Your data is safe with us. To find out more about how JacTravel will use and store your email data go to our Terms and Conditions page.
Your data is safe with us. To find out more about how JacTravel will use and store your email data go to our Terms and Conditions page.
Your data is safe with us. To find out more about how JacTravel will use and store your email data go to our Terms and Conditions page.
Your data is safe with us. To find out more about how JacTravel will use and store your email data go to our Terms and Conditions page.
We’re proud of our diverse culture at JacTravel. Within our business and the wider world of WebBeds there are over 50 different languages spoken globally in a number of different office locations. Our team is made up of office-based, hybrid and remote workers with a very high level of satisfaction in their working environment.
Working at JacTravel can offer a great first step into the travel industry with opportunities to learn about travel markets throughout the globe, other travel companies as our clients, and a wide span of suppliers in hospitality.
Managing Director
Managing Director
Karen has over 25 years’ experience in the travel industry with specific expertise in the tour operating sector. As part of JacTravel’s management team since 2004, Karen has built her career through the evolution of the JacTravel brand, moving to the role of Managing Director in 2018 with full responsibility across the UK, Ireland, and Europe.
Away from the office, and when not spending time with her young family, Karen can be regularly seen treading the many networks of paths throughout Edinburgh training for her latest challenge. She combines her love of running and travel to enter many endurance events throughout the globe.
Director of Sales + Key Accounts
Director of Sales + Key Accounts
Andy’s wealth of travel experience began in 1994, eventually joining JacTravel 8 years’ later. Leading our Sales and Key Accounts divisions, Andy’s role focusses on the commercial development of the relationships with our existing client base as well as looking to grow it within existing and new source markets. Andy focusses on working with his team to understand the unique needs of each of our clients.
Away from the office, Andy enjoys introducing his young family to the joy of discovering new destinations around the world. He is able to combine this passion with a love of following Scotland’s sporting teams, as well as enjoying playing football, hill walking or mountain biking locally.
Director of Contracting + Operations
Director of Contracting + Operations
Andrew’s working life in travel began in 1983. Thanks to rich global experiences since, most notably in Asia and throughout Europe, he has fostered a deep passion for meeting people and experiencing new cultures.
Andrew’s journey took him to JacTravel in 2010 as General Manager. His current role sees him oversee the development of the best possible relationships with our suppliers whilst ensuring our operation team deliver a high-quality experience for all visitors to our destinations. He is ideally placed as a non-executive director of UK Inbound to work with other members of the industry to represent the best interests of those visitors and our sector.
Andrew recommends a visit to Tuscany as his essential holiday destination. His advice is to always research the trip in advance to make the most of your experience, but he is also a great advocate of knowing when to stop and simply enjoy the moment.
When not at work Andrew can be found scaling the hills throughout the UK, sailing or relaxing to music.
Senior Head of Operations
Senior Head of Operations
After coming over to London from Italy to live in 1998, Paolo eventually joined JacTravel in 2010. As our Senior Head of Operations, Paolo leads teams in Edinburgh, London and Dublin – overseeing a high quality experience to all of our visitors throughout Europe. Available around the clock, seven days a week, the Operations team are a key liaison between supplier and client.
Originally from Naples, Paolo has looked on as his city has become one of the ‘must see’ places to visit with stunning natural views such as the bay dominated by the Castel dell’Ovo, Mount Vesuvius brooding in the background.
Paolo’s top tip is to make time for a walking tour incorporating an authentic Neapolitan pizza, the main ingredients of which (basil, mozzarella and tomato) were put together in honour of the queen consort of Italy, Margherita of Savoy, to represent the colours of the national flag.
Head of Commercial
Head of Commercial
A year spent studying abroad in Grenoble was probably the root cause of Pete’s love of travel. In times spent since he has worked extensively across Europe in operational, contracting, product and marketing roles.
Pete joined JacTravel in 2019 with a view to using his experiences to accelerate JacTravel’s growth into mainland Europe – his role also encompasses other project-based activities and the marketing function.
Away from work, Pete splits his time between his young family and a lifelong love of music and Liverpool FC. And to a significantly lesser extent he can also be found keeping fit through running, having recently completed his first half marathon.
Head of Tailormade
Head of Tailormade
Inspired by working in a local hotel in her native Dumfries whilst growing up, Lindsay took her next step into travel via a degree in tourism. After graduating in the summer of 2002, Lindsay first joined JacTravel on a summer placement in the FIT team.
Lindsay has since progressed in a variety of roles before taking up her current role, Head of Tailormade, where she leads on the Product, Operational and Account Development necessary to fulfil and expand our ad-hoc & special interest requests.
Living in Fife with her young family, Lindsay is a keen munro bagger and loves nothing more than continuing to discover the many hidden treasures of Scotland.
Head of Sales - North America
Head of Sales - North America
Based in New Jersey, Matthew is our Head of Sales throughout North America – responsible for the sourcing and onboarding of all new client partnerships within his region. As such, Matthew spends a lot of his time on the road visiting clients or representing JacTravel at all of the key trade events.
A highly seasoned travel professional with over 30 years’ experience, Matthew returned to JacTravel in 2019 having previously worked with our legacy TotalStay brand where he was the Director of XML Sales.
Away from his work, Matthew can often be found aboard the ocean wave, and consequently is our resident sailing expert!
Head of Sales - Europe
Head of Sales - Europe
Head of Sales + Key Accounts - DACH
Head of Sales + Key Accounts - DACH
Based in our Edinburgh office, Alessandro joined our team in June 2023 as Head of Sales and Key Accounts. Born in Austria and raised in Italy he finally relocated to the UK in 2014. He is responsible for our DACH clients (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and looks forward to working together with some of the best key players within our exciting industry.
