Dale Sourbutts, who founded New Travel Holidays in March, has appointed Paul Foster as a director. The pair met more than 30 years ago when Foster began his travel career straight from school with Althams Travel.
The pair are searching for around 10 experienced agents to join them. “The plan is to scale it by recruiting self-employed homeworkers,” said Sourbutts, a former managing director of Cruise 1st. "I'd like five or six initially, but if 10 come along, I'll take all 10. If 50 come along, I won’t know what to do."
Sourbutts set up the brand earlier this year as a lifestyle choice following a three-year career break so he could spend more time with his young daughter, something the new venture allows him to do.
“I’m not trying to set the world on fire – when I want to spend time with my daughter, I will. I then thought, how can I help other people achieve this lifestyle?”
New Travel is a member of the Advantage Travel Partnership, and its offer to recruits aligns the consortium's pitch, charging no monthly fees and offering a 70:30 commission split. Agents can also use their own branding. “The setup takes two weeks,” Sourbutts said.
Sourbutts said he had persuaded his friend to join him after their weekly game of badminton. Foster’s experience includes a spell with ATP International, where he helped set up a department specialising in UK and continental rail travel.
Foster later joined ATP’s Manchester office in the sports department, working with the Football Association and England football team. He then returned to Althams as business travel manager, a position he held for 18 years before taking a career break of his own.
"After speaking with Dale about his plans and vision for New Travel, it didn’t take much convincing for me to return to the industry I’ve loved all my life," he said. "I’m excited to be part of this journey and to help New Travel grow and thrive.”
Sourbutts said New Travel was unlikely to expand onto the high street, but added: “I’m not discounting the move to bricks and mortar, but I don’t want to run it."
