people profile

people profile

open to question: Christine Byard, Thomas Cook

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Job title: director, Thomas Cook Direct Businesses.

Age: 39.

Born: York.

Lives: Peterborough.

Status: married.

Education: York College of Arts and Technology.

Path to career: 1980 sales consultant, Thomas Cook, York; 1984 acting manager, Harrogate; 1985 manager Scarborough branch; 1988 regional manager North London/East Kent; 1991 retail development manager; 1992 retail regional manager, Yorkshire; 1995 general manager (retail operations north); 1996 director, foreign exchange.

industry talk

&#42 What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?

At Exchange Travel as a trainee travel consultant on £3,000.

&#42 What’s been your biggest challenge in the travel industry to date?

Serving real customers everyday to a high standard (we shouldn’t underestimate the demands we place on front-line teams).

&#42 What’s the best job you’ve had, apart from your current one?

UKforeign exchange director at Thomas Cook.

&#42 Which company, apart from your own, do you most admire and why?

Tesco – the way it has re-positioned its brand is really exceptional.

&#42 If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?

Singing or training horses.

&#42 What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?

The same advice Iwould give to anyone, maintain a ‘can do’ attitude and work hard.

&#42 What one thing would you change about your job?

I need more hours in the day

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&#42 What single thing have you achieved at work which has given you most satisfaction?

The launch of the £2 flat-fee pricing on currency.

&#42 Do you agree with travel agents charging a fee for their work?

I agree with a business making a sensible margin.

&#42 Do you think the growing consolidation in the industry is good for customers?

Customers have more choice now than ever. My biggest concern relates to the impact on quality from the ever-increasing price wars.

&#42 How many travel agents do you estimate there will be left in the UK in five years’ time?

I firmly believe that there is a strong future for high-street agents.

&#42 Make one prediction about travel in the 21st century:

Customers will be more selective about what they’re prepared to pay for – if it’s not packaged they’ll do it themselves.

personal talk

&#42 What is your star sign?

Sagittarius.

&#42 Which living person do you most respect and why?

Apart from my husband, Irespect anyone who cares for others.

&#42 What is your greatest regret?

Not pursuing a singing career.

&#42 Who, apart from your partner, would be your ideal holiday companion and where would you go?

My closest friend, we would go pony trekking.

&#42 What is your greatest extravagance?

Eating out, usually at Harvey Nichols.

&#42 What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?

South Africa for the contrasts of wealth and poverty..

&#42 What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?

Camping.

&#42 What is your favourite TV programme/film/book?

I enjoy any documentary on the elements or supernatural, the film is Philadelphia and there are too many books to mention.

&#42 What’s your idea of a great night out?

A wonderfully slow meal with friends and family.

&#42 How do you relax?

With great difficulty – my husband forces me to sit down with a book.

&#42 What would you have put on your gravestone?

Do not weep for me. Live life to the full for me.