We consider our people to be our most important asset

Our company values underpin our working philosophy and guide our behaviours. We strive to ensure a fun and friendly working environment where our teams can flourish and prosper.

We recognise and support our employees with a number of ongoing initiatives including:

Rewarding dedication with celebration of work anniversaries
Recognising the exceptional actions of team members via “Wows” and DELIGHT Rewards for Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year, as well as Incentives and Spot Rewards
Perks and Quirks offering a range of benefits
Company wide bonus scheme
Running events across the year – both large (like a Christmas Silent disco) and small like a Friday brain teaser quiz
Ensuring all employees are kept up to date with business developments via a weekly update and regular informal feedback sessions with the Group Managing Director
Personalised training and development plans following annual appraisals to understand what each employee wants and needs.

We have an on-going commitment to improving working and ethical standards in partnership with our teams. We provide regular opportunities for them to voice opinions on conditions in the workplace.

We conduct our business in accordance with the policies and procedures of our parent hotelshopuk which are detailed in our Group Employee Handbook and in ISO 9001:2015 documentation.

Our policies re-inforce and reflect the way our company operates. We look after employee wellbeing with a wealth of free medical services from health to dental from opticians to chiropractors. We also provide employees with flexible working arrangements (both in time and location) and provide additional arrangements for carers, adoption, TA training and similar activities.

Meet Us

We’re a family.

We build strong relationships, enjoy camaraderie, are honest and practice gratitude.

Our Owners and Leadership Team:

Diana Evans Group Managing Director

Diana joined Hotelshop UK as a customer services agent whilst studying for a Business Management degree in June of 2000 when the company was only 6 months old. After graduating from University she became Hotelshop UKs first Marketing Manager. Over the years Diana has worked in pretty much all departments and business units – rising through the managerial levels over the years. In 2017 she completed her level 7 PG dip in Strategic Marketing Management through distance learning and in 2018 she took over as Managing Director when Viv, the original founder decided to take a step back from the day to day running off the company. Diana now oversees HotelshopUK as Group Managing Director and co-owns the business alongside her fellow Directors Rob and Craig. Diana has lived in Droitwich since a child and now resides locally with her two young daughters.

Rob Veale Group Operations Director

Rob began his time in the company on the contact centre floor, in 2008, and has risen up through the ranks to the present day where he is our Group Operations Director and Co-Owner. He managed a team to implement our Quality Management system and maintain our ISO 9001:2015 accreditation and also heads up our internal CARE Team which focuses on Staff Well-being and Mental Health in the workplace. Rob is also a recognised Travel figure having been elected in 2013 as one of the TTG under 30 travel leaders and also a Young Travel Manager of the Year Finalist in 2015. Having two young daughters his hands are quite full outside of work but he tries to fit in the odd game of Tennis where possible.

Craig Newcombe Group Finance Director

Craig joined Hotelshop UK in October 2016 as Finance Director and is a Chartered and Certified Accountant, having qualified in 2007, more recently as the company has grown Craig has undertaken the role of Group Finance Director and oversees the Finance, HR and IT functions of Hotelshop. Previously Craig worked for a support services company, predominantly in the leisure industry in a variety of roles, more latterly as Finance Director of a Golf Management Company and also as Finance Director of a Horticultural Company, he has also undertaken project management roles for various system installations. Craig Resides in Worcestershire with his wife and three young children and lists his interests as football and Star Wars!

Rhian Garbett-Edwards Non-Executive Director

Having identified a gap in the alternative accommodation marketplace, Rhian launched Rapid Relocate in 2014. Her passion is for building long-lasting relationships based on openness and honesty. Since our sale to hotelshopUK in November 2019, Rhian remained involved as Managing Director until she retired at the end of 2022. Today, she supports the business strategically as a Board member. Rhian lives in rural Herefordshire with her partner, working cocker spaniels, cat, chickens and rare breed sheep!

Caroline Findlay Managing Director

Caroline joined in April 2022, and brings a breadth of experience in sales, marketing, account management, quality and operational roles in the pharmaceutical industry. Her last position leading Customer Experience strategy and implementation bought her focus to the common denominator between all industry sectors – customers’ wants and needs!

Caroline grew up in Worcester living alongside the River Severn and remembers the excitement of missing school when flood waters were in the house. More recently having had two occasions of water escape in her own home, she empathises with our customers. By standing in our customers’ shoes she is passionate to create a seamless and low effort customer journey. Another animal lover, Caroline and her daughter have two dogs, two cats, an old horse!

Our Management Team:

Nadia Farrah-John Account Director

With Over 26 years’ experience in the hotel & travel industry, Nadia has been with hotelshop UK since 2013. As an expert in Relationship Management we’re using her skills to ensure our client relationships are managed with a strategic focus linked to the clients’ SLAs. Nadia’s family are her number 1 priority, followed closely by Lola her staffy dog. Nadia enjoys gardening and beach walks nearby to her home in Cardiff with her family and Lola.

