: The Sunrise in Santa Eulalil, Ibiza

Tasnim Ghumra

Business Travel Consultant

Tasnim is a solid and dependable core team member. She specialises in oil and recruitment clients who are in awe of her speed to action and specialist fares knowledge. Quiet and reserved with a delightful smile, Tasnim is a rare treasure and a pleasure to work with.

Jane Cartwright-Sykes

Business Travel Consultant

A more thoroughly dedicated and talented professional you could not ask for. Jane loves the company and the company (and everyone in it) loves Jane. She has the patience of a saint and an insightful attention to detail. Jane will go overboard, above and beyond the call of duty for her clients, checking in, ensuring the right seats, sourcing the right meals, booking the best restaurants and securing the best rooms. Caring and responsible, there's a wealth of people who rely upon her. This added to a lovely warm nature, makes Jane a very special person.

Esther O'Regan

Business Travel Consultant

Scottish, fiercely patriotic, gifted and tenacious - it must be in the blood! Regularly travelling the country to visit friends and family and always, it appears, popping off to Dubai with her husband. Esther won't let go when she knows what her clients need and she'll fight tooth and nail to get all you want from your travel. Value, comfort, security and speed all come as second nature.

Favourite Destination: Jumeirah Beach, Dubai

Rebecca Eversfield

Business Travel Consultant

Becs can eat for England and heaven knows how she stays so slim, it must be her metabolism! Becs is our very own home-grown talent and an absolute gem of a travel consultant. Quick on the uptake, spirited and lively with an infectious bubbly personality, it almost hurts seeing someone so good doing so well for her treasured clients.

Favourite Destination: The Maldives

Tamara Rhategan

Business Travel Consultant

Tamara loves her freaky tea (Redbush) She deals with some of the most demanding client deadlines so how she does this without caffeine we've no idea! Tamara is thoroughly dependable, hard working, refreshingly honest and open. A good natured, dog loving star!

Favourite Destination: Langebaan Lagoon, Cape Town

Kelly Robinson

Business Travel Consultant

Kelly is sparky and honest. She loves being good at her job and we love it too. Kelly can turn a hand to most needs in the office and she's always up for a challenge whether it's work or entertaining little daughter Daisy. A gem!

Favourite Destination: Mauritius

Julie Moore

Business Travel Consultant

Having joined us from a great grounding at the Co-op, Julie is a good solid fun and lovely person. We first met her many moons ago on an educational in Mexico and we wanted her to join the team ever since. She's got great attitude, she's always up for a challenge and first to volunteer whenever extra help is needed. She has excelled as a business champion within the team and offered great guidance and counsel with common sense and commercial savvy at all levels of the business.

Favourite Destination: The Fontana Bar at The Bellagio

Kelly Doherty

E-commerce & IT support

Kelly is our very own in-house IT queen. She's thorough, methodical, hugely talented and creative. Kelly enjoys an intimate understanding of best process and how to blend this with technology that works. In this ever growing environment of e commerce Kelly’s knowledge of self booking tools and white label technology delivering greater control and cost transparency to tech savvy businesses is now legend. She galvanises a perfect blend of talent and technology with a human touch and warmth of emotional intelligence.

Favourite Destination: Home

Paul Thompson

Account Manager

How do you get 'dude' and 'gifted professional' in the same sentence?! The downside is he supports Liverpool but we forgive him that as he happens to be a talented all round sportsman himself!

Paul is handy on the football pitch, good with a cricket bat and beats all challenges on the badminton court. This competitive spirit drives a tech savvy people person with thorough organisational skills and a deep seated command of travel. If you need something from the business, Pauls finger is always on the pulse.

Favourite Destination: Perth, Australia

Linda Allen

Accounts

In loving memory of our lovely friend and colleague who sadly passed away on December 4th 2011.

Linda was the backbone of the accounts department in Leicester and had been with the company since 1999.

