Our Group Contracting Team

Janine Cuff

My passion for travelling began as a child and my journey in the travel industry began. An extensive grounding in the hotel world with an industry leading TMC lead me into the specialist groups and tours market in 2002. I then joined Albatross in 2009 and have never looked back, originally in a sales role I was then given a fantastic opportunity 10 years ago to become a Contract Manager. This has allowed me to develop further within my role, travel extensively, work on a fantastic product range and closely with our suppliers to ensure we deliver a superb holiday experience for our travellers. My favourite destination is Ireland for its beautiful scenery, craic, people, food and drink. Its impossible to have a favourite however anything for along the magnificent Wild Atlantic.

Mark Cocks

Sometimes I have to pinch myself mentally to remind myself how long I’ve been working within the travel industry that I have grown to love.  From very humble beginnings in 1995, I’ve been involved with hotels in one role or another until the present day and have experienced all the ups and downs in group tourism from terrorist activity to global pandemics.  I’ve enjoyed working in various markets over the years from the inbound markets of Eastern Europe, Russia, Germany, Asia, Brazil and Japan to dealing with the UK and Australian market since joining Albatross in 2008. Within the varied brands of the group, I am really blessed to have had the opportunity to develop a wide range of products across several countries.  I still retain a passion for discovering and developing new destinations by finding those “little gems” that develop into the cornerstones of any program.  My favourite destination remains Switzerland, a country that consistently delivers some of the most amazing travel experiences in Europe.

Paul Stratton

After years of working overseas as a rep in both Italy and France and running the Inghams Italy programme for over 5 years I have now been involved with the Albatross Travel Group for 23 years! (eight of these years I spent running Success Tours). I look after the whole of Italy for the Albatross Travel Group in terms of purchasing, developing new product and training our teams on Italy. My favourite destination is of course Italy, but it’s a bit of a dilemma to choose which part as it’s all so beautiful! If the push came to the shove I’d probably have to say Lake Garda and Sicily. Nothing to do with the amazing food and wine there, of course!

Robert Ramsay

Most of my adult life was spent in the French Alps as the lure of Snowsports was too strong for me to resist, and whilst there I worked as a contractor for a Ski Tour Operator. On my permanent return to the UK in 2014 I was very fortunate to join the Albatross Travel Group. After a couple of years working with them at their offices in Kent, they offered me the opportunity to work remotely from my homeland in Scotland. Although I grew up in the west of Scotland, I have settled in Perthshire near the famous golf course of Gleneagles. Even though I don’t play golf (irony!) the countryside here is truly beautiful, I am constantly amazed at how lucky I am to spend the next chapter of my life in this environment. Living in Scotland gives me the ability to visit and inspect new opportunities for Albatross as soon as they present themselves, and to connect with the many personalities that ensure the holidays we provide are excellent. It’s very difficult for me to choose a favourite destination as I always obsess over my most recent discovery; my memories of the French Alps with its majestic snow-capped peaks will always be fond, however my heart will always be with the Scottish coasts.

Anneka Board

After studying Tourism Management at University, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the Travel industry. I joined the Albatross family in 2014 and always enjoy broadening my knowledge and getting to know new hotels and destinations in the UK and Europe. I have a passion for travel and am always eager to explore different places. Bruges has to be a favourite for me – just a quick road-trip over the channel to stock up on Belgium chocolate and beer whilst having a wander around the beautiful city.

Jodie Bell

I remember my first holiday abroad, we went to Sorrento and stayed in the Hotel Tramontano for 2 weeks, visiting Pompeii and Capri and eating more pasta than ever. I still have a little ceramic dog, named “Bella” which I had bought from a little market in Sorrento, she sits on my desk in my home office. Since that first holiday, I was always curious about what else was out there!

I always thought I wanted to get into Event Management and took a Travel & Tourism course as it included Event Management, however, I soon realised, actually this travel idea doesn’t seem too bad. I started with Albatross in January 2012 and have had several roles during this time, but it always involved contracting and marketing and I love it! I love working with our suppliers and putting together itineraries, the “why” of travel.

The last 6 years I have been focussing on contracting purely for our Albatross Motoring brands and have had the opportunity to visit incredible places including Russia & Iceland and work to launch our incredible Isle of Man Festival of Motoring. I work remotely in the best part of the UK… Cumbria and contract the mighty Northwest of England & Isle of Man and Scandinavia for The Group, as well as still contracting all product for the Albatross Motoring brands.

My favourite destination will always be Italy, I’m not sure if because it always has a piece of my heart, or the fact is ticks every box: Mountains, Lakes, Cities, Shopping, Fashion, History as well as the best food & wine!

