Former Global director to head new division at Not Just Travel
Cherie Richards, who quit as Global director of commercial in May, has joined homeworking franchise Not Just Travel as chief business development officer.
When she left Global, where she’d spent 15 years, MD Andy Stark said she was ‘pursuing a new opportunity’.
Not Just Travel said Richards will create and lead a new division with a new offering designed to attract more agents, further details of which are being kept under wraps for the time being.
The company said her appointment was ‘one of many more to come’. In a release, it added: "In these tough times for our industry, as other companies are downsizing, Not Just Travel continues to invest heavily in the best people and systems to ensure they stay ahead of the game.
"Cherie’s initial task will be to strengthen all areas of the existing Not Just Travel franchise as she looks to overhaul, enhance and improve what is already a multi award-winning business model.
"Her goal is to help all our existing travel consultants generate more profit and provide an even better customer experience.
"This will be achieved through world class training and investment in our franchisees with a strong emphasis on personal development and customer retention."
Richards said: "Not Just Travel’s fresh thinking and entrepreneurial spirit are irresistible. I can clearly see that Not Just Travel is breaking into new territory with a bolder vision than any other I’ve seen. I simply have to be a part of it."
She will be responsible for recruitment, sales and marketing and the trade team. One of her projects will be to explore Not Just Travel’s offering to experienced agents as its original business model was designed for new-to-travel agents.
"I want to look at new initiatives for experienced travel agents, which is something [founders] Steve and Paul were looking at before I joined, but there are other opportunities around the corner," she said.
Co-founder Paul Harrison added: "Cherie’s appointment shows our confidence and commitment, in these harshest of times, as we further invest in our business and create a new vision for what will be the ‘new normal’ as our industry returns."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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