Popular travel industry stalwart Laurie Kennard has retired from Norman Allen Group Travel (www.group-travel.com).

Laurie arrived at Norman Allen Group Travel (NAGT) as Business Development Manager in 1992 and immediately hit the road, visiting clients, generating new enquiries and, in time, becoming the face of the company. NAGT hosted a farewell part at their Hereford offices, where Laurie's friends, as well as current and past colleagues gathered to bid him a very fond farewell. Reflecting his love of classic British sports cars he was given an MG Roadster celebratory cake.

Paul Mallon, Managing Director, thanked Laurie for his many years of loyal service and commented that he is a colleague they all view as cheery, dependable, solid and “an all-round good bloke”. He was presented with some gifts from the company, including a pair of snazzy gardening gloves, a state of the art garden irrigation system and a map of the World which, he advises, will take pride of place at his home office.

Laurie attended Bournemouth Technical College, now Bournemouth University, in 1970, taking a HND in Tourism Business. He then joined Thompson Holidays progressing from graduate trainee to Senior Sales Rep. What followed were positions at Sun Island Holidays, Scofield’s Travel, Lofty’s Tours, Greatdays and Roadrunner Holidays where his love of the workshop gained him the nickname “Clean Hands Kennard”.

Laurie is closely involved with his local MS Society and, in the months to come, plans to devote more time to that. But his love of all things travel is sure to prevail so don’t be surprised should he appear at future industry events.