Abercrombie & Kent and Cox & Kings head of agency sales Richard Hey has left the company to set up his own representation company in the trade.
The Travel Representation Company aims to help specialist tour operators grow their trade sales by offering product and marketing representation.
Hey has launched the company with three tour operator clients: Worldchoice Sports; Exoticca; and Beachcomber Tours.
The company will represent the operators’ brands and products to travel agents, offering tailored marketing and representation, trade engagement expertise, sales growth and strategic insight.
Hey, managing director, said: “I am thrilled to introduce The Travel Representation Company to the industry. My goal is to leverage my experience and deep industry connections to provide unparalleled support to our partners.
“Whether it’s delivering exceptional sports travel experiences through Worldchoice Sports or enhancing the trade presence of Exoticca and Beachcomber Tours, we are committed to driving success for our clients.”
Hey originally launched Worldchoice Sports to the trade in 2021 while working on a freelance basis during the pandemic and will be representing the brand to agents nationwide. The operator specialises in premium sports experiences, selling packages for sports including Formula 1, rugby, football, golf, American sports, and major sporting events.
For Exoticca, which sells private and small group tours worldwide, Hey will represent the company regionally, in the north of England and the Midlands.
Exoticca managing director Neil Sealy said The Travel Representation Company would help the operator to grow its business in the north of England. Sealy will continue to cover the south.
“We need more people on the ground to better spread the word and provide better support for our agents.” said Sealy, adding: “With Richard being based in Yorkshire, he’s the ideal person to cover the north for us, and as we’re still only experiencing the ‘tip of the iceberg’ in the UK. Using a representation company is a cost-effective way of achieving this.
“Having said that, I’ve worked with Richard in the past and know him well, and he is being treated as a part of the Exoticca ‘family’ for all intents and purposes, so he will have the same level of resources and empowerment as a regular business development manager.”
For Beachcomber Tours, known for its luxury portfolio in Mauritius and the wider Indian Ocean including Arabia, Hey will boost the brand’s presence among agents in East Lancashire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
During Hey’s 25-year travel career, he has held roles at companies including Lux Resorts, If Only, and Bedsonline. He rejoined A & K in May 2022 as agency sales manager for the north and Midlands after being made redundant in 2020 as a result of Covid. He was promoted to head of agency sales for both brands in November 2023.