About Audley Travel

Audley's history started in 1991 when their founder and director Craig Burkinshaw started escorting small group tours around Vietnam. In 1996, Craig joined forces with John Brewer and together they created ‘Asian Journeys'. In 2001, following the launch of the company's South America programme, they became ‘Audley Travel'.

As much as the business has grown and diversified over the years, there are a few things that remain consistent. One of these is their great culture and the fact it is a brilliant place to work. Audley offers an incredible benefits package and an on-going career development plan. Audley invests heavily in its people and is dedicated to providing the training and development everyone needs to be successful in their roles.

All their staff are passionate about travel and everyone gets the chance to go on a familiarisation trip overseas to experience the Audley product first hand. Additionally, they offer discounted staff travel and even have a dedicated staff travel executive. Their job is to advise employees where the best deals are, in order to make the most of the enhanced annual leave benefits. They are really proud to have received a number of awards and accolades over the years, recognising their commitment to providing the best possible experiences and service to their clients and provide a fantastic working environment for their people.

What is it like to work for Audley Travel

My Manager

85% of staff agreed:

I feel that my manager talks openly and honestly with me

Audley has invested heavily in management development and launched a global programme for all managers called ‘Navigators’. The programme lasts for 12 months and will operate over the next few years. Two external suppliers are co-facilitating the programme with the People Development team at Audley. Costing c£4k pp, the programme is very comprehensive and consists of a welcome webinar, 4 x 2 day facilitator led sessions and a half day close event.

The structure of the programme is based on ‘Managing myself; Managing my team; Managing Audley’. At the start of the programme all managers complete a 360 degree survey so they receive feedback at the start of the programme knowing the areas they wish to develop. The feedback has been extremely positive and people like how the programme has been tailored to Audley focusing on practicality.

Audley has a mentoring programme, where all successors and top talent receive mentoring. They have also focused on matching managers/leaders with projects that are happening outside of their immediate areas, thus developing their knowledge and skills giving them a broader outlook and understanding of the business.

85% of staff agreed:

I feel that my manager talks openly and honestly with me

My Team

90% of staff agreed:

My team is fun to work with

Their reward and recognition platform, The Globe allows employees to celebrate and share in each other's successes. Through The Globe their people can send e-cards to one another within and across offices. The Globe also tracks employees birthdays and displays company-wide events.

They have also introduced award vouchers through The Globe. At their monthly Company Meetings/Town Halls they have "Angel" award winners for upholding their Audley values. These Angel awards can be redeemed in The Globe for use at various hotels, shopping websites, etc.

Globally and locally, many teams use chat platforms to stay in touch and connected. They have a strong company presence through Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn and encourage all employees to share their travels and stories about life at Audley socially.

90% of staff agreed:

My team is fun to work with

My Company

92% of staff agreed:

My work is an important part of my life

At their recent AGM they launched 'The Big Picture' a visual representation that illustrates Audley's vision and plans for the future, with particular focus on how all Audley employees can play their part in helping the company to develop and grow. It has their Primary Purpose, their USP and their values at its heart.

The launch at the AGM focused on bringing 'The Big Picture' to life with the CEO Nick Longman and his leadership team delivering an engaging presentation about Audley's achievements so far, what the focus will be over the coming months and years and how they plan to action these plans. Throughout the session they held group conversations that encouraged staff to discuss topics such as; why they chose to join Audley, how they saw the market changing over the coming years, what they felt their biggest growth opportunity was and how they felt their work affected their Big Picture success.

92% of staff agreed:

My work is an important part of my life

Learn more about the 8 factors of workplace engagement here

Benefits:

Women

At least 40% of senior managers are women
Gym

Companies offering either free gym/ sports facilities or subsidised gym membership for all employees
Pensions

Companies offering a final salary scheme to all employees, or one in which the employer's contribution is at least 5%
Maternity

At least 10 weeks’ full pay or generous alternative