Tributes paid following death of Solmar Villas boss Julie Blake

Tributes have been paid to Solmar Villas managing director Julie Blake, who died last Thursday (April 17) aged 47.

 

Staff have highlighted their “passionate, funny and kind” leader and friend. 

 

She was described as always being a team player and an inspiration on how to lead by example.

 

Colleagues recall Blake as a risk taker who always came up with creative, out-of-the-box ideas and ran with them. She was not afraid to fail and would always see the potential in any opportunity.

 

Other team members said she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty either. 

 

There were countless occasions where Blake would drop her plans to help out the team – whether it was assisting with sales enquiries during the busy peak season, helping concierge in the middle of summer or loading villas to the new website in the midst of Covid.

 

Blake’s parents John and Maria Tayler set up Solmar Villas more than 30 years ago working out of a spare bedroom, and it was turned into a a multi-million-pound revenue generating company. 

 

The business was acquired by Dertour in January 2024.

 

Dertour UK chief executive Francis Torrilla will step in to run the business to ensure the smooth running of the organisation until a successor is appointed.

 

Solmar head of marketing Matt Bowley said: “It was never just about revenue for Julie. Her ethos was always about providing quality, really caring for our guests and going above and beyond to give people amazing villa holidays. 

 

“A family person and mother herself – she just got it. She got the importance of a holiday, the decision making that goes into it, the peace of mind you get knowing support is just a phone call away when you need it. 

 

“That’s what she built at Solmar – an amazing environment where everyone is as passionate as each other in giving our guests an amazing experience.”

 

Close friends of Blake added: “She had a unique style of leadership, she guided with grace, mentored with kindness and always brought a light to any room. 

 

“Julie never let the overseas team feel forgotten. Her laughter was infectious and her sense of humour could lift the heaviest of hearts. She checked in regularly and always wanted to know how the team was doing. She truly cared.”

 

Torrilla said: “It is with a heavy heart and with great sadness that I shared news of Julie’s passing with our team at Solmar.   

 

“I first met Julie in January 2023 when we started talking about her wish to sell the business. She was keen for Solmar to join the Dertour group of businesses and was welcomed by the senior team here, her passion for Solmar and in securing the future of her business by joining forces with other like-minded tour operators was foresight indeed. 

 

“Her actions have secured the future of Solmar and we will ensure that her legacy lives on.

 

“We will not be able to replace Julie and we will not try to. We will however find the right person to lead Solmar on its next iteration as we continue to take the business to other markets and villa guests worldwide.

 

“Our thoughts and prayers are now with her immediate family, Chris, Rose and Poppy as well as her parents, John and Maria, as they navigate this difficult time.”