Gold Medal has recruited eight members of staff from Tenerity Travel as the agency reportedly winds down operations.
Tenerity was formed as Affinion International Travel in 2008, with the business establishing itself as a provider of travel services to closed-member groups including NatWest customers.
In its last filed accounts for the 12 months to December 31, 2022, it reported profit after tax of £35,000 on turnover of £3.64 million and said it employed an average of 79 employees.
The agency is understood to be winding down operations before a full closure but is yet to respond to requests for comment from Travel Weekly.
Gold Medal managing director Simon Applebaum, who previously worked for Affinion, said the trade-only operator had invited applications from staff facing redundancy after his former employer informed partners of its plans to cease trading.
He said: “The closure of Tenerity is really sad. It’s sad for those people affected, it’s sad for Northamptonshire to lose a longstanding travel business, and it always hits home when a former employer shuts its doors.”
Applebaum said he gave a presentation to Tenerity staff about careers with dnata Travel Group when he learned the agency would be closing.
“I am delighted that eight incredibly experienced and knowledgeable agents are now joining Gold Medal,” he added.
“That wouldn’t have been possible without the selflessness of the senior management still at Tenerity who were supportive of the onward careers of those affected.”
Five of the former Tenerity staff have already joined Gold Medal as homeworkers, with three set to begin their new roles later this year.
Carla Butcher, who has joined as a sales consultant, said: “It’s exciting to be joining such an established tour operator that we have closely worked with over the years.
“Leaving Tenerity was sad, but I look forward to carrying on my travel career along with some longstanding colleagues who have also joined the [Gold Medal] team.”
Last month, Tenerity operations manager Sarah Lavender moved to Red Sea Holidays to lead its trade relations team.
Pictured: Simon Applebaum with new joiners who have already started, from left: Claire Seaton, Cara Burrows, Carla Butcher, Abby Bennett, Tarina Ingham