Twenty years ago, a video channel called YouTube was launched, Glamping became an official word, and Google Maps was created, giving us a unique view of the world.
In the same year a new Travel Recruitment business was launched, eponymously named Gail Kenny Executive Search (later changed to Gail Kenny Executive Recruitment because the term “search” became synonymous with Google). And I’m delighted to say that along with the more illustriously named YouTube, Glamping and Google Maps, Gail Kenny Executive Recruitment has passed the test of time.
It’s always cool to say that you started your business from your bedroom, but that would be bending the truth a bit, as we actually had a study in the house! So many things have changed in the past 20 years, but some things come full circle, and we are back working from home again!
But oh how the world of travel and recruitment have changed in twenty years though. “The big four” Vertically Integrated Tour Op groups, Thomson TUI , Thomas Cook, Airtours and First Choice, were still in existence and hadn’t yet merged. Only one out of those four companies now exist. easyJet was just an airline, and Jet2.com and Jet2holidays only had 2 aircraft. loveholidays, who came from nowhere, based on bespoke technology and the laser focus and drive of founders Alex Francis and Jonny Marsh whom we were fortunate to work closely with in the early days of crazy growth. There’s something special about working with a hocky-stick scale up. easyJet holidays are having a similar rise to success albeit with the benefit of a recognisable brand, and it’s a privilege to be able work with them. These four (Jet2 Holidays, TUI, Loveholidays, easyJet Holidays) along with On the Beach now make up the big 5 for 2025.
You could argue that starting a recruitment business is not too difficult, since you don’t need an office, much tech, or any staff. However, I think my partner Gail Kenny will vehemently disagree with that comment! One thing for certain, is that you do need are some clients. GKER launched with 3 clients, and its more about the people than the brands, so thank you for your support in getting us off the ground: Paul Carter (then at RCI), Paul Evans (Lowcost Travel Group) and Nigel Wright right (then with @Thames Clippers). We were also fortunate to get to work with some of the leading OTA’s of the day such as Expedia Group, Tripadvisor and Opodo (now eDreams ODIGEO).
Starting a business is one thing, scaling it, bringing in staff and training them to work in your unique style is a much bigger challenge. Like many businesses we have had some great teams and seen many of those people go on to have much success with their careers in the Travel Industry. To mention a few; Chris Burwell, Stuart Milan, Mark Houston, Vicki Mills.
Cruise was still important 20 years ago, but not as much as it is today. Luxury travel has grown significantly in the past two decades. The low cost carriers now dominate short haul leisure flying. Corporate travel has undergone significant consolidation and US based tech businesses are driving innovation and growth. Accommodation aggregators such as Booking.com, HBX Group, Webeds, also lead. Homeworking just wasn’t a thing – but now it’s standard practice and travel innovators such as Travel Counsellors, InteleTravel.com and Not Just Travel have made great businesses from it. Adventure Travel has become a thing, and businesses such as G Adventures, Intrepid Travel and Explore Worldwide have become the vanguards of sustainable travel. The pandemic helped develop the concept of Staycations, but it also reinvigorated the retail travel sector as it reminded customers the importance of re-assurance.
In that 20 year journey, we faced off the threats of Linkedin, the financial crisis of 2008, and of course more recently, Covid-19. Being agile and preserving cash were lessons learned from previous recessions, but the pandemic was on another scale because no one knew the end game. It did however introduce some valuable trends in recruitment, including the omnipresent candidate assessment via video call, as well as the normalisation of hybrid working.
Job titles have changed somewhat in this epoch, you might remember Internet Manager, which become Web Manager, then Online Manager, and now more likely Digital or Ecommerce Manager. And a Market Manager probably worked on a market stall! A Product Manager needed detailed knowledge perhaps on Spain, Greece or Villas, as opposed to UI, IA and UX, and don’t get me started on what a Prompt Engineer might have looked like! What I’d really like to know is who came up with the term Human Resources or HR? Thankfully this has generally morphed into People & Culture departments. And of course recruiters now work in Talent Acquisition!
What hasn’t changed, has been our commitment to promoting Talent in our industry through various Sponsorships, including Travolution.com‘s Rising Star Award and The Travel Marketing Awards. We have always believed strongly in the purpose of Inclusivity, before DEI became an acronym.
Where demand currently outstrips supply is in digital, data and development – and we’re all over the first two. Plus, we added a hospitality division to the business four years ago, headed by the talented Hannah Antell.
One thing that remains the same as when we launched is the need for travel businesses to hire high calibre, talented candidates. The tools used to help find them have changed, and AI search plays a prominent part, but it’s less good at understanding an employer’s culture and how values and purpose align. Our team are experts at this, and it’s our people that are our key differentiator.
So, a big shout out to the super talented and tenacious Richard Merry, Kay Bustin, Melissa Kane (Evans), Clare Watson, Hannah Antell, Laura Davis along with Amanda Norey, James Kenny and the ever supportive Carol Dray
And a final word for the person who took an idea and made it in to reality, thank you Gail Kenny, you’re an inspiration.
