You are viewing 1 of your 2 free articles
Brilliant Travel director Linda Pyle to retire after 45-year career
Barrhead Travel has paid tribute to Linda Pyle, Brilliant Travel director, who will retire at the end of June, bringing her 45-year career in travel to a close.
The Scottish-headquartered agency said in a statement: “Over the past 12 years, Linda has led significant growth and strengthened the Brilliant Travel network for managed partners and home-based specialists.
“Starting with Brilliant Travel in its infancy alongside Darby Gallagher in support and a small group of members and home-based specialists, Linda has overseen its development into a key division within the wider Barrhead Travel group.
“A much-loved figure across the industry, Linda is known for her supportive leadership, energy and unwavering commitment to the sector.
“Linda will remain in post until the end of June, with celebrations planned in the coming months.”
Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, managing director at Barrhead Travel, said: “We’ll miss Linda in the Brilliant Travel and wider Barrhead Travel business enormously.
“Linda’s impact as a leader and champion for our managed partners and home-based specialists has been huge.
“We’re thrilled for our colleague and friend as she starts her next chapter and are looking forward to celebrating an outstanding career and wish her a very happy retirement.”
Business development manager Dan Steabler will be promoted to the role of Brilliant Travel director on July 1.
He brings extensive industry expertise to the position, having joined Brilliant Travel in 2018 from Cruise and Maritime Voyages, where he served as business development manager for the north.
Before that, he spent a decade at Hays Travel, holding several key roles, and gained further valuable experience during five years at Thomas Cook.
Since joining Barrhead Travel in 2018, has worked closely with Brilliant Travel members and the wider network, and he will work with Pyle over the coming months to ensure a smooth handover.
Tempest-Mitchell continued: “Dan’s appointment reflects the strength of talent within our business. He brings wide ranging experience, strong commercial insight and a clear understanding of Brilliant Travel and its members.
“Linda has set the bar incredibly high, and we’re thankful for the warmth, drive and standards she’s brought to the role. With Dan stepping up, members can be confident that momentum will continue.”
Steabler, incoming Brilliant Travel director, said: “I’m delighted to be stepping into the role and build on the fantastic foundations that Linda has created.
“Working closely with our members in recent years, I’ve seen first-hand the strength of the network and the passion across the business.
“I’m excited to keep delivering for our managed partners and homeworkers as we grow.”
Pyle added: “Travel has been my life’s work and it been an absolute privilege to lead Brilliant Travel and work with such a wonderful community of colleagues, managed partners and home-based specialists – I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved together.
“Thinking back on my career, I am perhaps particularly proud of how we tackled the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic – we emerged from that period without losing any managed partners or home-based specialists.
“I’m really looking forward to retirement, but I’ll miss everyone. I leave knowing Brilliant Travel is in safe hands with Dan, and I can’t wait to see what the team does next.”
She started her career as a travel agent with Lunn Poly before moving into a training role. She also worked at British Airways for 13 years and Hays Travel for 11 years.
Related Content
Jacobs Media is a company registered in England and Wales, company number 08713328. 3rd Floor, 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0AU
© 2025 Jacobs Media
