Former Spear Travels managing director reflects on 32 years with agency

When the former managing director or The Spear Travels Group Peter Cookson told staff about the company’s sale to Hays Travel, he had to switch off his computer screen to keep his composure.

After 32 years at the agency, directors Peter and Libby Cookson and Derek Adams have all left the business this week as part of the sale agreement.

Cookson said breaking the news to staff across the agency’s 12 branches in Teesside, the Midlands, Essex and Oxfordshire, as well as its 12 homeworkers was difficult.

He said: “It was quite emotional. We did a Zoom call for all the staff across the whole company and I had to give a speech. I was dreading it. I turned my screen off to do it but my wife Libby said there were lots of weeping faces.”

Cookson, 72, admitted there was anxiety among staff hearing the news.

“It’s very hard in situations like this, it makes people feel slightly on edge, no matter how much reassurance you give staff. But Hays have made it clear all jobs are safe,” he said, adding: “We have had amazing feedback from staff and from tour operators.

"We’ve had loads of messages saying we are the best company they have ever worked for.”