We will miss her laughter, her cheerfulness and her caring soul, her memory will always be in our hearts.

Lisa Evans

Assistant Manager – Finance

Lisa is qualified, professional, gifted and thorough. She joined us from an accounting practise on a temporary basis but we refused to let her go - she's that good! Lisa brings a discipline and sense of urgency to delivering results that astounds the best of us and is great for keeping us on our toes. Enthusiasm, charm and talent when mixed with a lovely nature provides a compelling cocktail.

Favourite Destination: Orlando, Florida

Josef Stevenson

Business Travel Consultant

Talk about hit the ground running! You would not believe he only just joined us as a trainee this year and has fast tracked his skills to consultant level. He's picked up rail and has a speed to action far beyond his years. As long as we don't burn him out this one is going to be a keeper and the boy will go far!

Annabel Dargie

Trainee

Having just joined us a trainee, Annabel brings a bright and bubbly enthusiasm to everything she is tasked with. The whole team are impressed with her thorough and efficient ethic and we are all looking forward to seeing her develop within the business.

Tracey White

Business Travel consultant

Honest, reliable and hard working, Tracey is an absolute diamond. A steady pair of hands in a crisis mixed with a breadth of experience, the envy of many. Tracey is a great support to all the team and invaluable.

Kay Phillips

Administration

Kay drives the invoice department and ploughs through an awesome volume of work with a cheery smile and never missing a deadline. Always on hand with tea and sympathy if needed, the wheels would grind to a holt without her. Recently married and a bundle of joy at any gathering. Kay’s smile lights up the building with life affirming warmth.

Sandy Page

Business Travel consultant

New to QBT having joined us from Co-op travel services, Sandy has fitted into the team exceptionally well. She's a no fuss, no nonsense, all guns blazing travel specialist who startled us with her speed and how she hit the ground running to the sheer delight of her clients and colleagues. Sandy has impressed us with her get-go from the outset and we look forward to nurturing her skills and sharing in the fulfilment of a great job done well.

Favourite Destination: Vegas baby!

Natalia Boddington

Nat has been in travel for 25 plus years having worked for the rest and now working for the best. The first word that comes to mind is ‘lovely’. Nat’s quiet until you know her, easy going by nature and gets on with simply everyone. She is industrious thorough and tidy and personifies the perfect professional package. Nat has two young boys who together with their Italian father Gabriel are the passion of her life. She enjoys family and fun and is always on an even keel.

Favourite Destination: Dubai

Sarah Bland

Best friend with our Becs, Sarah is a great listener who cracks on with the job, takes everything on board and loves to pick up new skills she is dedicated enough to move half way across the country for her work and is one to always look on the positive side and see the best in any situation.

Sarah does a great posh telephone voice and frustrates us all with her ability to eat for England yet never gain a pound. Our very own rising star, Sarah is recently married and can shop 24/7 in her favourite destination.

Favourite Destination: Top of the ‘Rock’, New York City

Jude Wakefield

Repatriations Manager

Jude, with over 15 years leisure and business travel experience joined Meon Repats in 2003 and quickly established a reputation as a thorough all rounder with an amazing knack for getting the most distant carriers to deliver client needs and emergency support under the most extreme and difficult circumstances. Jude comes in to her own in the toughest situations with an intuitive skill for containing crisis blended with common sense when sense is not always common. A committed team player, driven and focused, Jude is one who leads by example and always delivers. Oh, and if there's a party... Jude's the one in the middle of the dance floor swinging her arms in the air.

Favourite Destination: White Hart Lane

Sheelagh Bazen

Repatriations Manager & Mentor

With a huge wealth of experience running teams in the airline reservations sector, Sheelagh brings expansive knowledge and a vast catalogue of travel skills to the benefit of all around her. A great source of informed tried and trusted knowlege with an exceptional talent for drawing the best most professional performances from her team. Sheelagh is a rock upon which the foundations of integrity and professionalism continue to be built.

