February 2007

HILLGATE TRAVEL: A BACKGROUND

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2007, Hillgate Travel is the UK’s largest independent travel management company.

Family-owned and managed, Hillgate Travel has a turnover in excess of £150 million and a client portfolio of more than 300 accounts. Hillgate Travel is a niche operator primarily focusing on the quality demands of the City market. Their client list contains some of the oldest family names in the City alongside three of the largest US investment banks and many other financial services organisations.

The company has an enviable reputation for innovation, using technology to provide essential day-to-day support for its clients and their travelling executives. And with around 200 staff and ranked in the top 10 of UK travel management companies, Hillgate Travel is built on a strong service quality platform, resulting in one of the industry’s best client retention records.

Hillgate Travel was founded in 1982 by Jeremy Bull, who remains chairman and chief executive. His brothers Mark and Simon are also directors of the company, the former responsible for IT and the latter for client services.

Hillgate Travel’s headquarters are in central London, while it also has offices in High Wycombe and Newport. All locations are wholly-owned and operated, ensuring that corporate culture, values, philosophies and service qualities are upheld across the organisation.

Three key areas define the service ethos at Hillgate Travel:

Quality service
Hillgate Travel was established as a competitive agency offering the highest quality service. It does not ‘tender trail’ to add companies to its portfolio for the sake of turnover, preferring to put its energies into retaining clients. Hillgate fashioned its low-cost operation centres in High Wycombe and Newport with the aim of maintaining an environment of service quality without resorting to a call centre-style mentality.

Innovation
Hillgate Travel has an outstanding reputation for innovation. It specialises in providing the most accurate and bespoke method of reporting available and is able to build specific technology and travel-related programmes to enhance service to clients. Among these features are Hillgate’s unique ‘People Tracker’ service, enabling the company and its clients to immediately pinpoint the location of travellers in the event of natural disasters or other emergencies.

Empowered management
When awarded a new contract, Hillgate appoints a dedicated team and dedicated account manager to service the account to ensure all promises are delivered. With a flat reporting system, the account manager has a level of empowerment not achievable in larger TMC organisations.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Hillgate Conference and Incentives (HCI)
Formed in 1988, this wholly-owned Hillgate Travel subsidiary has developed a niche profile within the conferences and meetings sector, in keeping with the parent company ethos. HCI operates with a dedicated team of highly-experienced professionals and acts as a complete outsource for client needs.

Highlights of the company history include managing the global sales conference for Computer Associates, gaining permission for a Harley Davidson motor-cycle to roar across a London stage for Henkel and getting a Peugot 206 to the top of Switzerland’s Schilthorn Mountain for the car company.

Passport and visa service
Hillgate operates its own passport and visa department to handle requests from beginning to end. Linked to a three-times-a-day in-house courier, this provides further enhancement to Hillgate’s quality ethos.

Airport meet and greet
Again, this service at Heathrow is run by Hillgate Travel’s own staff to ensure the highest quality support. The airport team has an average length of service with Hillgate of more than 10 years, providing much-admired continuity and expertise.


KEY PERSONNEL
Jeremy Bull Chairman and Chief Executive
Mark Bull IT Director
Simon Bull Client Services Director

Liz Carter General Manager
Steve Ensor Financial Controller
Angela Beetlestone Divisional Director, Hillgate Conference and Incentives
Nicky Tollworthy Supplier Relations Manager
Andrew Burch Business Development Manager

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For media information, please contact:

Rebecca Genin at rebecca@saltmarshpr.co.uk

Tel: 020 7928 1600
Fax: 020 7928 1700

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