What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?
I became an overseas rep while on holiday. The existing rep had to go back to the UKfor health reasons and the area manager offered me the job over lunch! I was paid about £12 a week plus accommodation and commission.
What has been your biggest challenge in the travel industry?
Starting up our company, Changing Places (Recruitment Consultants) Ltd, with my business partner Ian McHaffie.
What, apart from your current position, would be your ideal job in travel?
Making travel documentaries – I don’t mean like the Holiday programme but more the promotional type of documentary.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
Ken Swan of W.F.&R.K. Swan Hellenic (as it was when I worked for him), for his knowledge and attention to the smallest detail.
Which company, apart from your own, do you most admire and why?
Simply Travel. Graham Simpson started out just before we did, he ran a close knit family-type operation, building it up without losing his values. It was sold recently for an undisclosed figure. I admire a successful entrepreneur.
If you weren’t in travel, what would you be doing?
Amake-up artist for film and/or TV.
What single thing have you achieved at work which has given you the most satisfaction?
Maintaining the high standards that we set out to achieve and keeping to them, even in the most difficult of times.
Do you think the growing consolidation in the industry is good for consumers?
No, however, I feel sure there will always be a niche for the independent agent offering tailor-made itineraries for the discerning traveller.
Do you agree with travel agents charging a fee for their work?
Yes – in the same way I would like recruitment consultants to be able to charge a fee for research and advice!
Job title: joint MD.
Age: 53.
Born: Woodford, Essex.
Lives: Croydon, Surrey.
Status: married.
Education: Leyton County High for Girls, Southwest Essex Technical College andSchool of Art.
Path to career: worked for Pontins in 1966 before joining the London Academy of Modelling. Became an overseas rep in 1972. Then worked for Reed Employment until 1975 before joining WF&RK, Swan Hellenic and then Lysander Travel as assistant travel manager. Promoted to sales manager after which she joined Barbara Storr in 1982. Started up Changing Places in 1985.
What is your star sign?
Taurus.
Which living person do you most respect?
My Dad, Bill Page. He has had an excellent career in travel with American Express and then as an ABTA inspector.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Quality in everything.
What is your greatest vice?
Not keeping in touch with friends and family as regularly as I should – allowing that dry white wine counts as a pleasure and not as a vice!
Who, apart from your partner, would be your ideal holiday companion and where would you go?
Before I grow up, I want to go to see Father Christmas in Lapland. And if you really insist that I can’t take my husband, then second best I guess would be Mel Gibson.
What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?
To date, I would say cruising the Caribbean on the SSNorway.
What is your favourite TV programme/film/book?
Yes Prime Minister/Have I Got News For You, Gone with the Wind and Pride and Prejudice.
What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?
Anything that involved hiking, walking or cycling.
What would you have put on your gravestone?
Feel like Changing Places?