Favourite Destination: Home with a fine wine

Kirsty McDonald

Repatriations consultant & Trouble shooter

With 12 years at Carllson Wagonlit culminating in managing the platinum team responsible for the personal travel for senior board members of the largest and most demanding multinationals, Kirsty understands all about attention to detail. Kirsty is responsible for training together with the systems and procedures that accompany the increasing demands of managing and institutionally sharing knowledge. Greatly respected initially as a trouble shooter through all departments with the challenges that accompany exponential growth the word 'no' simply doesn't exist in her vocabulary and Kirsty is relentless in the pursuit of nurturing talent. Kirsty has been instrumental in the development of the meon knowledge bank.

Favourite Destination: Moon Palace, Cancun

Faye Tosdevine

Repats Shift Leader

A local Petersfield girl, Faye has just returned to the Repats team after going travelling for 4 months. Faye brings a bright, bubbly enthusiasm and infectious fun nature to all around. Adept at digging out the best fares for the diverse needs of the emergency medical assistance sector, Faye's intimate understanding of leisure destinations gives her a natural flare and empathy for understanding client's needs when they are stuck in resort.

Favourite Destination: Anguilla

Hiba Nassif

Repats consultant

Independent and totally committed to what it takes to be a brilliant repats consultant, Hiba buries herself in caring for the intimate detail of repatriation planning. Demonstrating knowledge way beyond her years. Originating from the Lebanon, Hiba thrives on the challenge to go one step beyond the norm and she is our very own Gold Medallist, racing to the phone to help with whatever calls. Whatever she does Hiba wants to do well and she cares - it's what makes her so special. We love her.

Favourite Destination: a night out in London

Claire Reid

Repats consultant

Specialising in out of hours and nights cover, Claire is the model of service perfection personified. Prompt, proficient and caring, Claire commands a huge wealth of respect from her colleagues in coping with the most demanding and sensitive needs at the most delicate of times. When you need a friendly voice on the end of the phone, she's the best.

Favourite Destination: ...

Deborah Cooke

Repats Team Leader

Deborah loves her children, they come first. So in a family business, she's the perfect embodiment of the values we cherish. Repats is all about care and speed to resolution in a highly charged and sensitive emergency need. Above all we care and Deborah proves the point with focus of attention and call to action as a pre-requisite to an exceptional repatriations consultant and leader giving the best of travel and galvanising a team with talent.

Favourite Destination: St Lucia

Zahra Russell

Repats consultant

Zahra joined us from the airline sector having worked as cabin crew and travelled extensively, this has given her a unique perspective on assistance travel booking from frontline experience. A great people person with a wonderful warmth of personality and a helpful nature derived also from exceptional customer service skills, Zahra oozes an infectious personality and knows just how to get that last seat on that wait-listed flight back home.

Favourite Destination: Borneo

Michelle Potter

Repats consultant

Michelle brings a happy delightful bounce to every working shift. She's versatile, experienced and staggeringly capable at digging the best out of systems and airlines at the most testing times. Michelle is always the first to offer support and the last to leave the bar! She enjoys a broad church of experience in leisure, business and repatriations and brings comfort to all when results are required within the most challenging deadlines.

Favourite Destination: New Zealand

Lauren Hayman

Repats consultant

Still young but experienced beyond her years. Lauren enjoys a wicked sense of humour. She's an open book, funny, and had a great rapport with clients. This demonstrates a profound customer experience and interpersonal communication talent that enables her to exploit her extensive knowledge with smart, accurate and informative support. Lauren is a good strong team member.

Favourite Destination: ...

Sara Chennell

Repats consultant

Strong-willed and loyal, Sara is Travel Bag trained with fabulous long haul knowledge and disciplined ticketing skills. Her friendly nature belies a steely determination of a driven specialist whom you can't fail to get on well with. She has us in stitches.

