We say: Sue has over 25 years’ international travel industry experience in both the public and private sectors and is a Fellow of the Institute of Travel & Tourism. Before co-founding Hume Whitehead, Sue was Regional Director Europe, Middle East & Africa for the Hong Kong Tourism Board, achieving a record-breaking 2 million arrivals over a 12 month period.

As Marketing Director of two of the UK’s largest hotel groups, she ran award-winning communications campaigns and developed major new brands. Whilst with the world-renowned Orient Express organisation, Sue directed the global launch of the Eastern & Oriental Express service in Singapore.

Sue says: I love the challenge of finding just the right solution for clients with very different business objectives.

We say: Richard’s travel industry career began in tour operating, including five years with TUI UK where he achieved record results for the award-winning Magic of Italy programme and successfully launched the Magic Collection.

Richard then moved to Tourism Authority of Thailand as UK Director of Marketing and PR, delivering record visitors and receiving several industry awards. Following the tsunami in 2004 he became a regular industry and media spokesperson on crisis management issues.

In 2006 Richard joined the Hong Kong Tourism Board as Director, Northern Europe & Middle East, delivering over 600,000 UK visitors to Hong Kong for the first time ever. HKTB was voted Best Asia Pacific Tourist Board in the 2007 British Travel Awards under Richard’s stewardship. He co-founded Hume Whitehead with Sue Whitehead in 2007 and is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel & Tourism

Richard says: I love the variety of my work. I get a real buzz from winning new clients, but I am most proud of the relationship we have with all our clients – and the results we achieve together.

We say: Claire’s career in PR and marketing spans almost ten years, during which time she has built an in-depth knowledge of consumer, travel trade and MICE communications as well as excellent media contacts in all sectors. Claire also has a great knowledge of crisis management, having dealt with situations as diverse as Chikungunya Fever, Norovirus and identity fraud. She is known in the office for her motherly advice – and her penchant for shopping trolleys!

Prior to joining Hume Whitehead, Claire gained extensive experience in various travel specialist PR agencies where her clients included a wide selection of properties, tour operators and destinations, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts (Europe); The Savoy, London; Club Med; Sunsail Clubs; Hôtel de Crillon and Le Murano Resort; plus luxury tour operators Elegant Resorts and Carrier.

Claire says: I love the variety of working at Hume Whitehead. No two days are the same and, with a vibrant mix of clients in both PR and Marketing disciplines, I get to exercise both sides of my personality – creative and studious.

Sarah was one of only three people in her year to graduate with First Class Honours in English Literature from Northumbria University.

Her travel career began when she helped manage a hotel in Perth, Australia, During that time she travelled extensively throughout the state and developed an in-depth knowledge and passion for the destination. In September 2007, Sarah joined a London-based travel representation agency and played a pivotal role in the company’s public relations activity, proactively generating trade and consumer editorial coverage for high profile clients, including TaiwanTourism Bureau, Tourism South East, Sanctuary Retreats and WORLDHOTELS.

Sarah joined Hume Whitehead in June 2010. Her strengths lie in her superb media relationships and creative pitching. She’s known in the office for her great laugh – and her love of cheese and onion pasties.

Sarah says: I love travel, travel, travel! Over the years, I’ve come to realise that the only cure for a fully-fledged travel bug is to work in the industry. Spending my days reading, writing and talking about travel prevents me from continually reaching for my passport and, in turn, keeps my bank manager happy.

Shortly after finishing a degree in Travel & Tourism, Raquel joined the Spanish Tourist Office in March 2007 as part of an internship for the promotion of the Galicia Tourist Board in the UK. Having worked on all aspects of destination promotion and management, Raquel spent a year and a half in the PR & Press Office, where she supervised the production of supplements, handled media enquiries, arranged press trips and took part in the organisation of large-scale events.

Completely fluent in both Spanish and English, Raquel’s experience includes the repositioning of traditional destinations as well as raising awareness of lesser known areas.

At Hume Whitehead, Raquel works on the Tenerife Tourism Corporation and Macau Government Tourist Office accounts, as well providing support for other clients. She’s known in the office for her calm nature and her passion for fashion.

Raquel says: What I most enjoy about my job is conversing with journalists, working on such a diverse range of tasks and not knowing what might happen next – and I feel privileged to be involved in the travel industry, which I love.

Becky started her career at Carlson Wagonlit Travel before she joined the Travel Industry Association of America, organising pan-European events and working closely with all sectors of the leisure and MICE market. Becky then joined Qatar Airways working throughout the marketing spectrum and was tasked with setting up the corporate and MICE department. Prior to joining Hume Whitehead, she led the UK MICE and sales activities for a variety of destination and private sector clients including NYC & Company and Reval Hotels in the UK.

Becky is an active member of the UK MPI chapter and joined Hume Whitehead in September 2009, leading sales activities for Hume Whitehead’s clients.