Homeworking pioneer David Speakman was last night honoured with a Globe for outstanding achievement at the Travel Weekly Globes.
The Travel Counsellors chairman founded the homeworking firm in 1994 and has grown the organisation to more than 700 agents in the UK, Ireland, Holland and most recently the US.
It was a night of double celebration for Speakman and his Bolton-based agency that also collected the Innovation in Travel Award, a panel judged category that was sponsored by Accenture, for a new franchise agreement for the firm’s counsellors brought in last year.
TW Group publishing director Simon Ferguson introduced Speakman at the awards ceremony in Park Lane’s Grosvenor House saying he has “revolutionised the travel agency model”.
Speakman, who was genuinely humbled by the personal recognition in front of 1,500 invited guests from the travel industry, said the success of the company is down to “the belief in the travel consultant”.
The company’s turnover has increased from £510,000 in 1994 to £175 million for the 12 months to October 2006.
For more reports and comment on the Globes visit the Travel Weekly Blog.