Favourite Destination: Malaysia

Tasha Barfield

Repats Consultant

Tash has excelled herself with youthful enthusiasm and a knack for picking up training on the front line of a business where the need is always immediate. She's picked up the travel systems intuitively and her eagerness to please is infectious.

Quietly determined where nothing is a drama, she's great at getting the job done with a subtle efficiency.

Favourite Destination: Riviera Maya, Mexico

Christine Millson

Repats Consultant

Young and full of joy Christine's background at Thomson's has proved a real asset from the get go. She's destination aware, understands quality, has great discipline and what she doesn't know about tour operators, charters and low cost carriers isn't worth knowing. Christine is the first one to tackle a challenge, she's super enthusiastic, super chatty and a lovely person.

Favourite Destination: Great Barrier Reef

Katie Barnes

MFC Airline Helpdesk Team Leader

A whirlwind the new Airline Helpdesk and a delight to have bounding around the office with relentless energy. Katie's attention to detail and startling emotional intelligence give her a great head start in dealing with people initially on the technical services and motor breakdown side of the business and now heading up a young a spectacularly dynamic MFC Helpdesk team. She's got a great future ahead of her and she's already skilled at bossing us all around. A cocktail of sheer joy, driven ambition and a sparkling of talent.

Favourite Destination: The Four Seasons Bora Bora with the Kardashians!!

Tracy Woodward

Repats Consultant

Tracey has an awesome reputation for super efficiency. She's lovely and chatty with one of those positive wits that endears you while you laugh. She asks the right questions, is keen to learn and sparklingly quick on the uptake. Tracey's computer tech savvy will serve her well as she picked up the travel systems and her fab phone manner has won over our clients from the outset.

Favourite Destination: Barcelona

Melanie Fletcher

Repats Consultant

Mel joins us from the cruise sector. She is well travelled, having recently been to China, Thailand, Australia and India – where does she find the energy? Mel’s enthusiasm for the role and determination to provide great service to clients has made her popular with us all. She is bubbly and loves a challenge as well as a party – so she is in the right place!

Favourite Destination: Thailand

Vicky Edgar

Repatriation Consultant

Vicky returns to us after a brief period up in London. We are thrilled to have her back. She is a safe pair of hands and has a deep understanding of assistance travel matched with a broad church of experience in small and large TMCs. Vicky is relentlessly enthusiastic and never let’s go of a problem until it’s resolved. We love her surgical wit and wicked sense of humour . . . and her spirited dancing!

Favourite Destination: The Met Bar

Emma Gray

Repats Consultant

Emma has over 7 years travel experience, having worked overseas for 5. She has a lot of experience in the luxury travel industry and has proven to be intuitive, hardworking and enthusiastic about everything she does. Her confidence with clients on the phone leaves them feeling reassured and comforted when most in need. We’re simply in awe. A real catch and we are thrilled to have her on board.

Favourite Destination: Phuket

Sam Howick

This is Sam’s first office experience and he’s learning to cope with a predominantly female environment. He is young, enthusiastic, enjoys the job and dealing with customers. We are looking forward to developing his multitasking skills. Great potential and a nice guy with the right attitude.

Favourite Destination: On a football pitch

Sammy Tayler

Repats Consultant

Seasonal support Sammy is technically brilliant. Currently studying for a law degree, she instantly hoovers up knowledge and both service and systems skills and loves dealing with people. She’s the first to dive on the phone and the first with practical advice and maturity way beyond her years. A tough cookie with a tender spirit.

Favourite Destination: Nikki Beach, Marbella

Chris Lima

Out of hours helpDesk Manager

Chris launched Meon Out Of Hours Helpdesk and subsequently fast-tracked through team leader to taking the helm as Manager by virtue of her intuitive and diligent knack for problem solving. Building upon a broad church of talent within a team, and her historic experience in Emergency assistance which is legend, Chris loves people and lives the 'work hard, play hard' Aussie ethic. Totally committed, she throws herself whole heartedly into both work and play. Chris intuitively manages the front line support of the Helpdesk with determination and industry leading skill, protecting the clients and reputation of some of the smartest and best specialist TMCs in the country.

