Start-up venture Flexi Reps has signed up more than 50 people seeking temporary field sales and marketing work.
The company was launched earlier this month by former Jet2holidays trade sales manager Craig Davidson as “the go-to place for brands wanting flexible talent on the road, to enhance brand awareness”, in the wake of widespread travel job losses.
ITE travel agent Kelly Freeth is the company’s office manager, while Freeth’s husband Andy – former chief executive of If Only and managing director of dnata UK – will support as a non-executive director.
Davidson, Flexi Reps’ managing director, said he has been “overwhelmed” with demand for the service.
“It’s heart-breaking really, as we’ve had so many reps get in touch – all talented individuals, that are crying out to get back to what they love,” he said.
“Our industry continues to take a battering and some government decisions are really not helping that.”
In the first week of launch, the www.flexireps.co.uk website had more than 2,800 visits and more than 15 companies have been in touch.
Davidson added: “We have had a lot of interest from operators and I’m hopeful we’ll be sharing news of our first project in the next week or two.
“We are already redesigning our website to make sure we can easily post and share opportunities as they come in.
“We have also started a weekly blog and reps’ newsletter, ‘Thank Flexi it’s Friday’.”
Kelly Freeth said: “I recognise so many of the reps’ names as I’ve been trained by lots of them in the past.
“I am gutted they are all looking for opportunities and our industry is at risk of losing them for good which will be a real shame.
“Craig is working all hours under the sun to create demand from partners. He is so passionate about landing projects, I think he’ll probably cry when the first project post goes up.”
Craig added: “What’s also great is how well received we’ve been from existing and well-established representation companies.
“We are keeping our model simple. We provide boots on the ground for travel agent activity.
“Existing UK PR and representation companies do so much more than that, so Flexi Reps is a very natural fit and extension to their proposition to brands they work with.”