Head Office colleagues join celebrations at annual Summer Garden Party

On Sunday 6 July, 400 Hays Travel colleagues partied together at the 2025 Summer Garden Party, an event that began decades ago at John and Irene’s home and is now a firm favourite for colleagues based in the family firm’s north east HQ.

Dame Irene Hays and Jonathon Woodall-Johnston presented welcome drinks to guests as they arrived at the Fire Station - the popular theatre and bar that is Hays Travel’s head office’s closest neighbour.

Hays Travel’s own events and creative teams worked with the Fire Station staff to transform the venue’s outside space into a festival setting – complete with lawned dance floor to echo the annual Summer Garden Party’s long history.

Jonathon Woodall-Johnston, Chief Operating Officer of Hays Travel, got the party started with an enthusiastic welcome speech before live band Cool as Vegas got everyone kicking off their shoes to start dancing.

Guests tucked into delicious street food including loaded nachos and buttermilk chicken, prepared by the venue’s chefs, while the bar team prepared signature cocktails.

Colleagues from across Hays Travel’s head office teams danced and sang along with local DJ Steve Walton and there were smiles all round as the clouds cleared and sun shone.

Dame Irene Hays said: “Our success is down to the hard work of all our people. Today is a time to celebrate and show our appreciation for the members of our Hays Travel family based at head office who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support colleagues in our branches, and members of our Homeworking and Independence Group divisions.

“Thank you to our Fire Station neighbours for their warm hospitality – it’s important to us to thank and acknowledge our people and maintain much-loved traditions.”