Favourite Destination: Tuk Tuk Racing through Bangkok

Alison Brimson

Out of hours Account Manager

Alison joined us 2 years ago in the Out Of Hours helpdesk as Account Manager once we passed the £350 million mark. She's professional and thorough and has a huge wealth of travel knowledge from corporate management roots for both small independent and large multinational experience. On top of all she's charming and knows how to get what our clients need from our business so she commands the respect and authority of all around her even if she is a little accident prone!

Favourite Destination: Tuscany

Debra Morris

Out of hours Team Leader

Debra has recently been promoted to out of hours team leader having demonstrated her professional integrity and prowess in a very short space of time. She's brassy, brummy and always giving. Totally dedicated to helping other, Debs loves her clients, she's the joker of the pack in our team and she lives for her boys at home. She's a great asset to our clients and therefore the business.

Favourite Destination: Hong Kong

Gary Lovatt

Out of hours consultant

A remarkably hard working colleague who will always go the extra mile. He's supportive, he's one of life's most colourful personalities and loves to party! Garry has an incredible comforting way about him and will stick with a customer until their need is fixed. He takes great pride in his work and we can't get enough of him.

Favourite Destination: Barcelona

Justin Gowing

Out of hours consultant

Quiet and unassuming, Justin is thoroughly focused and a voice of calm in any crisis where organisation, speed and skill are a pre-requisite. A lateral thinker and problem solver when there's a need from abroad, Justin's the man to fix it.

Favourite Destination: Machu Picchu, Peru

Michelle Thomas

Out of hours consultant

Michelle comes from a hugely experienced background having previously worked for both small and large travel business. Michelle is thoroughly professional and has a deadly eye for detail. She's a welcome addition to the team and we enjoy every moment working with her.

Favourite Destination: Santorini, Greece

Donna Bentley

Out of hours consultant

Having joined us in 2011 Donna is a lovely, modest but fun-loving individual with an eye for the arts. She loves the theatre, crime thrillers and the world of travel, second only to her little boy Sammy. The calm in a storm, Donna oozes an ease of serenity about her and this comes across in calming the most stressful times for those who savour her help and assistance.

Favourite Destination: San Francisco

Jenny Senter

Out of hours consultant

Nick named 'The Whippet' as she simply won't rest until she gets the answer she needs and the job she wants done. Jenny's a pet lover with a dog the size of a horse. Hard working and supportive, Jenny will never let you down and is thorough in delivery and professional to the core.

Favourite Destination: Sailing the Greek Islands

Carole Goldthorpe

Senior Leisure Consultant

Senior Consultant Carole joined us 2 years ago having previously owned a chain of travel agents up in Yorkshire together with her husband. Carole moved to the area in order to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren and having now sold the family business, just couldn't keep herself away from travel! Addicted to helping people realise their dreams with a tremendous broad church of personal knowledge on a wealth of destinations around the globe, Carole is our most experienced and highly regarded luxury travel expert. For personal advice, the best hotels and the best tables at the most delicious restaurants around the globe simply call our Carole, she's a gem.

Favourite Destination: South Africa

Angela Hallett

Administrations manager

Angela lives near Petersfield with Husband Pete. Having decided never to work in an office, she set out on her first world tour and got as far as Switzerland before feeling homesick. After two years as crew on a private yacht, sailing all ports sunny, Angela succumbed to joining Meon Travel for 7 years to combine work and pleasure. Having travelled extensively since and specialised in retail sales, escorted wildlife holidays and conservation, Angela now holds the administration together for our wealth of independent travel consultants dotted around the country.

