London-based agency Swords Travel has recruited a general manager to help achieve its growth targets in 2025.
Laura Hill will take up the newly created role from February 17.
She has worked in the travel industry for more than 25 years and spent nine years at Baldwins Travel until last November, most recently as head of retail. She also spent time as a travel call centre manager at Interval International.
Speaking to Aspire, co-owner Mark Swords said: “We’re going through quite a bit of growth at the moment, and we just needed more support within the main business, so Laura will be joining us at the perfect time.
“Laura’s key responsibilities are to look after the overall business from a UK perspective, which will give us opportunity to grow further. I think Laura is going to be integral in making sure we’re aligned in all parts of the business.”
Hill will be based at the Swords Travel store in Wimbledon Village, but will also support the agency’s 14 homeworkers to help them develop their businesses and ensure the company meets its overall revenue target for 2025.
She said: “I can’t wait to have a new challenge and join a lovely, experienced team. I’ve always worked in travel, but I think I’m still going to learn a lot from them, which is really exciting for me.”
Hill’s appointment follows a year of “significant” growth for the agency, which saw its sales increase by 45% year on year. It hopes to grow its sales by a further 75% in 2025.
Hill will become the 19th member of the Swords Travel team, which is expected to grow to 26 by the end of the year with the further additions of a travel advisor, four associates and two affiliates.