Ashley Averill has been part of Travel Counsellors for four years, bringing with her a background that gives her a strong understanding of how businesses really work.
“I started out in finance, which gave me a solid understanding of how things work behind the scenes,” she explains. “A couple of years ago, I moved into the corporate team as a BDM.”
In her role within Travel Counsellors for Business, Ashley works closely with SMEs across a wide range of sectors.
“I mainly look after SMEs in industries like oil, gas, marine, and entertainment, but I have clients across a wide range of sectors. Nothing is off the cards if we’re the right fit for each other.”
That adaptability is reflected in Ashley’s day-to-day role, where variety is very much the norm. “No two days are the same!” she says. “My day can include cold calling, email outreach, putting together proposals, supporting our Travel Counsellors, spotting opportunities to make things easier for clients, and keeping up with trends in corporate travel.
“Somewhere in between, I sneak in a couple of coffees, maybe a biscuit or two, and a quick LinkedIn nosey for outreach ideas and client updates.”
Through her regular conversations with businesses, Ashley has a clear picture of what clients are really looking for in a TMC.
“Clients want a TMC that makes their lives easier - someone who’s reliable, responsive, and gets their business,” she explains. “They want help managing complex international trips, clear reporting, and guidance on costs – as well as flexibility when things change unexpectedly.”
One experience that truly cemented Ashley’s belief in the value of a Travel Counsellor came during her own travels.
“I was travelling solo to Australia and booked my flights through a Travel Counsellor,” she recalls. “On my way back from Melbourne, my flight was delayed because a plane was stuck on the runway, which meant I would miss my connecting flight in Dubai.”
Arriving alone and unsure what would happen next, Ashley braced herself for disruption. Instead, she found everything had already been handled.
“When I landed in Dubai, I found that my Travel Counsellor had already sent me the details for my next available flight, booked me into a hotel for the night, and provided all the relevant information I needed to get back to Manchester, without me having to lift a finger or chase anyone down. That experience really highlighted the power of having a human, someone you can rely on when things go wrong, and the kind of peace of mind a Travel Counsellor provides.”
Helping Travel Counsellors to meet rising expectations around sustainability and duty of care is another key part of Ashley’s role.
“We make sure our Travel Counsellors have everything they need to guide clients on sustainable travel options, carbon reporting, and duty of care,” she says. “We even have an in-house sustainability expert who can step in when there’s a tricky question or to help build tailored solutions that suit the client.”
When it comes to traveller safety, robust systems ensure support is always close at hand. “We use myTC Locate to track travellers in real time, and our 24/7 team is always on hand to help if anything goes wrong.
As Ashley puts it, “We make sure clients and their teams can relax, knowing someone’s looking out for them. It’s all about making sustainability and safety practical, stress-free, and part of the way we travel, rather than extra work.”
For businesses thinking about switching TMCs, or using one for the first time, Ashley encourages them to look beyond cost alone.
“Don’t just chase the cheapest option. Find a TMC that really gets your business and your people,” she advises. “Look for someone who’s proactive, reliable, and can act as a true partner, not just a booking service.” Ultimately, she believes the right TMC relationship should feel seamless. “The right TMC should feel like they’re part of your team.”
For Ashley, the result of partnering with us is simple but powerful: “Clients get a true partnership rather than a transaction, with the reassurance of strong systems behind the scenes. It’s that mix of people, tech, trust, expertise, and flexibility that truly sets us apart.”
Keen to experience that difference for your business and your people? Get in touch today for a no-pressure chat with Ashley or one of our other experienced BDMs and see if we’re a great match for your business.
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