Favourite Destination: Mustique

Laura Elleker

Leisure Consultant

Trainee consultant Laura is bright, enthusiastic and we have great hopes and expectations for her future in leisure travel. She currently assists both independent consultants and staff in all administrative matters and she's a whizz at finding tickets and information and steering people to the right consultant for best advice. A lovely bright cookie with a wicked sense of humour, we hope you will love her like we do.

Favourite Destination: New York

Laura Cummins

Leisure Manager

Laura comes from an Independent Travel Consultant background having worked in both retail and tour operations for over 17 years. Laura has travelled the world exhaustively from Europe, the Far East, Australia, North and South America and both lived and worked in South Africa and New Zealand. Much as she is the devoted mother, she still miraculously finds the time to escape herself, so feel free to give her a call for the inside track on the right adventure, the right escape or the best bar for a sun-downer.

Favourite Destination: South Africa

Louise Muldoon

Leisure Consultant

Louise joins us from Virgin Holidays. She is a great mum and her children constantly remind her that they come first. Louise is bright bubbly and vivacious, she is well travelled and this shows in her boundless energy and enthusiasm for the business. She is a thoroughly professional package who knows her stuff, is brilliant at her job and fantastic at seeking out special locations. She also owns the most fab pair of Jackie O sunglasses!

Favourite Destination: Santorini

David O’Donnell

Leisure Consultant Specialist

David joins the new contact centre from Luxury Cruise Specialist Planet Cruise. He brings a wealth of experience and his knowledge of the quality travel market is legend. If you ever need a master class in spectacular holiday locations Davis is your man. Dedicated to his family and an all round great guy, David has astounded us all on how quickly he hit the ground running lending unique support to travelling clients and the team alike.

Favourite Destination: Horse shoe Bay, Bermuda

Nicola Walters

Marketing Executive

Nicola started in the 'colouring in' department for a northern based air conditioning company and quickly rose through the ranks gaining the respect of all for her smart marketing skills and bright mind.

She gained a passion for travel in the marketing department at Carnival Cruises and a vast experience of the luxury end of travel at value. Used to hard tasks and imminent deadlines, Nicky oozes creative flare and has an eye for a bargain. Add this to systems knowledge and an eye for design and you have the recipe for the perfect Marketing Exec. Her two boys and husband keep her busy enough but as the saying goes, when you want something done - ask a busy person!

Favourite place: Borneo

Belinda Brendon

Independent Travel Consultant

Travel is my hobby, my career and my passion!

I was lucky enough to travel as a child on some of the early European package holidays in the 70's which sometimes resembled a Carry On film when the hotel wasn't quite finished or the airport terminal built! As a family we graduated to Freddie Laker flights to America and I was bitten by the travel bug. I met my husband travelling and took my daughter on her first trip aged 3 months old.

My personal travel background encompasses many different styles of travel. I have travelled solo, in groups, with friends, family, babies and children. I have inter-railed through Europe, star gazed in Egypt, camped in Africa, backpacked through Indonesia, trekked the Inca Trail, and sailed down the Amazon. I have enjoyed Indian Homestays, Archaeological Cruises and luxury Caribbean hotels. Of course, I have also had my share ofMediterranean beach holidays, plenty of city breaks and a stint at Euro Disney too!

With 18 years experience in the travel industry, let me help you plan and book your next trip. I am an expert in navigating through the many options available in order to find your perfect holiday. As an Independent Travel Consultant I am not tied to a particular tour operator and can therefore offer you the widest choice of travel plans. I am an ideas person and can make a travel notion come to life!

As part of the Meon Valley Travel Group and with the buying power of the Advantage Group I can select the best deals to the best destinations, find the most competitive airfares and tailor-make a trip that suits your requirements.

My focus is on customer service, organising the right trip for you then dotting the i's and crossing the t's - booking a restaurant for a special birthday or VIP lounge at the airport.

So whether it's a trip to Australia, a family summer break or a long weekend in Paris, I can offer you choice, guidance and great value!

I look forward to your call or email.

Favourite travel quote: 'Just Go!' - Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet travel guides.

