Held at Durham’s Ramside Hall Hotel on Tuesday (13 February), the celebration saw staff hitting their 20-year service milestone receive an engraved piece of Sunderland glass, while all those reaching their 20- to 30-year milestones received a Hays gift voucher.

Tracey Luke, head of operations and flights at Hays’ in-house tour operator Vista, who celebrated her 30th anniversary at Hays, said she had remained at the company due to the support received throughout her career. 

"I started working at Hays Travel in March 1993 when I was just 20 years old, working as a telesales consultant in Houghton-le-Spring," she said. "After starting in telesales, I held various management roles including in customer relations, media research and administration.

"What has kept me at Hays Travel is the support you receive to navigate this. It feels like a big family that wants you to be the best you possibly can be."

Luke added: “I am so lucky to have worked for John and Irene, and to have experienced many roles where I have seen changes in colleagues, customers, technology, and opportunities throughout the years.”

Hays Travel owner Dame Irene Hays said: “Hays Travel provides people from all backgrounds, skillset, and experience with the opportunity to learn, develop and progress in their work, whether this be an apprentice first entering the working world or someone wishing to advance to a new role in their department.

"We are grateful that so many wish to stay with us and have long and successful careers.”