Tributes have been paid to Frank Regan, formerly of Super Break and NAT Holidays, who died on Tuesday (February 13) at the age of 74.
The senior industry figure was described by many former colleagues in the travel trade as a “true gentleman”.
Gary Wardrope, chief executive at Ortharize, who worked with Frank at Neilson Ski Holidays, called him “a boss, a friend and a mentor”.
Frank started his travel career at NAT London and moved to NAT Australia.
He worked with coach tour operator NAT Holidays from 1973 to 1986. The Leeds-based brand initially took Australians on trips to north Africa, then expanded to offer other destinations in Europe.
In 1986, it bought Neilson Ski Holidays and also owned French Life. Frank was at French Life from 1989 to 1991.
It was while he was operations director at Neilson that Frank met Gary Wardrope, who joined as a training manager, helping agents with ski sales.
“In my first week he invited me to have dinner with him and his wife Sally, which was so nice as I knew no one in Leeds,” recalled Gary.
“He had honesty, integrity and wisdom. When the computers fell over, he was calm and cool.
“He was a total gentleman – one of the good guys.”
Another colleague was Great Experience Travel’s David Gambier, who ran the reservations for Neilson, and who died last summer.
When Neilson was sold, Frank joined Super Break in 1992 as operations director, working at the short break specialist until 2011.
Graham Balmforth, former national sales manager at Super Break, worked with Frank for much of that time.
“He had that great gift of seniority and respect in the boardroom, coupled with being ‘one of the gang’ with all staff members. A true gentleman,” said Graham.
Claire Dutton, trade sales manager, National Holidays, said: “I worked with Frank for about 15 years during my time at Super Break. I learnt a lot from him.
“He had a great passion for the industry and was instrumental in growing Super Break into the fantastic company it was.
“He had so much experience and knowledge and was very measured and professional always, but he also had a great sense of humour and an infectious smile.
“A few years after he retired, I bumped into him as we both happened to be staying at The Cumberland in London.
“I remember that beaming smile when we saw each other in reception, and it was so lovely to have a hug and a good old catch-up!”
David Jarman also worked with Frank in operations at Super Break during the 1990s and until Frank’s retirement in 2011.
He said: “I am truly saddened and shocked that Frank has left us so soon; it was an absolute privilege to have worked with him and for so long.
“My foremost memories of Frank will always be his consistent professionalism shown to customers, suppliers and especially to colleagues. No matter what business pressures or challenges were in play, Frank would always take the time to stop and ask colleagues how they were, be concerned and offer help if necessary and ensure everyone was treated fairly and that they knew they were an important part of the team.
“It amazed me that he knew all colleagues by name, even at Super Break’s peak when we had over 250 employees. The term ‘true gent’ can be used a lot these days but Frank far exceeded that description. My deepest condolences to his loving wife Sally.”
Former Shearings Holidays managing director Jane Atkins said: “I first met Frank Regan as a green student, when doing a work placement at NAT Holidays in Leeds.
“He was always full of life, was happy to invest his time in a student, and encouraged me 100% to join the travel industry.
“I joined Rainbow Holidays while he was at Super Break, and bizarrely in the same building in York, but despite being competitors, and me being a very junior member of staff, and Frank a director, he was always keen to know how I was doing in my ‘real’ job!” she recalled.
“A true people person, and a true gentleman, always kind and very genuine, and always interested.”
Gary also recalled playing golf with Frank, once when it was snowing in January and another time at the prestigious Belfry course near Birmingham.
The Belfy trip was for a pal’s stag do, so they had been partying the night before their game. Frank had ensured they didn’t stay up too late and, the next morning, charmed onlookers as the groom-to-be managed to knock his first shot into the tee block, sending the ball 50 yards backwards.
“He always kept a cool head,” recalled Gary.