Jonathan Woodall, who earned a place in TTG’s exclusive Tomorrow’s Travel Leaders group in the second year of the scheme, joined Hays in 2004 as an apprentice.

He worked in retail for four years before moving into the finance team in head office, most recently in the role of finance manager.

In the newly-created role of group head of commercial, Woodall will take a group-level approach to driving sales for partners across the group, including the Hays Independence Group, tour operating, transfers, and beds.

“Looking at commercials at a group level is a change in strategy for us; rather than focusing on contracts and agreements it’s going to be about working really closely with suppliers, devising marketing activity and driving sales for them across the business,” he said.

Woodall will now oversee a team of more than 60, and has ultimate responsibility for the Hays IG group, with IG support manager Harriet Grainger remaining the day-to-day contact for members.

Chris Oakes, the former head of the IG division, left the business in June and will not be directly replaced.

“The IG division is in great shape,” said Woodall. “We’ve had 10 new members this year, we’ve just relaunched the IG website, and our IG conference is going to be the biggest for four years – it’s totally sold out.”

Woodall, now aged 28, cites the 30 Under 30 scheme as playing a significant role in his career development.

“Having the opportunity to network with other members and to hear from inspiring business leaders like Peter Long gave me the drive to push on with my own career,” he said. “It’s all been a bit of a whirlwind for my career since then.”

The Hays IG Conference is taking place onboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas this weekend with the theme of “Making the most of your independence”. The keynote speech will be by Josh Valman, a design and product development expert who helps businesses spot potential for growth.

The third TTG Tomorrow’s Travel Leaders conference takes place in London on November 25. See the agenda and buy tickets here.