A HIGH-FLYING travel manager whose team has helped holidaymakers travel around the world nearly 350 times has landed a top award during her first full year in the role.
Michelle Alexander, who leads the team at Hays Travel in Liscard, opposite Superdrug, was named Manager of the Year at a glittering ceremony hosted annually by Hays Travel North West.
The awards are organised by Hays Travel North West managing director Don Bircham to celebrate the achievements of his more than 200-strong team.
Michelle, 37, who lives in Wallasey, oversaw the relocation of the branch early last year and also used the change in address to launch a fundraising drive and collection for the Charles Thompson Mission which helps the homeless.
Over the last 12 months, Michelle and her team of six staff have looked after travel bookings for 2,883 passengers on an incredible total of 8.6m miles – that’s the equivalent of travelling around the globe more than 347 times or going to the moon and back 18 times.
Michelle said: “It was a shock to win the award, I really wasn’t expecting it. I’ve only been manager here for 18 months and this was my first full year in the role.
“This award is also down to the team. We’ve all tried to do the very best we can. Customer service is a big thing for us and Hays Travel as a company.
“For us it’s a journey with the customer- from the very start to when they come home. We get a lot of repeat business because of that.
“The team have worked really hard over the past 12 months. We’ve all wanted the same thing and been determined to do well. Everyone wants to be the best they can be.”
Michelle, who has been with the company for nearly two-and-a-half years and was previously assistant manager at the Moreton branch, has thanked her regional manager Simone Murphy for her support since taking over the Wallasey branch.
She said: “Her support has been brilliant. It’s been a huge help to me. The role of manager is very different and can be challenging.
“Getting this award is the perfect reward. I always want to do the best.”
There was more awards success on the night for the Wallasey branch with Chelsea Thompson being named specifically as a high flyer.
Michelle said: “Chelsea has had another really good year and gets quite a lot of repeat business because she really looks after her customers. I’m delighted for her.”
Don Bircham, Managing Director for Hays Travel North West, which is the main partner of the Sunderland-based Hays Travel, said: “One of the key reasons for our ongoing success is the first class service our staff provide for our customers.
“We offer sound, independent travel advice and most importantly we listen to what our customers want so we are able to book them the perfect holiday. This is at the very heart of what we do as a company.
“The annual awards evening is an opportunity to reward the hard work that makes this happen and ultimately creates the thriving business we currently have.
“I’d like to congratulate Michelle on winning the Manager of the Year award which was so richly deserved.
“She has only been in the role for 18 months and this was her first full year so to win the award is a remarkable achievement.
“She is a very driven member of the Hays Travel team and that attitude is infectious. She’s had a fantastic impact on her team at the Wallasey branch and they should be rightly all proud of themselves for a fantastic year.”
To contact Michelle and her team, call 0151 639 1857 or Facebook is @HaysTravelWallasey