Founded in Ipswich in June 1988, Fred Olsen Travel has grown from a single branch to nearly 20 across East Anglia, the south coast and West Sussex, and is now UK sales agent for Star Clipper.
The business retains a strong corporate travel arm, and has served as general sales agent for Norwegian Coastal Voyages (now Hurtigruten) and Peter Deilmann River Cruises.
Earlier this year, a strategic review created two new operational director roles across Fred Olsen Travel, with Paul Hardwick taking up the group’s new director of retail post. Tricia Birmingham, meanwhile, has since joined the business from Gold Medal parent dnata as director of tour operations.
More than 135 members of Fred Olsen Travel staff and key operator partners recently gathered for a commemorative dinner at Belstead Brook Hotel in Ipswich, where a prize draw raised money for two defibrillators, which will be sited in locations where there are Fred Olsen agencies.
Managing director Steve Williams hailed it a "very special occasion". "It’s always fantastic to bring all parts of the business together and celebrate as only the travel industry knows how.
"It’s been a rollercoaster journey, and it was incredible to share such a positive evening with the people that helped support the company through some dark days.
"It was a time to reflect on the journey we have been on, but also to look to the future as we are on track to deliver a record year and have some ambitious plans to take the business forward.”
Fred Olsen through the ages
- 1988: Fred Olsen Travel opened its first retail outlet in East Anglia. There are currently 10 branches in the region.
- 2004: Fred Olsen Travel entered the world of franchising with the acquisition of Go Cruise from Victoria Travel.
- 2005: Steve Williams became managing director of Fred Olsen Travel when turnover was £17 million. Turnover is expected to break through £100 million by the end of the year.
- 2013: The Fred Holidays tour operation product was created and the company has subsequently added river, rail and discover to its portfolio of specialisms.
- 2015: Fred Olsen Travel opened its first retail agency on the south coast. There are currently six branches on the south coast.
- 2022: Fred. Olsen Travel opened its first retail agency in West Sussex and a second will be opening shortly.
- 2023: By the end of the year, Fred Olsen Travel will have 18 retail agencies in East Anglia, on the south coast and in West Sussex.
- 2023: Following a strategy review of the Fred Olsen Travel business, two new operational director roles were created – director of retail, which is headed up by Paul Hardwick, and director of tour operations, which is headed up by Tricia Birmingham.
