Our People

After completing a degree in Business Administration at the University of Bath, Steve spent a decade living and working overseas in Austria, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, primarily within the travel industry. He joined Albatross in 1999 as Incoming Manager of the then Albatross Travel Group and, in 2006, relocated to Wiltshire to become Managing Director of group tour operator Success Tours. Steve was part the management team that undertook of the first management buyout the Albatross Group, later assuming the role of Chief Operating Officer. Appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2016, he completed a further management buyout of the Group in 2017 together with Adam Handy, becoming Co-CEO.

Adam joined Albatross in 2007 as Head of Finance, following a successful career in mainstream tour operations. A member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, he was promoted to the Group Board in 2009 and has since taken on broad responsibility for the Group’s service functions, including Finance, People & Administration and IT. With a strong interest in leadership, people development and technology, Adam plays a key role in shaping the Group’s operational and cultural direction. In 2017, he partnered with Steve Hornby in a management buyout of the Albatross Group, becoming Co-CEO. Outside the business, Adam has a long-standing commitment to his local community and served for many years as part of Larkfield Football Club in Kent.

Denise joined Albatross in 2011, having previously worked as a long-standing and trusted supplier to the Group in her role as Travel Trade Sales Director at Paramount Hotels. She was appointed Head of UK Sales, with an initial focus on developing business with UK coach operators, before being promoted in 2013 to lead wholesale operations across the business. In 2015, Denise was appointed Managing Director of Albatross Travel and the following year, assumed overall responsibility for the Group’s business-to-business brands. She joined the Group Board in 2016 and is widely recognised as a leading figure within the coach tourism sector. More recently, Denise played a pivotal role in the integration of Norman Allen Group Travel into the Group, following its acquisition in 2025.

Tony has spent many years working within the group travel organiser market, building strong and lasting relationships across the industry. He joined the Albatross Group in 2005 as National Sales Manager for Success Tours and was promoted to General Manager in 2013, taking responsibility for the long-term development of the brand. In 2024, Tony brought forward a vision for a new niche consumer business focused on immersive travel experiences for discerning travellers seeking to discover the real Italy. This led to the launch of Magari Tours, where he now oversees the brand’s strategic direction and growth.

Shelley joined the Albatross Group in 2023 as Managing Director of Albatross Tours, following a senior career with Australia’s largest travel retailer, Flight Centre Travel Group. Her background spans strategy, customer experience and cultural transformation, with a strong focus on sustainable growth. Based in Brisbane, Shelley leads the continued development of Albatross Tours in Australia, with an emphasis on innovation, team culture and customer engagement. She is also an active industry contributor, supporting the future of the Australian travel sector through initiatives including the Travel Industry Mentor Experience (TIME) programme.

Heather joined Albatross in 2000 as an Admin Assistant after taking a career break to raise her family, having previously worked in accounts roles across manufacturing and service industries. Over time, she transitioned into the Accounts department and went on to complete her AAT qualification. With experience across all aspects of the finance function, Heather has built extensive knowledge of the business and now leads the Group’s Finance department, overseeing its day-to-day financial operations.

After completing a degree in Business Administration at the University of Kent, Niamh began her career in management within the retail sector. She later discovered a passion for people and moved into HR, spending 14 years in retail while starting a family. Niamh completed her CIPD qualification while on maternity leave and joined the Albatross Group in 2018 as HR Manager. Within a year, she was promoted to Head of People, where she and her team play a key role in ensuring Albatross remains a positive, supportive and engaging place to work. Niamh’s most recent achievement has been the successful role out of Franklin Covey’s development programme: The 7 Habits of Highly Effect People, across the Group.

My love of the Travel Trade began whilst working at Marriott Hotels UK. My hotel career began in 2003 and in 2012 I took up the position of National Account Manager Leisure, managing a portfolio of coach operators, wholesalers both domestic and inbound as well as FIT. I also had the privilege, during this role, of being appointed to the board of the Coach Tourism Association, serving 2 terms, and am thrilled to have just been appointed for another term. I was delighted to join Albatross in March 2020. The company ethos and values, but most importantly the people, have made this a very easy transition to the ‘other side’ of the business and it is a truly great place to work! I am delighted and excited to take on my new role as MD and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Hannah-Jane joined The Albatross Group in 2011 as a Personal Assistant supporting the Leadership Team. Now on her seventh Albatross role Hannah-Jane leads our Continuous Improvement Team who are responsible for our systems, processes, commercial reporting and technology infrastructure ensuring that they are effective, secure and robust. Hannah-Jane’s mantra and that of her team is, synergy – to help Albatross work more effectively as a Group than as the sum of its individual parts.

A year of travelling through Canada gave Jo a passion for travel and after returning home, switched university course from Sports Science to Travel & Tourism! After graduating, Jo worked in the French Alps as a ski rep and spent another 2 years working and travelling through Australia, New Zealand, Canada (again) and SE Asia. Back in the UK, she worked for several tour operators specialising in European travel to broaden her product knowledge. For the past 30 years, Jo has gained a wealth of experience in the groups market working closely with group leaders having joined Success Tours in 2013, and recently moving into a management role leading the growing Albatross private groups team. Jo is passionate about creating memorable experiences for clients with high level customer service at the heart of it all, as well as building strong relationships with her team, clients and suppliers.

