Our Team
Company Divisions
Directors |
ACFEA Legato |
Travel for the Arts |
Groups, Events & Meetings |
Business & Leisure Travel |
Administration & Marketing |
Finance |
Directors
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Richard Savage worked as a courier for Specialised Travel whilst a student at Oxford University where he was a Natural Science exhibitioner, taking an MA in Metallurgy as well as singing as a Lay Clerk in Christ Church Cathedral. He became Managing Director of STL (ACFEA Europe’s parent company) in 1983 and has combined his travel career with being a professional singer, having over 150 CD recordings to his credit, and appearing regularly with the Gabrieli and King’s Consorts, Polyphony, Tenebrae and the Concert d'Astree amongst others.
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Kristina has worked with Specialised Travel since 1985, during which time she has concentrated on our orchestral touring markets as well as overseeing general travel operations for the whole company. A French-Croatian, Kristina is fluent in French, Croatian and Italian. Kristina travels regularly all over the world, particularly in Asia, and has visited Japan 46+ times. During these numerous trips, she has been developing our international orchestral touring.
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John has worked in the travel industry for over 30 years, gaining unparalleled experience in all aspects of the business. He looks after many of STL’s high profile and discerning clients. He has travelled extensively all over the world, having lived in the Far East and studied in Rome. A keen amateur pianist, John is passionate about music.
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Nick has 10 years experience of the travel sector, having held a variety of difference finance roles within both tour operating and travel agency businesses. A qualified chartered accountant, he trained with PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Cambridge, before pursuing a finance career in travel. He has travelled extensively in North America, Australia and New Zealand, and is passionate about cricket. He joined Specialised Travel in 2005 as Finance Director.
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David Beaumont
Operations Director
David is currently on sabbatical, expected to return 2010.
David joined Specialised Travel in 1995, during which time he has enjoyed projects as diverse as Concerts from Scratch tours and world-wide travel with the England Rugby Team which culminated with the 2003 World Cup triumph in Sydney. David is a passionate traveller, and has been in the Guinness Book of World Records for travel. He says he has yet to visit the Ethiopian Highlands, and would like to add this to his 118 countries already visited.
ACFEA Legato
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Based in our Bath ACFEA office, Nick received his degree in Music at the University of Cambridge and was organ scholar of Girton College. Prior to joining Specialised Travel, he combined post-graduate studies in Musicology at the University of Bristol with work as a conductor, organist, accompanist and baritone. He has toured throughout much of Europe, North America and Asia.
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Following her degree in Music, Becky trained in arts administration at the London Sinfonietta before spending five years organizing concerts and education projects for the London Symphony Orchestra. In her role as LSO Tours Manager she travelled widely across Europe and the USA. Becky plays the oboe and, prior to joining Specialised Travel, taught English in Spain.
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Eleanor attended the University of York, where she studied Music to MA level, specialising in vocal studies and community music. After leaving university, Eleanor travelled extensively in Europe, living and working in Germany and the Netherlands. She enjoys singing in choirs and is currently a member of the Scandinavian a capella choir, Enkelit, which is based in the north of England.
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Helen is an Operations Manager in London. Following a degree in Music from Sussex University, Helen worked for the Philharmonia Orchestra as Tours Manager for 15 years. In this role she travelled widely across Europe, the USA and the Far East. Helen studied the violin at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has sung with the BBC Symphony Chorus on various occasions.
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After graduating from the University of Leeds with a BA in Arts Management, Anna initially decided to embark on a career in marketing until she wanted to combine her keen interest in music she has had since taking up the violin at a young age, with the travelling she experienced during her gap year. Anna is now enjoying assisting UK music groups fulfill their tours across Europe, and hopefully further afield!
Travel for the Arts
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Pablo has been working with specialist tours since 1998, originally in his native Argentina. He enjoys opera and classical music with favourite composers being Verdi and Beethoven. He is hoping to take Travel for the Arts’ next tour to the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires and the Teatro Amazonas in Manaus.
