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Veteran industry couple join CannyApp

Travel industry veteran couple Andrew and Teresa Nicholson are joining travel cash start-up CannyApp to support managing director Jane Atkins.

Andew Nicholson was formerly boss of Traveltainment and has held positions at companies including Thomas Cook, Avro, Virgin Travelstore, FlightBookers and AirTicketsDirect.

Teresa has worked for First Choice, lastminute.com, Medhotels/Hotels4u, Thomas Cook and Club 18-30 in a career dating back to 2000.

Atkins, former managing director of Shearings Holidays, said the couple would bring a wealth of operational and travel experience to CannyApp due to the rapid growth of the business in the post-pandemic era.

The firm was established in January to provide 3% cash back travel debit cards.

CannyApp non-executive director Andrew Mabbutt, former head of Feefo, said: “It’s great to be able to add two such experienced senior management to the team during this crucial period of expansion.

“The guys both live in France these days, but with our virtual first approach this is not an issue and allows us to bring them back into the UK industry where they are well known and respected”.

Andrew Nicholson will use his sales skills to focus on adding travel partners to promote the card, who earn 1% of the expenditure of cards taken out by customers.

Teresa will work with partners to maximise earning opportunities as well as managing the customer support function.

They said: “As early adopters of the CannyApp card, we have experienced first-hand the benefits to users. Layer on to this the benefit to the partner, for both their brand recognition and ancillary income, it’s clear that the CannyApp card is a great opportunity.

“CannyApp provides a tool that offers the customer substantial FX [foreign exchange] savings over high street bank debit or credit cards, whilst providing a secure payment solution whilst they travel on holiday.

Atkins added: “This is such an exciting time for travel when many customers are making up for lost time, and foreign exchange is the only ancillary that 100% of travellers leaving the UK need.

“Adding Andrew and Teresa’s experience means CannyApp can really maximise opportunities in the UK travel market place.”

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