Julia Kemp assumes leadership of 101 Holidays as Catherine Leech steps back.
- Catherine Leech co-founded 101 Holidays and will shift to a non-executive role.
- Leech’s tenure included overcoming significant industry shifts and notably shaping the company.
- Julia Kemp brings extensive experience from roles in executive leadership and marketing.
- The transition signifies a new chapter for 101 Holidays with Kemp’s forward-thinking approach.
Julia Kemp, a significant figure in the travel industry, takes the helm of 101 Holidays as Catherine Leech, co-founder, steps back from day-to-day operations. Leech, after 16 years of dedication, will transition to a non-executive role at the end of March. She established the company in 2008 with Mark Hodson and David Wickers, both former Sunday Times travel journalists.
Catherine Leech’s career is marked by substantial contributions to the travel sector, including her early work in PR and leadership roles with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and Caribtours. Her efforts have greatly influenced the growth of 101 Holidays, which now collaborates with 130 travel brands and draws four million unique visitors annually.
Mark Hodson, the editor of 101 Holidays, expressed enthusiasm for Kemp’s appointment, emphasizing her expertise in business development and customer engagement. “We are very excited to have Julia on board,” he stated. Kemp’s background includes a noteworthy nine-year tenure on the international executive leadership board at Avis Budget Zipcar, as well as roles across sales, partnerships, marketing, and PR.
Leech reflects on her journey with the company, noting the ‘seismic changes and challenges’ experienced over her tenure. She regards her time at the forefront of online travel inspiration as a rewarding era, describing the evolution of 101 Holidays as a joy. Her comments resonate with her readiness to explore more personal adventures, as she puts it, to ‘spread my wings and travel more.’
Kemp conveys her enthusiasm about joining the team, highlighting 101 Holidays’ commitment to knowledge and expertise through professional journalism. This appointment marks a strategic development for the company, aligning with its goals for expansion and sustained influence in the travel inspiration domain.
The leadership change at 101 Holidays marks a new era, driven by Julia Kemp’s expertise and vision.
