Jane Breeden, founder and manager, Virgin Touch
Education: 9 O’ levels.
Training: London College of Fashion hair and beauty course and Steiner beauty course.
First travel job: joined Virgin Atlantic nine years ago.
Career path: after studying at the London College of Fashion, she worked at various beauty salons in London before landing a job in a top Knightsbridge salon. In 1989 she approached Virgin chairman Richard Branson with an idea for doing in-flight massages. He liked the idea and in February 1990 she went on a trial to New York which proved a great success. She joined the Virgin team in May 1990. For the next two years, Jane was the carrier’s sole masseur. She now employs over 200 in-flight beauty therapists and has set up Virgin Touch Salons at airports and a Virgin Touch Spa in Majorca.
Advice for people wishing to develop a career in travel: “Try to get experience in customer service dealing with a wide variety of people. Get a qualification in travel and tourism – depending on which area you want to get into. Prepare to work hard and in a variety of jobs – not just nine to five. Be flexible, dedicated and grab every opportunity. Some of the most simple ideas are the ones that work.”
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