The brand, which currently has a core team of three full-time staff, is planning to recruit up to five new independent home-based agents to sell under the Wonderluxe brand before the end of the year, with familiarisation training to take place in December ahead of the peaks period in January.

Wonderluxe director Sheena Sumner said: “We’ll offer a handsome commission split, marketing and back-office support and paid suppliers. They’ll also have full access to our Atol number, a very lengthy list of suppliers and partners, and the Wonderluxe branding, so essentially they would be running their own business within the business.”

Now trading for three-and-a-half years, and enjoying a healthy recovery from the pandemic, Sumner and her colleagues felt the time was right to expand the brand. “We looked at the market and what others were doing, particularly in the luxury field, and decided we should branch out and open our doors to independent consultants,” said Sumner.

The company will offer a competitive package to new independent consultants, with no joining fees or card fees, for instance. Sumner said she would also look at increasing the commission split as consultants hit a certain percentage of bookings, revenue or profit value.

Sumner said new affiliates will preferably have at least two to three years of luxury travel selling experience, and an existing client base, though the company is willing to provide training and support to candidates who haven’t sold luxury holidays before. 

As part of the business expansion, the Derby-based brand is planning on moving into new city centre offices in the next four to six weeks to give its core staff a communal work and meeting space and to act as a headquarters for the business. Sumner said independent affiliates will also have the option to work in the new offices.

As well as a new HQ, Sumner said next summer 2023 will see Wonderluxe open up shop in a central Derby location.