Nadine Dawson

Travel has been my passion since my college days, leading me to pursue a degree in Tourism Management at university. After completing my education, I began my career as a receptionist at a hotel. I cherished the hospitality environment and the valuable experiences it offered. Witnessing the hotel’s expansion from 33 to 150 bedrooms was truly remarkable. Subsequently, I dedicated 9 years as a Product Manager for a cruise agency, overseeing land packages for cruises in South America, Australia, India, and Africa. Transitioning into coaching, I spent over 5 years managing holiday and day trip programs for a coach operator, providing me with invaluable insights into our customers’ needs. Having grown up holidaying in Devon and Cornwall, these destinations hold a special place in my heart, and I now enjoy holidaying there with my own family. Italy is also a beloved destination that I always find myself drawn back to.

CONTRACTING SUPPORT & RESERVATIONS TEAM

Josie Papagno

My biggest passion in life is travelling and I can’t think of anything better to do than discovering new places and meeting new people. I enjoy spending my holidays soaking up the sun but I have also come to realise that we have some amazing hidden gems in the UK. I can highly recommend Portugal, I lived there for 15 years and the people are so lovely, the beaches are incredible and the food is something else! I feel very lucky that I get to work in an industry that I love but also for such an amazing company. Albatross really does go that extra mile every day for their clients and suppliers.

Debbie Maguire

I joined Albatross in 2000 and since then no 2 days have been the same!  I enjoy working with our suppliers many of whom I’ve known since day 1. My favourite destination in the UK is Cornwall – each time I visit I discover new areas and the fish and cream teas are delicious. Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to visit some great European destinations including Norway, Switzerland, Croatia and Slovenia.

Natalie Cockrill

Having only joined in the summer of 2022, I’m still relatively new to the team but loving every second! I absolutely love to travel and explore new places so feel very privileged that I’m able to help others do the same, in whatever capacity I can. Coming from a people-orientated background, one of my favourite parts about working for Albatross is getting to know our suppliers and building a personal relationship with them. Although it’s a tough choice to make, I think Spain has to be a favourite of mine – sun, sea, scenery and of course, the food! I cannot wait to get back out there and explore more of it.

Beth Nock

I studied Travel and Tourism at A-level and since then knew I had a real passion for the Travel Industry. I enjoy the challenges and successes each day brings. I have worked at Albatross since August 2022 and from the day I joined I have not had a day where I don’t learn something new. I enjoy working in a close-knit team who work hard to ensure the best outcome for our clients. My favourite destinations would be Southern France, and the small island of Skiathos in Greece. Although I wouldn’t be complaining as long as it has a beach and is sunny!

Lucy Wassell

After finishing my degree in Tourism Management, I decided to travel across the world and spent nearly 3 months in Australia stopping off in Indonesia on the way back. Alongside my studies I worked in various hotels, one being a month work placement in the beautiful Seville. I have been lucky enough to travel to some lovely places but my one of my favourite European destinations would be Greece or Italy as they are both beautiful places. I can’t wait to explore new destinations and continue to tick off the bucket list. Having started this new role very recently I feel very privileged to be working for such as lovely company like Albatross where I continue to learn something new every day.

Kirsty Johnson

Having worked in the travel industry since the age of 16, this has allowed me to gain such a huge passion towards exploring the world and seeing what hidden gems are out there. I started my travel journey by having an apprenticeship, where I was selling holidays face to face with customers, this helped me look at so many wonderful destinations and made me keen to learn more about the travel world. I joined Albatross in June 2023, and every day brings so much joy and challenges, which I love! I enjoy getting to speak to different suppliers and seeing what each days brings. I can’t decide where my favourite destination would be as I’ve visited so many amazing places, but anywhere that is full of sunshine and has a massive swimming pool will suit me perfectly!

Jeanette Tansley

I have always loved holidays and exploring new places, so it seemed only natural to study Travel and Tourism at college, where I completed an Advanced GNVQ. From there, I worked as a travel agent for around 4 years, before moving on to a well-known villa company, where for years, I worked in the Customer Relations Department, before trying my hand at Operations. Sadly, the Company folded and after nearly 23 years of service, and I found myself looking for employment again. This is where Albatross came in, since I was looking to continue my career in travel, with a local family business – I hit the jackpot and began work in my dual role in January 2024. I think travel and sightseeing enriches the mind and it never ceases to amaze me how people across the World are doing different things as I’m going about my daily life. I’ve had the privilege of some fantastic educations along the way with my favourite’s being Bali and Croatia, and I’ve also travelled a fair bit myself. Scenery is massively important to me – so if there’s a stunning view, I’m sold! My favourite places, are Thailand and Italy, but I’ve many more places on my bucket list to visit.