Tom’s early experience was in Tour Operation and Conference & Incentive Group Travel with a specialist Sport, Event and Groups Tour Operator. Starting as a trainee in 1977, Tom went on to become responsible for the group travel department before taking on the programme responsibility for airline and hotel product and purchasing carrying nearly 50,000 passengers overseas annually. Having risen to Director level and becoming a shareholder in the Company, Tom finally left the Company after 10 years to establish Group Promotions Ltd. Tom’s experience in hotel contracting as a Tour Operator was put to good use from the other side of the fence, providing a unique insight into the Sales & Marketing opportunities available to hotels. His many years in the industry have gained him numerous contacts and friends who are now the Captains of Industry in the UK and Europe.
Meet the team
Emma joined the Company in October 1999 having spent 8 years at SuperClubs. Emma has risen through the ranks and is now Company Director of Group Promotions, ensuring the smooth running of the Company together with making regular trips worldwide to represent the Company. Emma is heavily involved in fundamental decision-making and long term executive planning for our client partners.
Growing up in the family business, Gary went on to Kingston University in London where he graduated with a 1st in business studies and IT. Gary rejoined the business following his degree and now heads up our Retail Training Programme. Gary is also responsible for all IT development for the Company including our on-line training programme, booking engine, site development and reservations system.
Group Promotions handle's the reservations for our hotel partners, consumer, retail and from Tour Operators in our European & Asian territories. Julie heads up our accounting operation which includes Tour Operator billing on behalf of our resorts, credit control for our clients resorts and payments for all reservations. Julie and her team are responsible for On Time Receivables and the annual sales / marketing / advertising budgets on behalf of our clients.
On completion of her degree at Nottingham University, Lucy entered the travel industry as Product Executive at Caribworld. Lucy’s initial responsibilities with Group Promotions included contracts, brochure compilation, pricing analysis, web checks and much more. Following a fast track 5 years with the Company where Lucy excelled, she was swiftly promoted to General Manager and now plays a major role with our Hotel Owner's and CEO's - preparing annual / quarterly and monthly sales plans; updating on current market conditions and taking charge of the tactical arean for our Hotel clients to keep them present and competitive on a daily basis.
Jane Bolton joined us in 2007 in the role of Business Development for our hotel partners. Her brief includes all marketing and sales platforms where our partners can experience increased growth. Jane's previous history included Caribbean Product Manager at The Holiday Place - the UK’s leading independent online Tour Operator and 16 years in senior positions with major UK retail brands. Jane also heads up our Affinity Marketing Programme, marrying up high profile European brand partners with our hotels in joint marketing promotions.
Following Kerry's degree in Business Management at the University of Surrey, she graduated with a 2:1 ibefore joining The Grove Hotel & Spa. After a successful two years, she moved to Kerzner Interntaional's Sales & Marketing department, improving on an already solid grounding in the hospitality industry. Joining us in 2010 as an Account Executive, Kerry's responsibilities include market intelligence gathering, key account support in addition to reservations and liasing on a daily basis with both Tour Operators and consumers.
Sophie joined us in 2009 having successfully completed her marketing degree at Leeds Metropolitan University. Working closely with the general manager, Sophies day-to-day responsibilities include checking your brochure and web copy; pricing - including competitor analysis in print and online; marketing agreements with all of our European Operators and OTS's, as well as representing us at various consumer exhibitions and events throughout the Country.
On Time receivables has become a service of Group Promotions that hoteliers have fast become reliant upon. Shelly has recently joined us from the UK Hotel sector to assist in getting your receivables to you faster from our European Suppliers. Another very important Lady!
Gemma Bolt joined us in 2002 from the retail trade as a Sales Clerk with Going Places Travel Agency, a division of the Airtours / Thomas Cook Group. Gemma’s consumer experience has been of great benefit to her in her role as Reservations Executive at Group Promotions. Gemma overseas the daily reservation reports received at our offices from our key Tour Operator partners in the UK, Europe and Asia. Gemma also oversees the administration of wedding documentation on behalf of our Hotel partners.
Rachel joined Group Promotions having completed her Psychology Degree at Oxford Brookes University. As a member of our On Time Receivables team, Rachel will tell you that she is one of the most important people in the Company - she gets you your money on time. Absolutely right!
Karsten represents Couples Resorts in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He has been working for the last 20 years as Contracts Manager and Product Director for Major Tour Operators in Germany including ITS, Jahn Reisen and Tjaereborg. Karsten brings a wealth of experience in these important trading Countries and has a particularly strong relationship with the major Travel Agent retailling groups in German, Austria and Switzerland.
Puri Varela Martinez brings over 25 years of Airline experience to Group Promotions having worked in many departments of Iberia Airlines UK, from both Head Office in London and at Heathrow Airport. Puri heads up our Honeymoon Wishes account where she is responsible for increasing hotel and airline revenue through the World's Number 1 weddings and honeymoon registry - honeymoonwishes.com
Duncan MacArthur’s career spans over 30 years across Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia and Europe, working with some of the most prestigious global hotel corporations in the leisure industry. Focusing on hotel management and structure, his reputation is built on turning loss-making hotels and resorts into lean, profit making ventures through practical people centred solutions. By analysing the complex structures within the industry and helping our clients unlock the strategic value in their hotel, leisure and hospitality businesses, Duncan’s ability to install a workable, structured and profitable management and reporting framework ensures his experience is in great demand.