Having spent over 30 years in the travel industry, covering beach holidays, cruises and touring, it’s fair to say that I have the bug! A convert to B2B, I joined the Albatross Group in May 2018 and have been thoroughly enjoying myself ever since, embracing the different brands and opportunities I have to help them grow. I’m delighted to see that some of my favourite overseas destinations are covered (like Austria and Portugal) as well as the Lake District, Wales and Scotland; some of my childhood haunts which I look forward to revisiting.

My passion for travelling began as a child and my journey in the travel industry began. An extensive grounding in the hotel world with an industry leading TMC lead me into the specialist groups and tours market in 2002. I then joined Albatross in 2009 and have never looked back, originally in a sales role I was then given a fantastic opportunity 10 years ago to become a Contract Manager. This has allowed me to develop further within my role, travel extensively, work on a fantastic product range and closely with our suppliers to ensure we deliver a superb holiday experience for our travellers. My favourite destination is Ireland for its beautiful scenery, craic, people, food and drink. It’s impossible to have a favourite however anything for along the magnificent Wild Atlantic.

Having been with Albatross Travel for since 2006, I still find my job as interesting and rewarding as ever! The team is extremely focused on providing the best levels of service and committed to working with our clients to ensure their passengers have the best possible holiday experience. This what makes this job so special. My favourite destination is Sorrento and The Amalfi Coast in Italy, as it has such beautiful scenery with so many interesting places to visit.  The weather is usually nice and warm too!

With over 25 years’ experience across travel, transport, education and customer operations, Jodi joined the Albatross Group in 2025 as General Manager and Head of Albatross Motoring. Jodi has extensive experience leading operational teams, driving business performance and delivering outstanding customer experiences. Her career has included senior leadership roles within The Kings Ferry and international education organisations in Dubai, where she managed multi-site operations, strategic projects and large customer-focused teams. Known for her hands on leadership style and passion for people development, Jodi combines commercial awareness with operational expertise and a strong focus on continuous improvement. At Albatross Motoring, she leads the team responsible for creating memorable motoring enthusiast holidays and experiences for customers across the UK and beyond.

My love of travel began in my late 20’s when, as all good Aussies do, I set off backpacking around the UK and Europe for 2 years.  Returning home penniless, but with a wealth of amazing experiences, I decided I wanted a job that provided me with opportunities to travel.  My travel career began with a Mediterranean wholesaler.  I joined Albatross Tours Australia in 2002 when it was still in its relative infancy and have been privileged to be a part of its growth to the successful business that it is today.  Now based in the UK, I continue to work closely with the Australian team to create, develop and operate our incredible range of European tours.

After earning his Masters in Tourism Management from the University of Surrey, James built a foundation in the UK’s cruise and touring sector before relocating to Australia in 2010. A seasoned leader, he served as Treasurer for the Visit USA Organisation (2022–2024) and has consulted for the Australian Travel Industry Association to drive event and membership growth. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, James joined Albatross Tours in 2024. Beyond his executive roles, he is deeply committed to the next generation of travel professionals, currently serving his twelfth year as a mentor for final-year tourism students at his alma mater.

Harry’s love of travel began at an early age, with family holidays in France and Greece, then backpacking adventures through Asia after University. He began his travel industry career at a UK-based tour operator in 2005, before moving to Brisbane in 2016 to help establish an Australian branch of the business. He has held leadership roles in Sales, Marketing and Business Development for tour operators and travel agencies, joining Albatross Tours in 2025. As Director of Sales, he is responsible for driving business growth, and maintaining strong relationships with our trade partners in Australia and New Zealand.

I’m a veteran of the Travel industry with over 38 years of experience in a mix of roles from selling, coaching, leadership, and partnerships across a variety of industry sectors from Airlines, Wholesale, Supply, FIT and now specialising in the Premium European Coach Touring Market. Having only been at Albatross Tours just on 2 years, I can already tell it’s a place I want to be for a long time! I enjoy sharing my expertise and experiences with both our customers and colleagues whenever I get the chance. Experiences are what create memories. It’s why you’ll find me experiencing live music as often as I can.

I began working in the Wholesale travel industry in 1997, joining Albatross Travel as an Operations Assistance and working my way up to Head of Sales over 14 years. After taking a year out to travel, I returned to the industry with a move to Hereford to join Norman Allen Group Travel as Commercial Manager for the Inbound Department, where I have gained a knowledge of in-depth tour operation and special interest trips for our overseas clients. This role was expanded in 2018, when I also took on the role of manager for the Wholesale Continental Tours department, expanding on the experience and knowledge I have previously gained. Having now gone ’full circle’, I am delighted to be working within the Albatross Group and look forward to the future. Throughout the years, my passion and curiosity for travel remains as strong as ever.

With over 25 years at Norman Allen Group Travel, I began my career in the Continental Tours Department, where I loved selling Holland, with Floriade 2002 a particular highlight. I moved into a Sales Executive role in 2011, focusing on e-offers, before stepping into a cover role in the UK & Eire Tours Department. This became permanent in 2015. Since then, I’ve managed and developed a wide range of travel products, including many “bucket list” itineraries. I particularly enjoy showcasing destinations that surprise people closer to home – the Isles of Herm and Harris stand out as excellent examples of just how much there is to explore so close to home.