When I took over my agency at the end of 1999 I had had twenty years sales experience in the Retail Hardware market. As you can imagine this was a far cry from the global world of travel about which I knew absolutely nothing. However after my initial meeting with the Uniglobe regional team I was so impressed with the ethos of the company and the commitment by Uniglobe to help me build my business, that I decided to take over a small but potentially promising agency, which was turning over £1.4 Million and numbered three members of staff.

However it soon became apparent that the previous owner had let things slide and I was going to have a tremendous challenge on my hands to once again make this agency a success. With Uniglobe’s help and some marvellous travel professionals who came into my life, including Paul Brand my Operations Manager, we started to turn the agency around.  I think that I can safely say that without Paul’s equal enthusiasm and our determination to succeed and the support, guidance and encouragement of the Uniglobe regional team and my fellow Uniglobe members I would not be where I am today.

Without this invaluable support network I would not have been able to take my agency from near the bottom of the Uniglobe UK group to the third largest UK agency with gross sales exceeding £4.2 Million.   I shall never forget my first induction training at International in Vancouver.

I found the training extremely professional, informative, valuable and fun it certainly helped me focus on how to develop my business. The continued information from our Uniglobe friends on the other side of the pond about what is happening in their market place allows us to be very forward thinking and proactive within the UK. I now know many Uniglobe members who have started new agencies from scratch as well as others who have re-signed after completing the ten-year agreement. This is a tribute to the quality of the organisation of which we are all part and, I for one look forward to many years of association with Uniglobe.

- John Burroughes, UNIGLOBE Preferred Travel Group