20 Oct 2005

New director at Skills Holidays

Roy Finch has joined the headquarters team at Skills Holidays in the newly created post of director of product. In his new role, he will be responsible for the complete range of holidays, short breaks and trips arranged by the Nottingham based operator. In the last 12 months, Skills has taken over 40,000 holidaymakers to over 150 different destinations in Europe and the UK

Most recently with Crusader Holidays as contracts director, Roy has spent 36 years in the bus and coach industry. Starting as a conductor with Eastern National in 1969, he entered the holiday industry in 1986 in Harwich, before joining Crusader Holidays in 1993 as British product manager.

“My aims are to keep Skills at the forefront of the East Midlands and South Yorkshire holiday business and to help add a fresh dimension to the list of established tours,” he says. “The industry is well established in this area, with some able operators. It’s my job to maximise Skills’ share of the market through an understanding of the unique preferences of local people and through maximising the enjoyment they get from travel.”

Roy joins Simon Skill, director of finance, and Nigel Skill, managing director, on the board of the eighty six year old company. Nigel welcomed Roy to the firm saying, “This is an excellent appointment as we approach the 2006 season. There is high competition in our industry. And with his addition to our team, we not only have someone who is well respected in the industry but who knows holiday travel inside out. He has the drive and enthusiasm to oversee our steady growth in line with our company philosophy.”

Roy, who lives in Hucknall, is married to Denise, who has joined Skills as a sales consultant. He includes bridge, travel, and watching sport among his pastimes.