Kirsten Hughes is UK MD and Chief Commercial Officer at Travel Counsellors. From her original role as travel consultant in 1995, within two years Kirsten was promoted to telesales manager and became commercial manager soon after. 2004 saw Kirsten promoted to commercial director, and to the role of UK managing director in 2016. 

Kirsten’s progression through the business and her leadership of the commercial division is well-regarded within the travel industry. During her 27 years at Travel Counsellors Kirsten has been instrumental in growing the company from a UK-focused travel agency with three employees, to an international network of 2,000 expert travel professionals. Her role in delivering the commercial strategy, and now leading the UK business, has seen Travel Counsellors double in size since 2005, and become a global leader in travel. 

Kirsten has built an outstanding commercial portfolio, enabling the company’s agents to have access to the most beneficial supplier relationships in the industry. Due to her long legacy and experience within the company, Kirsten has nurtured a personal relationship with the vast majority of Travel Counsellor business owners, and her hands-on approach ensures the company achieves its mission to create inspiring journeys for people – its customers, business owners, support teams and commercial partners.  

With 30 years in travel, Kirsten has seen the company grow from strength to strength, and her own personal and professional growth trajectory during this time is proof that with hard work, determination and absolute passion, you can achieve your career goals and aspirations, both for yourself and for your family.Kirsten has three daughters, two of whom have so far followed her footsteps into the travel industry.