Sunshine.co.uk gives shares to finance chief after pre-tax profits hit one million
Online travel agency www.sunshine.co.uk has made its financial chief Zoe Stewart a shareholder after making pre-tax profits of over £1 million.
The Northumberland-based agency, formed by MD Chris Clarkson and technical director Alan Gilmour, became fully independent in November after leaving Hays Travel Independence Group.
Releasing its financial results today, sunshine.co.uk said sales last year topped £34 million and pre-tax profits hit £1 million from August 2012 to August 2013.
In the current trading year to December 31, passenger numbers have increased by 68%.
The agency said the success was largely down to the work of Stewart, who was appointed finance director in November 2011 following her departure from Hays Travel where she was financial controller.
"Zoe is an indispensable part of the team and has played a huge part in our financial successes; particularly over the last year," said Clarkson.
"Since making some changes within the company in 2012, the business has gone from strength to strength and we’re on track for another fantastic year financially. Zoe has been a key member of the team and we want to take this opportunity to thank her for all of her hard work so far. Offering share options to one of the people who has been integral to our success seemed like a very natural move."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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