Midcounties Co-operative Travel group has appointed Karen Oates to the position of agent support manager for its homeworking division, The Personal Travel Agents at Co-operative Travel.
Oates has worked in the travel industry for 34 years, including roles with Thomas Cook, The Elite Travel Group, The Travel Network Group and First Choice Holidays.
She has worked for Midcounties Co-operative in the past, in both the homeworking and retail divisions.
Sheena Whittle, head of The Personal Travel Agents at Co-operative Travel, said: "Karen’s energy, expertise and experience in running a business herself, coupled with her strong reputation in the travel industry, make her the ideal candidate to help support and nurture our PTAs as well as recruit further quality agents. She is well known, respected and highly trusted which, in our business, is key."
Oates added: "I’m delighted to have returned to the Midcounties Co-operative family. The calibre of the PTAs we recruit is extremely high and I am looking forward to being part of the continued success that The Personal Travel Agents at Co-operative Travel has had over the past six years, in supporting a network of highly motivated and experienced homeworkers.
"I see my role as akin to the experienced colleague that sits next to you, when you first join a traditional travel agency, who answers all your questions and helps to steer you in the right direction. I am also there to support PTAs, who may be joining us from a high street agency, to integrate into the homeworking environment and, of course, the experienced homeworkers to ensure their existing businesses continue to flourish."
