Homeworking group Azure Indies has made its first senior team appointments to support its 21 consultants.
Donna Smethurst (pictured left), who was previously Academy Business Development Manager at Not Just Travel, and Vicki Pichart (right), who was Agent Support Manager at Midcounties Co-op, have joined as Partner Engagement Executives.
Azure Indies, which launched last year, was previously known as Independents Powered by Azure.
Currently, it has 21 homeworkers, with more expected to join within the next few weeks, said founder Edward Leigh, Chairman of luxury operator Azure.
He said Donna and Vicki will ‘form the cornerstone of a partner engagement function, designed not just to support travel business owners, but to actively drive their performance, profitability and long-term sustainability’.
More senior appointments are imminent, he said. “Azure Indies will shortly be announcing a series of board-level and strategic roles that will further strengthen its leadership capability as the platform scales.
“These announcements will reflect the seriousness with which Azure Indies is approaching its next phase and the calibre of individuals choosing to be part of it.”
Azure Indies is also investing in new technology, which, among other functions, will enable homeworkers to book dynamic packages under Azure’s ATOL.