Lisa Bishop

Independent Travel Consultant

Providing amazing holidays and exceptional customer service has always been easy. Working out how to continue working within the travel industry with 2 young children was significantly harder!

With a background of corporate hospitality, I graduated into travel in 2001. Instantly loving the buzz and firmly knowing my experience of personal travel and arrangement making would create my ultimate career. I have travelled to many destinations throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Nepal, Canada and the USA. For me, the thrill of working in travel is not just about the places I have seen, it's the about the places I can help you see!

I have always prided myself on working for first class companies. Companies that go the extra mile. Provide an elite service and really know how to meet the demands of the client. Working from home with Meon Valley Travel has exceeded my expectations on every level. I look forward to doing the same for you.

If it's a flight required or a bespoke travel itinerary, you can be assured of the best prices and unsurpassed service. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than ensuring your travel arrangements are seamless and stress free.

Lyn Moses

Independent Travel Consultant

Travel has been my one and only job for over 30 years and the enjoyment I get from organising travel arrangements does not fade with time. I pride myself in the ability to ensure that all my customers receive impartial advice combined with a flexibility to suit all needs.

I have always felt that customers deserve peace of mind in having a personal travel advisor who is dedicated to deliver a professional service but with a personal touch and who will take care of all aspects of their arrangements down to the very last detail.

I have travelled extensively throughout the world in my career and have a wealth of knowledge which is passed on with pleasure to clients. Whether it be for a long-haul planned itinerary, family holiday or scheduled airfares I will offer an exceptional standard of service. One phone call or e-mail will ensure I find your ideal holiday or flight and as Meon Valley Travel are part of the Advantage Group they are dedicated in obtaining the very best prices for their customers which are passed on to me.

Steph Townend

Contact Centre Manager

Larger than life, bubbly vivacious and spectacularly good at what she does, Steph sets the standard for what defines an exceptional talent. Her clients aren’t loyal they’re addicted! Steph has an awe inspiring knack for totally understanding what you need from a holiday and delivering it at simply unbelievable value; she astounds even our own staff, who turn to her for their own bookings. Worldly travelled with a taste for adventure, a command of luxury and a palate for champagne. Discussing Holidays with Steph is a master class in travel. Steph has recently established the new contact centre for white label affinity partner travel fulfilment and builds a team in her own image around her.

Favourite Destination: Laluna, Grenada

Sam Harms

MFC Airline Helpdesk Consultant

Sam joins the MFC team from start up. He has already proven to be a rising star with a natural gift for training and developing his fellow colleagues; Sam is calm in a storm and can bring joy to any situation. He is thoroughly professional as well as being able to convey his warm personality through the phone when helping customers.

Favourite Destination: Bed

Sarah Goddard

MFC Airline Helpdesk Consultant

Sarah has just finished uni and justifies our faith in graduate trainings. She is a bright cookie and has hit the ground running in the department. She is quiet but quick on the uptake and her lovely manner with people compliments her emotional intelligence with empathy and enthusiasm. A very popular addition to the team.

Favourite Destination: Santa Barbara, California

Vicky Harvey

MFC Airline Helpdesk Consultant

Vicky is at Uni studying Physiotherapy and is currently splitting her time between Meon and her studies before she progresses her internship overseas. Vicky’s professionalism and maturity uplifts the mood in the office, Vicky’s and her infectious personality helps bind the team together.

Favourite Destination: Samos, Greece

Emily Simmance

MFC Airline Helpdesk Consultant

Emily is one of the original team members from when the MFC Airline Helpdesk department first started up. She has a background in the hotel sector but is new to travel procurement. She has already shown us that she has a great talent, is great with people and has a deep empathy for what she does. Emily is always happy; she has a lovely smile and quietly gets on with the job in hand. Nothing is too much trouble; we love hotel training when it comes to quality service and care – it produces some awesome people like Emily.