Claire Elnor Group HR and Quality Manager

Claire has been with the company since 2013, although had worked for HotelshopUK a couple of years previously, leaving to have children. She returned as Customer Service Manager and was part of the Quality Management implementation team, resulting in her appointment as Quality Manager. In 2017 an opportunity arose within the HR department, and with the company’s support she took on the role whilst studying for her CIPD Level Three and subsequently Level Five. She now oversees the HR responsibilities for the whole company. Her family has been by completed by the addition of two black Labradors meaning she likes to get out and about on long country walks.

Matt Jancey Group Systems and Security Manager

Matt started with hotelshopuk in 2008, first working in Customer Services before developing his skills and expertise in IT. Matt’s role oversees the day-to-day management of our business systems, client reporting and data security, whilst also leading our business continuity function. Matt enjoys photography, researching family history and exploring the great outdoors!

Dan Styles Operations Manager

Dan joined hotelshopuk in November 2016 in a temporary capacity while he looked for his next position in hotel management. However, won over by the culture, growth and opportunities Dan decided to stay!
Initially on the Customer Service team he was promoted to Supervisor before moving over to Rapid Relocate to cover Paige’s maternity leave. He’s since progressed to Team Manager and most recently Operations Manager. Dan praises the support and training he’s received throughout his time with the business, especially during the pandemic.
Dan’s a coffee lover and is a frequent Starbucks visitor!

Paige Daniels Quality and Compliance Manager

Paige started as Claims Handler in 2016 and progressed to Supervisor within 3 years. Following maternity leave we were able to accommodate Paige’s request for part time hours in a senior admin role. Once again Paige progressed, increasing her hours as feasible, to her current role as Quality and Training Manager. Paige commends the support and training she’s had contributing to her personal development. She also enjoys the social aspects too, having enjoyed a number of company parties!
In her spare time she enjoys live rock music, crime documentaries and days out with her son.

“At Rapid Relocate, you don’t only feel a valued employee, but you also feel like you belong to a great family!”

“Pre and post pandemic there have been a number of fun staff parties, BBQ’s and sports days. Fam (familiarisation) Trips have been great for getting the teams together to experience the hotels that our customers stay in and build relationships with our suppliers”

Sonia Windsor Accounts Receivable Manager

Sonia joined us after moving back to the UK from Canada in 2017. She’s been delighted to grow with the company as part of the finance team. Sonia loves building relationships with clients to support and provide accurate financial information.

Outside work, Sonia loves walking her two dogs and spending time with her family. With four children, she spends much time on the side of a football/rugby or cricket pitch!

Samantha Bennett Business Manager

Sam joined in September 2023, bringing an abundance of operational and client-facing experience from the financial services sector, where she spent most of her career offshore in Jersey in the Channel Islands. Since returning to the UK in 2017, Sam has gained experience within the insolvency industry, providing risk management solutions both as an agent and within the insurance industry, providing bespoke insurance solutions. Sam is passionate about people and continuous improvement.

Sam grew up in Worcestershire and has returned home after working away in Jersey for almost 25 years. Another animal lover, Sam, lives in the countryside with her fiancé, two rescue cats and five chickens. She loves gym sessions, visiting new places and socialising with friends and family.

Our team is expanding to satisfy the increasing number of claim instructions and bookings we manage.

Here’s a sample of our fantastic team:

Dale Hipkins Team Manager

Dale joined hotelshopuk in February 2017. An early interest and curiosity to get involved with Rapid Relocate was satisfied by an opportunity to help out on Rental property searches, which led on to his successful application to be a Claim Handler in August 2018. Dale brings a winning combination – a calm manner and desire to be challenged. His expertise has been recognised by promotion to Senior Claims Handler and Supervisor as the team grew. Dale enjoys the fast pace of new instructions particularly on the Commercial side. His desire for challenge exists out of work too; Dale is proud to have completed a tandem Skydive in Wales. Bungee jump next?

Emma Holmes Complex Claims Handler

Emma joined in September 2015 as a Claims Handler. Since then, she has seen the company grow and has been there to support customers with their alternative accommodation journeys.

She has developed and grown with the company and is now a Complex Claims Handler where she is responsible for being the first point of contact when a complaint arises. Emma enjoys resolving issues and finding the best solution for all.

Away from work, Emma spends her time with her 2 young daughters and partner having family fun and days out.

Tyler Nash Team Lead

Tyler joined us in the summer of 2021. Tyler particularly enjoys the team spirit and cohesion with his colleagues. He loves the challenge of balancing the daily departures and arrivals to make sure all our customers have emergency and alternative accommodation set up and confirmed. Tyler exudes compassion and empathy and is sympathetic of customers’ situations and stresses. Outside of work Tyler enjoys spending time with his two young children, and woodworking.