Tributes have been paid to former Thomas Cook purchasing director Graham Bedford, who died on September 15.
Former colleagues of his at Thomas Cook recalled his career and qualities, and his influence on tourism and their own careers in travel.
Dave Green, Belleair Holidays managing director, said Bedford was “an unsung hero of the travel industry” while Ross Hutchinson, senior sales and marketing manager, UK & Ireland, at Domes Resorts described him as “very influential” in UK tour operating, especially in the development of Turkey.
Bedford’s career started in banking and then he joined Club 18-30 in the early 1980s, rising to become head rep and area manager.
Back in the UK, he worked in hotel contracting for International Leisure Group (ILG), SunWorld, JMC and Thomas Cook.
Green said: “Graham was not only a colleague but also a dear friend, and I had the privilege of knowing him and working alongside him for over three decades.
“Throughout my career, I have had the fortune of collaborating with inspiring individuals, but none had the profound influence on me like Graham did, especially in the early stages of my journey.
“Graham was a genius, a true expert in his field, and he possessed a selflessness and generosity that was unparalleled.
“He willingly shared his vast industry knowledge of purchasing, negotiation and tour operating with those who were eager to listen and learn, leaving a lasting impact on the careers and lives of countless individuals.
“One of Graham’s remarkable qualities was his ability to encourage his colleagues to think for themselves and embrace their mistakes as valuable learning experiences.
“He despised the notion of acting like ‘civil servant’ types, believing that such behaviour hindered growth and progress. Instead, he always sought innovative solutions and inspired others to do the same.
“His exceptional ability to cultivate respectful, long-term relationships with suppliers was unmatched.
“While driving a hard bargain, he ensured that both parties felt they had a fair deal, with contracts poised for success at the best market price.
“Graham’s linguistic talents and his skill at navigating commercial and cultural differences were invaluable during negotiations, and he often used wonderful and amusing analogies to emphasise his points.”
Green met him in the late Eighties when Green was area manager for Sunworld Holidays in the Dalaman region of Turkey.
“That period was my real apprenticeship, as I witnessed his mesmerising negotiation skills first-hand,” recalled Green.
“I had the opportunity to learn from the best in the business. I eagerly accompanied Graham to every contracting meeting in my region, assisting him in finalising contracts when he had to travel back to the UK or to other destinations.”
Green added: “Beyond his professional accomplishments, Graham was deeply committed to his beloved wife, Gill, and his family. He had an uncanny ability to strike a perfect work-life balance, an elusive feat for many of us.
“Graham was a natural-born winner, excelling in everything he set his mind to, whether it was work-related or playing his favourite sports such as golf, tennis, snooker, skiing and rugby, or just participating in local pub quiz nights.
“His competitive spirit was unmatched, yet even in defeat, he displayed an admirable grace.
“Graham’s dedication to personal growth led him to become part of the first-ever intake of Thomas Cook senior management students selected to attend Loughborough University for Management Diplomas. This achievement further solidified his status as a true leader in the industry.
“Graham leaves behind a legacy of excellence, generosity and a wealth of knowledge that has shaped the lives and careers of countless individuals in the travel industry, me included. He will be deeply missed.”
Hutchinson paid tribute to Bedford in a Facebook post, recalling: “In 2004, amidst the sun-kissed beauty of Rhodes, I had the pleasure of meeting Graham Bedford for the first time.
“Graham, with his roots firmly planted in Yorkshire and a heart that resonated with my Scottish spirit, joined us on the final day of our visit.
“At that point, I had spent just under two years in the travel industry, and my stint at Thomas Cook’s head office in Peterborough was merely six weeks old.
“During that memorable lunch, Graham spun tales that spanned his days as a rep and his adventures in contracting in Cuba, all delivered in a way that blended metaphors and analogies into captivating narratives.
“In that single lunch, I learned more about the travel industry than in my previous two years.
“He was ever ready to help, eager to share his vast knowledge and committed to making you a better version of yourself.
“He wasn’t just a mentor; he was everyone’s mentor, regardless of titles.
“He’d tease you when you made a mistake, affectionately calling you a ‘pillock’ but always with the intention of helping you move past it, focus on growth, and, above all, learn from it.”
Hutchinson recalled moving to Stamford and Bedford offered a sofa and chair to help furnish his flat – and they ended up going to the pub every Thursday for quiz night.
“Some of my fondest memories are of those quiz nights with Graham, [Graham’s wife] Gill, and the other local quiz enthusiasts at The Railway in Ketton,” he recalled.
“The news of his passing hit me like a tidal wave, and the grief ran deep. I felt compelled to write this, to share the laughter, the memories, and to express how lucky I am to have known Graham.
“Graham left an enduring legacy, an imprint of positivity and inspiration on all of us who had the privilege of working and living alongside him. We all carry a piece of Graham in our hearts.”
Turkish handling agent Cem Selik was one of the first people Bedford worked with in Turkey.
“Graham’s name would always be mentioned as the pioneer, the leader of UK tourism movement to Turkey,” he said.
It was while Bedford was on the Greek island of Samos that he thought about tourism in Turkey and went over to nearby Kusadasi.
Following his visit, flights from ILG and later Thomas Cook started landing in Izmir as mass tourism in Kusadasi began in 1984-85.
“We can proudly say that Graham brought the UK’s biggest tour operator to Turkey – a golden name,” said Selik.
“With his friendly, positive and smart style he was loved by anybody he would meet in this country.
“He was our teacher – to us and hundreds of investors, hoteliers, administration experts, sector employees and many more.
“For the first 500 beds Graham required, we contracted every single tourist property, including pensions.
“Millions of pounds were distributed to villagers to build hotels, instead of barns.
“Then Antalya was developed, and we brought the first English holidaymakers to Antalya as well.
“Today the UK is the number three market in Antalya, which has 14-15 million passengers in a good season.
“The whole Turkish tourism sector should be grateful to Graham Bedford for his great efforts over many years. He will be in our hearts forever.”
His wife Gill recalled how Bedford did the same for Cuba tourism, with the interests of local people at heart as well as those of the companies.
“He met a number of dignitaries along the way but took everything in his stride. He has always treated folk as equal,” she said.
“I am immensely proud to have had him as my best friend and father of my children.”
A celebration of his life will be held at the Church of St Mary, Ketton, Rutland, starting at 2.30pm on October 13.
Donations in his memory can be made via the funeral director’s website in aid of cancer research and Alzheimer’s research charities.