Staff Spotlight: Celebrating 30 years at Travel Places
This year, we’re celebrating an incredible milestone as Becky Thomas marks 30 years with Travel Places. Since joining the business in 1996, Becky has seen Travel Places grow from a small team based in Arundel to the company we know today.
To mark her anniversary, Becky reflects on three decades of change, growth and memorable experiences, sharing some of the moments, people and opportunities that have shaped her journey at Travel Places…
Thirty years of change
When I started, Travel Places was a very different company. We were based at Quay House in Arundel and had around 20 employees or so.
Both Bob and Chris Warren were very much involved in the day-to-day operation of the business, with Bob regularly attending Formula 1 races. Technology was a little different too. We still had a fax machine in the office, which makes me feel old, and every airline ticket was printed and posted out to clients.
Life on the Formula 1 team
I joined the Formula 1 team and spent my early years managing travel for a variety of F1 teams. It was a fantastic introduction to the industry and gave me opportunities that I might never otherwise have experienced.
Travel has always been one of my passions, and I loved attending races around the world. Brazil and Japan stand out in my memory. Wherever I travelled, I always tried to make the most of being there by exploring as much as possible.
The one race I never managed to get to was Argentina, which was always a bit of a frustration as it was a destination I would have loved to experience.
A new career in HR
After I returned from maternity leave, I began moving into the HR side of the business and completed my CIPD qualification. What started as a new challenge quickly became a career that I genuinely love.
As Travel Places has grown, so too has my role. I’ve been fortunate to support the company through significant periods of growth and development, helping to build policies and support staff across the business.
The people behind the journey
Looking back, it is the people who have made the biggest impact on me. Over 30 years, I’ve worked alongside some amazing people.
The company today is very different from the one I joined in 1996, but the underlying values feel much the same. There’s always been a strong sense of teamwork and a willingness to go the extra mile.
The business has grown, technology has transformed the way we work, and we’ve welcomed many new faces, but the sense of family remains.
When I think about what I’m most proud of, it’s not a single achievement. I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a career that has challenged and motivated me, and I’m grateful for the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had along the way.
