Pictured: Jonathon Woodall
Hays Travel aims to double the revenue generated by its cruise call centre division after taking on the office of former IG member Just Cruise – and hiring 19 Thomas Cook homeworkers.
Three members of staff from the Stirlingshire-based cruise specialist, who had been working at home since its owner closed the business in September, have been employed by Hays.
Hays will operate a cruise-dedicated call centre from Just Cruise’s former office in Larbert and is recruiting for 10 staff to join the three already based there.
Jonathon Woodall, group head of commercial and Independence Group at Hays Travel, said: “When Just Cruise decided it no longer wanted to trade, we recruited three of its staff – two in sales and one in marketing – and set them up to work from home. When they came to our head office in Sunderland for their induction, they said they liked the atmosphere working from the office. It works for them, and it was available.
“We are looking to double the revenue we made last year and wanted to show our commitment to growing, so by signing a lease, we are showing that. Sometimes it’s difficult to recruit experienced staff, especially in areas we are already in. This office gives us an opportunity to fish in a different pond.”
“We’ve got a big retail network, but we’ve seen a rise in call centre volumes and want to make sure we’ve got the staff for that.”
Meanwhile, Hays Travel has taken on 19 former Thomas Cook employees for its cruise call centre business, which is now spread across four office locations.
Woodall said the mass hiring of ex-Cook staff was orchestrated by one person who knew a group of agents that had been made redundant in April.