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Mark has been working with Travel for the Arts since 2001, and previously worked with other specialist tour operators, including pilgrimage tours to the Oberammergau Passion Plays. His favourite tours include the Scandinavian trio “Northern Lights” to the festivals at Savonlinna, Drottningholm and Dalhalla.
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Abid has devoted his working life to travel and tour operating. Originally from Iran, he arranged travel for the Royals and dignitaries of the country. In the UK, Abid has worked in travel for over 25 years, and has been arranging tours at Specialised Travel since 1996.
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Poppy works both on Travel for the Arts and Concerts from Scratch. She has travelled extensively, and has lead musical tours to much of the Spanish speaking world. Before joining the company she was working in artist and travel management. Her musical background includes singing and playing the cello.
Groups, Events and Meetings
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One of the company’s longest serving employees, Ghita joined Specialised Travel in 1988, originally as a trainee in the business travel department. She is now the Manager for the Groups department, looking after the touring arrangements for professional musicians, orchestras, choirs and theatre companies.
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Originally from Afghanistan, Zohra has worked in the travel industry for 21 years. She joined the Business Travel department at Specialised Travel in 2001 and has worked with our groups department for the past 4 years. As well as organising orchestral tours, Zohra has looked after the England Rugby and VETTS Table Tennis Championship tours.
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After living for 16 years in the USA, including Tampa, New York and Seattle, Sunita returned to the UK and joined Specialised Travel in 2002. She has worked for over 16 years in business and groups travel and her travel experiences include USA, Caribbean, Mexico and Asia. Sunita is fluent is Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi.
Business & Leisure Travel
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Maria has worked in travel since 1980, covering tour operations, ABTA holidays, film crew transportation and individuals from both the opera and classical music worlds. She joined the Business Travel department at Specialised Travel in April 2001.
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Steve has been working in travel since 1975 and with Specialised Travel since 1989. As well as his business travel clients, he also looks after the travel-specific I.T. systems. He has travelled extensively with a particular interest in South Africa. His interests include a lifelong devotion to Portsmouth Football Club and a broad spectrum of music from classical to rock.
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Joining Specialised Travel in 1997, Josh is an invaluable part of the service we offer to our clients. He personally delivers tickets, visas and travel documents to clients’ homes and offices all over London and is also responsible for arranging group and individual visas with the various London-based embassies.
Administration & Marketing
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Natasha joined Specialised Travel in 2000 after 14 years in the hotel and banqueting industry. After years of organising events for clients, she now has the task of organising the office here at Specialised Travel. When describing what her job entails, the easiest response is "everything that is not travel or finance!"
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Juliet joined Specialised Travel in June 2007, from the Royal Opera House where she worked in both the Marketing and Press departments. Prior to this, Juliet toured extensively as a staff member with the European Union Youth Orchestra, meeting many eminent musicians - and future stars - along the way. A former choral singer whilst at school, Juliet was trained in ballet for 15 years, and now enjoys all forms of dance and theatre.
Finance
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An Economics graduate from Bristol, Martin joined Specialised Travel in 2002. He is responsible for the company’s credit control function and is studying for a CIMA qualification. Martin is a keen sportsman, and is known to his cricketing pals as the "Polish Destroyer" for his devastating military medium bowling.
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Sri Lankan born, Andy came to the UK in 1984 to complete his education. Since then he has worked in a number of finance departments, before joining Specialised Travel in 2001. He is primarily responsible for its treasury function. He enjoys sports and spends a lot of his spare time helping to raise money for charitable causes.
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Maria has worked for Specialised Travel for 14 years. Originally from Goa, where she worked as a teacher, Maria came to the UK in 1978. She has had a variety of secretarial and accounting roles before joining the company, where she is responsible for the airline payables. She enjoys nature and entertaining people.
