Learning and development team leader Emma Ndoni was named among the seven September winners, who will each receive £500 a month towards their household bills for the next six months.

Also among the winners was Megan Handover from Miles Morgan Travel’s Portishead branch after Hays in August confirmed the Big Thank You would be extended to colleagues from MMT and also Travel House.

Hays Travel acquired Travel House in November 2023 and went on to confirm a deal for Miles Morgan Travel in May this year.

Now into its third year, the Big Thank You rewards Hays colleagues from across its retail, head office and homeworking operations for their endeavours over the past year.

The seven September winners were:

• Samia, retail apprentice, Hays Travel Maidenhead – central division
• Lauren, travel consultant, Hays Travel Killingworth – north division
• Martin, foreign exchange sales consultant, Hays Travel Sidmouth – south division
• Claire, branch manager, Hays Travel Great Yarmouth – SAIL division (Scotland, Anglia, Ireland and Lancashire)
• Megan, travel specialist, Miles Morgan Travel, Portishead – west division (including Miles Morgan Travel and Travel House)
• Emma, learning and development team leader – head office
• Harriet, personal travel consultant leads supported – personal travel consultants, virtual call centre and cruise call centre

Next month, the seven October winners will each receive £2,000 towards a holiday of their choice.

Ndoni said the September prize would allow her to book a "very first family holiday" for her, her husband and their three children.

"I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the Hays family, working in the learning and development team, where I get to see first-hand the dedication and talent of our amazing staff," she said.

"There are so many hardworking and deserving people here, and to be one of the lucky ones to be receiving this prize really highlights how much Hays Travel invests in its people."

Hays Travel chair Dame Irene Hays said the initiative was designed to "brighten up the dark, cold winter months" and show the independent’s appreciation for everything the wider Hays Travel family does.

"We decided to make it even bigger this year and raise the excitement by offering even more chances to win," said Dame Irene.

"On behalf of the board, I extend huge congratulations to all the winners – we hope we have made you very happy people and that you enjoy the additional money to spend in the run up to Christmas and beyond.”