Alison Burland, administration controller, Hertz Rent A Car
Education: nine O’ levels and and two A’ levels. Higher National Diploma in business and finance (with French and tourism) at Bristol Polytechnic
Training: various training courses with Hertz, including selling, management and training to be a trainer.
First travel job: joined Hertz as branch manager at East Midlands Airport in 1989 after completing an HND. Alison applied for a job after carrying out a work placement as a customer service representative at Hertz Rent A Car in Coventry during her college course.
Career path: as branch manager, Alison’s main responsibilities were fleet planning, team building, driving sales and customer service. In July 1993 she had her first child and took maternity leave, returning to work full-time in January 1994. In 1995 she had her second child. At present she works part-time as administration controller, a role which was created for her at Birmingham Airport in 1995. The role is varied, and includes branch purchasing, staff incentives, monthly payroll, and ensuring that branch procedures are up to audit standard.
Advice for people wishing to develop a career in travel: “I would recommend the travel industry to anyone who enjoys variety in their career. It is an exciting business to work in. You need to be friendly, willing to learn and always prepared to grab an opportunity.”
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