Board of Directors
Meet our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors consists of seven leaders who have extensive experience of the travel industry and beyond. They meet regularly and are responsible for the governance and strategic direction of our business...
Dame Irene Hays
Owner and Chair
Under Dame Irene’s leadership, Hays Travel has expanded significantly, operating more than 500 retail outlets nationwide and reaching a turnover of £3 billion.
She has been instrumental in driving the company’s success, notably leading the acquisition of Thomas Cook’s retail operations in 2019, saving more than 2,000 jobs.
Dame Irene has been recognised for her dedication to public service and business excellence and has been recognised with several honours.
Jonathon Woodall-Johnston
Chief Operating Officer
After completing training and qualifications in accountancy, Jonathon was mentored and guided by the founder of Hays Travel, John Hays, and promoted through various roles in the company.
Prior to being appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2020, he managed the Finance and Audit teams, before leading the Hays Travel Independence Group and the Commercial Team.
Ken Campling
Group Finance Director
Ken enjoyed a varied career in finance and management roles across the fashion, footwear, health and leisure sectors before joining Hays Travel in June 2021.
He has accumulated valuable experience in mergers and acquisitions at small and medium-sized enterprises and more recently at Sports Direct.com plc and as CFO at the Bannatyne Group.
Ken is involved in developing the Hays Travel Franchise business under the Retail and Explorer home-working options.
Jane Schumm
Retail Director
Jane has dedicated her life to the travel industry, starting at the age of 16.
She began her career at Lunn Poly, where she excelled as a travel consultant and branch manager.
Her leadership skills led her to be promoted to Regional Sales Manager.
Jane then spent eight years in contact centres, focusing on managing staff productivity and driving sales conversions.
In 2005, she joined Hays Travel as Retail General Manager and was promoted to Retail Director five years later.
Non-Executive Directors
Jo Rzymowska MBE
Non-Executive Director
Jo is a celebrated travel expert and leader with a remarkable international career. In 2023 she set up Jovolution Ltd, dedicated to helping businesses and individuals with strategy, expert coaching and mentoring and motivational speaking.
Jo has held high profile roles at the likes of Thomas Cook, Disney Destinations and Celebrity Cruises.
She was named in the 2024 Attitude 101 List of the most influential LGBTQ trailblazers of the moment and in 2025 was awarded an MBE for her outstanding contribution to diversity and inclusion in the travel industry.
Helen Milford
Non-Executive Director
Helen has more than 35 years' experience in the retail industry.
She began her extensive career as a pharmacist after studying and graduating from the University of Sunderland.
She has executive level experience with businesses such as Boots, Asda, Argos and Sainsbury's. She also served as Retail Director of Marks and Spencer.
Helen is a passionate advocate of inclusion and diversity and was the executive sponsor of the gender and equality network at M&S and the co-executive sponsor of the LGBTQ+ network at Sainsbury's.
Our Senior Leadership Team
- Paula Barrett – Head of Retail
- Andy Bell – People Director
- Amy Brooke – Head of Lead Supported PTC
- Ken Campling – Group Finance Director
- Tanya Cooper – Head of PTC
- Steph Cope – Head of Events
- Claire Cranfield – Head of Virtual Contact Centre
- Katie Cummings – Head of Legal
- Claire Gibson – Head of Commercial
- Toni Gibson – Head of Sales Operations and Community Initiatives
- Neil Green – Head of IT
- Dame Irene Hays – Chair
- Nicola Loftus – Head of Forex Operations
- Tracey Luke – Head of VISTA Operations
- Richard Matheson – Financial Controller
- David McNiven – Head of Marketing
- Helen Milford – Non-Executive Director
- Kathleen Molloy – Head of VISTA Sales
- Catriona Parsons – Head of Cruise
- Jane Peverley – Head of Communications
- Karen Pinder – Head of Hays Beds and Transfers
- Sukie Rapal – Head of Digital
- Beccy Rayner – Head of Foreign Exchange Sales
- Steven Reilly – Head of Explorer Franchise
- Cherie Richards – Head of Business Development
- Angela Riseam-Smith – Head of Learning and Development
- Peter Robinson – Head of Property and Facilities
- Jo Rzymowska – Non-Executive Director
- Sophie Sanders – Head of Programmes and Projects
- Jane Schumm – Retail Director
- Mandy Shillito – Managing Director, Miles Morgan Travel
- Harriet Thompson – Head of Independence Group
- Jonathon Woodall-Johnston – Chief Operating Officer
- Nichola Wright – Head of Human Resources