Alessandro has a strong passion for travel, which was enhanced by his working-holiday experience in Australia and New Zealand. He also appreciates diverse cuisines, follows his favourite football team, and cherishes his time with his dog.
Head of Sales - LA, UK + Benelux
Head of Sales - LA, UK + Benelux
Originally from Coimbra in Portugal, Vanda began working for the Regional Tourist Board promoting the “Center of Portugal”. Her tourism career continued when she moved to the UK in 1999 where she eventually joined JacTravel as a Senior Sales Manager with the objective of developing the Latin Markets (both in Europe and South America). She has now been with us for more than 8 years!
Travel is a passion for Vanda, as was ballet when she was younger. More recently she discovered an enjoyment for weightlifting and charity work took her to work as a flash interview reporter for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022. Whilst Vanda doesn’t have any children of her own, she does have 13 nephews and nieces, taking her all over the world! Her favourite place however, is Jersey in the Channel Islands and she regularly heads back to see friends, enjoy the best seafood and amazing scenery.
Head of Key Accounts
Head of Key Accounts
As Head of Key Accounts, Jennifer leads teams in Edinburgh and London working to retain and grow our business year on year. Predominantly working with clients from our short haul markets, Jennifer’s team work on series and adhoc requests for group travel as well as tailormade FIT enquiries.
Jennifer’s journey at JacTravel began close to 20 years ago, in which time she has progressed whilst filling a variety of roles in Business Development, Operations, FIT and Account Development before her current position. A valued and loyal JacTravel expert!
Jennifer has been passionate about travel since her first school trip abroad, aged just 16. A true Italophile and fluent Italian speaker, Jennifer has travelled extensively throughout the country from the Alps to the heel of the boot falling in love with the rich variety of landscapes, food and wine.
Jennifer’s best travel tip? “Get lost! Some of the best discoveries that I have ever made were by taking a wrong turn!”
Head of Key Accounts
Head of Key Accounts
Based in our London office, Sue is our long haul expert, leading her team to manage the accounts of valued clients predominantly from North America.
Soon approaching her 15 years’ anniversary with JacTravel, Sue’s story of progression has taken in Contract Management as well as both Business and Account Development before her current position.
Sue’s love of travel stems from her many rich experiences of life abroad – taking her beyond her comfort zone and inspiring her to take in new surroundings whilst engaging with new people and cultures. Sue’s favourite places range from the verdant Kew Gardens to incomparable Italy to, and most naturally, her native Yorkshire! Her top travel tip is to add real depth to your experience by hiring a local guide – always best placed for local tips and stories.
Away from work, Sue keeps busy through a love of singing, hiking, learning new languages, local cuisine, theatre and art.
Regional Head of Contracting – Europe
Regional Head of Contracting – Europe
Based in our London office, Giovanni heads up our European contracting team with a specific focus as the lead for chain hotel partnerships. Given his role sourcing new partnerships as well as working continuously with existing partners for mutually beneficial outcomes, Giovanni frequently represents JacTravel at industry events – be sure to keep a check on our LinkedIn page to keep up to date with his latest movements!
Giovanni has rich experience in the travel industry stretching over 20 years, and in his own words has “turned his passion into his job.” His journey at JacTravel began just in 2018.
Away from work, and when not visiting his native Sicily, Giovanni loves to spend time socialising with friends or exploring London, trying out new restaurants or theatre productions.
Regional Head of Contracting – UK + Ireland
Regional Head of Contracting – UK + Ireland
Over 20 years’ experience in travel has seen Laura contract a multitude of properties in many different locations throughout Europe and further afield. It is this extensive knowledge and expertise that helps her best identify with the important nuances that meet each client’s unique needs.
Laura’s role at JacTravel sees her lead her team to focus on our accommodation suppliers in the UK and Ireland, securing market-leading rates whilst providing our partners welcome off-season trade and advance group bookings.
Full of great travelling advice, Laura recommends the Amalfi coast for it’s spectacular juxtaposition of mountains and coastline, noting “the best time to visit is outside of ‘peak’ – the weather can still be great and a day trip to Capri will be enhanced with less crowds.”
Further afield her favourite place would be Cambodia where she enjoys immersing herself in the temples. “Be sure to take incredible photos of the temple reflections in the ponds.”
Head of Contracting – Services
Head of Contracting – Services
Nada leads our team of product experts – keeping their ear to the ground for all new developments in tourist attractions, dining, ground transport, guiding and events. Her team are also responsible for building and maintaining relations with our thousands of key suppliers throughout the UK and mainland Europe, as well as ensuring the rest of the business is kept up to date with the many changes and news.
Originally from Treviso but now based in London, Nada’s passion for travel stems in her own words from “a sense of freedom I can’t find in anything else”. Her favourite location is Central – South America, visits to Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and the Caribbean have left strong and lasting impressions.
When putting travelling aside for one moment, Nada loves the arts – most notably dancing, reading and listening to music.
Regional Head of Contracting – London + Adhoc Management
Regional Head of Contracting – London + Adhoc Management
Based in our Kentish Town office in London, Francesca is our lead and go-to person for all hotel partnerships in the capital.
Prior to joining JacTravel in 2018, Francesca’s journey in travel began four years earlier – inspired by her love of meeting new people, learning about new cultures and experiencing different ways of living.
Originally from Treviso, Francesca recommends Veneto as the ideal region to first visit her homeland. In her words, “it has everything – sea, beaches, mountains, lakes, great food…there are so many beautiful places to visit aside from Venice”. She advises to always ask the locals for the best places to eat.
When not travelling, Francesca is an interior design enthusiast, with a particular love of 70s Italian and Scandi work – sometimes enjoying looking for rare pieces and old furniture to refurbish in flea markets.