Favourite Destination: Lake Garda, Italy

Lesley Reeves

Independent Consultant Owner – Southsea @21

Our shop doesn’t look like a normal travel agency ...and we’re not. SouthseaTravel@21 is home to Independent Travel Consultants specialising in tailor-made travel, independent tours & out of the ordinary requests. SouthseaTravel@21 consultants don’t just ‘hand out brochures’ but use their combined 30+ years of experience to search for that perfect experience to suit all budgets. SouthseaTravel@21 is part of the Meon Valley Travel Group and as such, has a vast network of small independent operators who share SouthseaTravel@21s’ ethical values and underline the commitment shown by our consultants to offer a truly personal service.

SouthseaTravel@21 consultants specialise in the following:

Tailor made Holidays: both long & short haul, first, business, premium economy & economy travel, villa rentals, hotels, cottages, self catering, cruises, weddings & honeymoons, winter sports,

Tours & packages: Family adventures, walking, equine, diving, wildlife, adventure & safaris, wine & gastronomy, rail, cycling, archaeological, spas & retreats, sailing/boating/cruising

SouthseaTravel@21 consultants are all self-employed, so we need you to be 100% satisfied! Repeat business & word of mouth is by far the best way to build up a loyal client base & this is what we strive for. www.southseatravel.co.uk

Favourite Destination: Thailand... but off the beaten track!

Ed Texier

Independent Travel Consultant

Our shop doesn’t look like a normal travel agency ...and we’re not. SouthseaTravel@21 is home to Independent Travel Consultants specialising in tailor-made travel, independent tours & out of the ordinary requests. SouthseaTravel@21 consultants don’t just ‘hand out brochures’ but use their combined 30+ years of experience to search for that perfect experience to suit all budgets. SouthseaTravel@21 is part of the Meon Valley Travel Group and as such, has a vast network of small independent operators who share SouthseaTravel@21s’ ethical values and underline the commitment shown by our consultants to offer a truly personal service.

SouthseaTravel@21 consultants specialise in the following:

Tailor made Holidays: both long & short haul, first, business, premium economy & economy travel, villa rentals, hotels, cottages, self catering, cruises, weddings & honeymoons, winter sports,

Tours & packages: Family adventures, walking, equine, diving, wildlife, adventure & safaris, wine & gastronomy, rail, cycling, archaeological, spas & retreats, sailing/boating/cruising

SouthseaTravel@21 consultants are all self-employed, so we need you to be 100% satisfied! Repeat business & word of mouth is by far the best way to build up a loyal client base & this is what we strive for. www.southseatravel.co.uk

Russell Macgregor

Independent Travel Consultant

Hi, I'm Russell and I have recently joined the Meon Valley Travel family as an Independent Travel Consultant. I'm based on the Isle of Wight and with over 20 year's experience in the travel industry I can offer a service that is not only professional and knowledgeable, but with an added personal touch of value.

Whether you are looking for multi-centre, a tailor made holiday or a more conventional escape, I have all the right valuable contacts with the best hotels and sources affording me access to great deals and offers and the added bonus of specialist expertise and personal advise at your command.

I enjoy finding the best for clients whom I regard as friends and I love to provide exceptional customer service as a prerequisite. Whilst sharing the wealth of knowledge I have gathered I treasure the great feedback too, so thank you and dont stop! Coming back and sharing your great experiences makes it all worth while.

I have visited too many European destinations to count but the Canary Islands has to be a firm personal favourite. I have explored the Caribbean extensively and can’t wait to revisit Trinidad & Tobago. For the States, the right Orlando experience is a must for the family even down to the best shows I can tell you all about. As a keen golfer I love working my handicap abroad given any excuse. I have visited & played so many of the beautiful courses in Southern Spain and enjoy creating some fabulous Golfing Itineraries for friends and groups. You just let me know when you need an inspirational destination!

If you are looking to get away now or in the future, please feel free to contact me by phone or email to discuss your travel requirements.