What has been your biggest challenge in the travel industry?
My biggest challenge has been to remain independent and successful.
What has been your most embarrassing moment in the travel industry?
It must be the time when I gave a presentation in front of an all-male audience and on leaving I realised that my blouse was undone, revealing my highly unflattering thermal vest.
What’s the best job you’ve had, apart from your current one?
Working at Bisley Rifle Range as a waitress in the officers’ mess.
Which company, apart from your own, do you most admire and why?
There are a lot but Kuoni would certainly be one as it has grown at a rapid rate while retaining quality products.
If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
I would be organising a new company called Hamper Yourself, tailor-making hampers for special events. The name is registered so don’t try to nick it!
What single thing have you achieved at work which has given you the most satisfaction?
Introducing the tailor-made department.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Have the enthusiasm for the industry, a desire for knowledge and certainly don’t go in for the nine to five number.
Do you have a Web site and if so how many bookings do you receive on it?
Yes, www.balesworldwide.com. On average we are taking 25 bookings a month from the site and are currently in discussions with various travel agencies regarding partnerships on the Internet site.
How many travel agents do you estimate there will be left in the UK in five years’ time?
About 5,000.
Make one prediction about travel in the 21st century:
Consumers will become more demanding and individuality will become paramount. Companies will have to cater to individual wishes or lose the business.
What is your star sign?
Taurus.
What would you change about yourself?
I would like to become fitter.
What is your greatest regret?
Not going backpacking before I settled down in a career.
If you could be anyone for the day who would you be and why?
Mickey Mouse, to light up thousands of children’s faces.
Who, apart from your partner, would be your ideal holiday companion and where would you go?
Shirley MacLaine and we would go to Bhutan, south Asia.
What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?
It has to be Peru, Machu Picchu. It completely exceeded my expectations.
What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?
A beach holiday.
What is your favourite TV programme/film/book?
My favourite programme is Frasier, the film is Patch Adams and the book is Shackleton’s Boat Journey.
How do you relax?
I’ve just started with a personal fitness trainer to take my mind off work. Otherwise I enjoy reading, walking and obviously a glass of champagne helps.
What would you have put on your gravestone?
Je ne regrette rien – no regrets.
Job title: deputy managing director
Age: mentally or physically?
Born: Cheam.
Lives: Ewell, Surrey.
Status: married with children.
Education: Cheam High School, Surrey, Croydon College, Surrey.
Path to career: worked as a cook for a year from 1978-79. From 1979-1980 worked as a hotel receptionist. Was a retail travel agent from 1980-1981. Joined Bales in 1978, starting as a rep and progressing to marketing manager. Became deputy managing director in 1998.