Based in the North East, Business Development Manager, Joe, enjoys getting out on the road and supporting organisations with their business travel programmes.
Tell us a bit about your career background
I’m based in Newcastle, and I’ve worked in the travel industry for 20 years – with 17 of those years being in corporate travel. I started at a train company and worked my way through a few travel management companies before landing at Travel Counsellors!
I’ve got great experience in winning business in the SME sector, but I’ve also won contracts up to £7m per annum. Some of the sectors I’ve covered include construction, engineering, pharmaceuticals and energy.
What attracted you to Travel Counsellors?
It was the team. I’ve realised as I’ve got older that who you work with is an important thing to consider when making career choices. I’d heard very good things about Travel Counsellors and the corporate team. Once I met them and started to discuss the opportunity, I knew it was the right place for me.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
I speak to companies with corporate travel needs, telling them about our story and the great work our Travel Counsellors do. I’ll then match the company with the right Travel Counsellor based on their individual needs.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love meeting new people. I’m very lucky that my role enables me to travel the UK and meet new people on a daily basis. I also love the culture here at Travel Counsellors. I’ve been in the industry a while now, and I’ve never been in a company with a culture anywhere near as good as this!
What do you like to do away from work?
I have two kids, so when I’m not being a taxi for them, I’m heavily involved in my kids’ junior football club – Hebburn Town Juniors. I’m also an avid Newcastle United fan and enjoy playing golf.
What challenges do you think businesses are facing when it comes to their travel management programmes?
I think that companies overestimate what an OBT (Online Booking Tool) will do. They think that if they get an OBT, all their travel problems will be solved and their spend will come down. Unfortunately, as good as OBTs are – including our own, they will still need a care-led offline team.
What do you think sets Travel Counsellors for Business apart from other TMCs?
Our Travel Counsellors. In sales, we need to tell a story, and thanks to our magnificent Travel Counsellors, we have lots of fantastic stories to tell.
What advice would you give to businesses who are looking for a corporate travel provider?
Pay attention to the reporting. It will tell you the story of a travel programme. If you set and manage a travel policy, you need to look at what your data is telling you as to whether your policy is fit for purpose, whatever your goal is.
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