With the news that helloworld Ltd CEO Elizabeth Gaines is to depart the business, we asked some of the networks agents to share their personal thoughts on the impact Ms Gaines has made.
Ms Gaines was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Helloworld Limited (formerly Jetset Travelworld Group Limited) on 28 March 2014 and has played an integral part in what has been a huge journey of transformation to become helloworld that began back in 2013 under then CEO Rob Gurney.
Prior to that, Ms Gaines had served as Chief Financial Officer of Jetset Travelworld Group Limited and from October 2010, as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Ms Gaines was appointed to the Board on 30 June 2011.
Ms Gaines leadership has delivered success in the form of increased brand awareness for helloworld, the appointment of QBT as the sole provider of travel management services for the whole of Australian Government, the launch of the Apple iTunes highly acclaimed helloworld mobile app and winning AFTA’s Best Travel Agency Group of the year at the NTIA awards last year in July 2014.
Ms Gaines resigned from her role as helloworld Ltd CEO on Friday 19th June.
So what do some of the agents think?
Peter Hosper, Managing Director, The Travel Authority
Peter Hosper (Travel Authority)
“Elizabeth has been a major part of the business for some time and was making a major contribution even prior to becoming CEO. She took over as CEO at a very turbulent and difficult time and had to step up and produce results and she has done a marvelous job of doing exactly that”.
Karsten Horne, Managing Director, Reho Travel
The very colourful Reho Travel Team (Karsten pictured on right)
“Elizabeth has always been very approachable, open to new ideas and has very generously supported my vision for the industry, by encouraging me to spread the word amongst the helloworld community that being good can be good for business.
She has made a huge impact in her role in transforming helloworld in the past 18 months. We have very much enjoyed working with her and she will be very much missed but we wish her all the best”.
Brett Dann, Managing Director, Hunter Travel Group
Brett Dann (hunter Travel) & Aida Hall (Qantas Holidays)
“I’m sure I speak for many in the network when I say that she will be missed but leaves having made a significant contribution to this network which we are truly grateful for. Elizabeth has been a real trailblazer for our industry having been integral in the development, growth & direction of a new brand in travel. She’s established Helloworld as a leader in our industry and she’s led our company with decency, dignity and common sense”.
Donna Meads-Barlow, Managing Director, DB Travel
Donna Meads Barlow (DBT Travel)
“Elizabeth Gaines has been a tremendous leader of the Helloworld transition, she is an inspiration with amazing Vision! She will be missed by many and I wish her all the best in her future endeavours.”
Ms Gaines will work out her six month notice period at helloworld Ltd whilst a replacement is found.
