Travel Counsellors’ first ‘Hall of Fame’ cohort shares lessons for future generations

On 25 June, we brought together the inaugural members of our Hall of Fame at our headquarters in Manchester, creating an opportunity to capture the stories and experiences that have helped shape the business over the last three decades and inspire future generations of Travel Counsellors.

The dedicated Hall of Fame event welcomed the seven individuals inducted during our annual conference in Liverpool in November 2025. Recognised for their lasting contribution to Travel Counsellors, the group represents a diverse range of achievements spanning business growth, customer care, community building, recruitment and technology innovation.

Capturing a lasting legacy

Throughout the day, inductees took part in individual interviews and a recorded roundtable discussion, reflecting on the evolution of Travel Counsellors, the milestones that have defined their careers, and the lessons they hope to pass on to future generations.

Our Hall of Fame was established to recognise individuals whose vision, values, and achievements have left a lasting impact on our organisation and our global community of business owners and support colleagues.

Karen Morris, Director of TC Engagement at Travel Counsellors, said: "The Hall of Fame was created to recognise the individuals whose contributions have helped shape Travel Counsellors into the business it is today. Bringing our inaugural inductees together again has given us a wonderful opportunity not only to celebrate their achievements, but also to capture the stories, lessons, and values behind them.

"Every Hall of Fame inductee represents a different chapter of our journey, and collectively they embody the spirit, innovation, and care that have defined Travel Counsellors for more than three decades. By preserving those stories, we're creating something that future generations of Travel Counsellors can learn from and be inspired by.

"The Hall of Fame is about honouring and creating a legacy, but it's also about helping to shape the future."

Inspiring the next generation

Reflecting on her own journey, Hall of Fame inductee Lisa Hillyard said: “Travel Counsellors has been such a big part of my life for more than 25 years, and it means the world to see my daughter Amy now following in my footsteps and forging her own path here as a business owner.

“That’s what this business is all about – creating something lasting, not just in terms of success, but through the people and values we pass on. Being part of the Hall of Fame is an honour, but the real legacy is seeing the next generation take it forward.”

The inaugural Hall of Fame cohort includes Travel Counsellors Simon Cooper, Lisa Hillyard, Drew Palmer, Ed Pearson, and Brian Telfer, alongside Franchise Sales Consultant Cathy Oldfield and Head of Software Engineering Jason Boyd.

Collectively, the group has played a significant role in shaping Travel Counsellors' growth and success, from pioneering new ways of working and mentoring fellow business owners to driving innovation and supporting the development of the company's technology platform.

The Hall of Fame will remain an annual celebration of those whose contributions have helped define the company's culture, values, and community, while inspiring those who will help write its next chapter.

Want to be part of our story?

If you're inspired by the stories of our Hall of Fame inductees and want to learn more about building your own successful travel business, join one of our upcoming Discovery events. You'll hear from our team and existing Travel Counsellors, discover how our business model works, and find out what makes our community so unique.