In 1980, with no industry experience and only a desk at the back of my mum's children's wear shop in Seaham, County Durham, I started to get my travel business off the ground. Today I am proud to head up Hays Travel - ABTA's largest independently owned travel agency recognised as a Sunday Times' 100 Best Companies to Work For in the UK.

I strongly believe that from equally humble beginnings many other successful businesses can be built. With this in mind the Independence Group was formed in 1995. It is designed to help independent agents like you get the best of both worlds - the support of a large travel industry organisation without compromising your independent status and identity. Whether you're a new or existing retail agency, telesales operation, online retailer or homeworker, the Independence Group has a solution for you. We recognise that each partnership is unique and so requires a tailored package to suit the nature of your business.

A key ingredient to the Independence Group's success is our passion for travel and people; as an independent travel agent with over 27 years of experience we have real insight into the business. With a dedicated support team we offer a personal service, helping you reach your goal to run a profitable agency. Alongside this support, we also allow you the space to concentrate on the running of your own business, allowing a truly independent status and identity. This means you decide your own marketing, discounting and racking policies whilst getting top tour operator and supplier commissions and overrides. As an independent agent you can really concentrate on maximising sales and profits with reduced operational costs.

So it really is all about Partnership, Profit and People!