Richard Hey says he finally has the confidence to “grow my own business”, after announcing his departure from Abercrombie & Kent UK last week.

The Leeds native has officially launched The Travel Representation Company, a B2B organisation that promotes operators’ brands and products to the trade. 

He is currently working with Worldchoice Sports (whom he introduced to the sector during the pandemic), as well as Exoticca and Beachcomber Tours. 

Hey rejoined Abercrombie & Kent UK and Cox & Kings as an agency sales manager in 2022, having already worked for the luxury travel brand during 2020. He confirmed he would be leaving Abercrombie & Kent in February 2025, nearly a year and half after he was promoted to head of agency sales.

Speaking to TTG Luxury, Hey shared further details on the decision behind the move. 

“We’re in much more stable times now that the pandemic is over, and I’ve got the confidence that I can make a longterm business out of this,” he said. “I’ve agreed some great contracts with these three businesses.” 

Along with tailored marketing and promotion, The Travel Representation Company will also support businesses’ sales growth and offer strategic insight. 

When asked about his relationship with Worldchoice Sports, Hey said: 

“I launched Worldchoice Sports to the trade in April 2021. The business is independently owned and I’ve enjoyed a strong working partnership with chief executive officer Shay Soni for more than 15 years. Since the initial B2B launch four years ago, the trade business has organically grown to 40% trade.  

This is a result of the trade-friendly approach where we offer price parity to the trade, as well as industry leading expertise across a wide range of sports travel experiences from F1 and Moto GP, to rugby, football, tennis, golf and even American sports.”