Newly-launched homeworking firm Travel Solutions Network (TSN) has bolstered its board with the appointments of ex-Tui finance director Will Waggott and former MyTravel chief executive Richard Carrick.
Both industry veterans join the group as non-executive directors and shareholders alongside former their former Airtours colleague Steve Endacott, chairman of TSN.
TSN, founded by Garry and Lindsey Winterburn, is aiming to recruit hundreds of experienced travel professionals to work on outsourced contracts as they build their own client bases.
Endacott said: “Having grown up with Will and Richard during our formative years as supposedly bright young things during the heydays of Airtours, we have great respect for each other’s complementary skillsets, and I believe TSN will massively benefit from having such industry experts as part of the team driving the growth of TSN’s homeworking network”.
Carrick, currently a non-executive director for a range of travel and non-travel business, will focus on shaping the marketing templates and distribution routes that TSN homeworkers can use to create both local and national networks of customers.
He said: “All homeworkers need to harvest their personal ‘black book’ of local contracts to develop their initial clientele base.
“However, many have destination expertise that TSN can market centrally on a national basis, with the homeworkers using our cutting-edge video conferencing tools to establish a personalised relationship when presenting back holiday options.
“It’s vital that homeworking tools are modernised, and I believe TSN have come up with a winning platform.”
Waggott will head-up acquisitions and mergers, as well as assisting Garry Winterburn in further fundraising rounds if they become necessary to fast track expansion.
He said: “The homeworking sector is set for massive expansion which makes it an attractive investment proposition.
“However, combining this with a cost-saving outsourcing partnership play is a real winner in a marketplace where UK travel business will need the ability to expand fast and stay nimble on their feet in case any further Covid-19 disruption occurs.”
Garry Winterburn said: “I feel like we have put together the non-executive dream team who bring specific industry experience and contacts, but also have a wealth of general business experience that we can call upon in our rapid growth journey.
“We’ve already had a flood of applicants expressing interest and asking for more information, which I think will now increase further as people see the scale of our plans.”