UK and Ireland specialist operator McKinlay Kidd has become an employee-owned business as the founders take a step back.
The 25 members of staff will own the tour operator, which is expected to turn over £8 million this year, via the McKinlay Kidd Employee Ownership Trust.
Zoe Davidson will continue as Managing Director, while co-founder Heather McKinlay will remain on the board, alongside newly-appointed non-executive director Richard Carrick, who has held several senior roles in the travel industry.
The boad will continue to oversee day-to-day operations, under control of the McKinlay Kidd Employee Ownership Trust as 100% shareholder.
Co-founder Robert Kidd becomes a trustee alongside employee trustee, Groups Travel Executive Roisin Kelly, and independent trustee Innes Chalmers of Covenant Financial.
“After 21 years as a trail blazing tour operator, we are thrilled that McKinlay Kidd can continue to grow and flourish into the future as an employee-owned business,” said Zoe.
“We considered different options for the ownership transition and it soon became clear that employee ownership is the right succession planning model for McKinlay Kidd.
“It will help us ensure long term business success in a way that builds on our values of putting people – customers, communities, partners and staff – first. It will allow us to keep delivering the world-class service that our customers are used to and support sustainable development in the communities we live in, work in and love.”
Transferring ownership, Heather, who was awarded the AITO Chairman’s Award in 2023 for her ‘exceptional contribution’ to the industry, said: “We are confident that under the new employee ownership model and Zoe’s leadership, McKinlay Kidd will continue to flourish – providing exemplar customer service, supporting the communities in which it operates and delivering fantastic tailormade holidays now and in the future. “
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The 25 members of staff will own the tour operator, which is expected to turn over £8 million this year, via the McKinlay Kidd Employee Ownership Trust.
Zoe Davidson will continue as Managing Director, while co-founder Heather McKinlay will remain on the board, alongside newly-appointed non-executive director Richard Carrick, who has held several senior roles in the travel industry.
The boad will continue to oversee day-to-day operations, under control of the McKinlay Kidd Employee Ownership Trust as 100% shareholder.
Co-founder Robert Kidd becomes a trustee alongside employee trustee, Groups Travel Executive Roisin Kelly, and independent trustee Innes Chalmers of Covenant Financial.
“After 21 years as a trail blazing tour operator, we are thrilled that McKinlay Kidd can continue to grow and flourish into the future as an employee-owned business,” said Zoe.
“We considered different options for the ownership transition and it soon became clear that employee ownership is the right succession planning model for McKinlay Kidd.
“It will help us ensure long term business success in a way that builds on our values of putting people – customers, communities, partners and staff – first. It will allow us to keep delivering the world-class service that our customers are used to and support sustainable development in the communities we live in, work in and love.”
Transferring ownership, Heather, who was awarded the AITO Chairman’s Award in 2023 for her ‘exceptional contribution’ to the industry, said: “We are confident that under the new employee ownership model and Zoe’s leadership, McKinlay Kidd will continue to flourish – providing exemplar customer service, supporting the communities in which it operates and delivering fantastic tailormade holidays now and in the future. “
The post Founders of specialist tour operator hand over business to their staff appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
