Our Group Board

The people who are ultimately responsible for the long-term stewardship of the Albatross Group, its strategic direction and governance is the Board of Directors. The members of The Albatross Group Board are listed below.

To contact any of our Directors please call or email the People & Administrative Services Team team on: +44 1732 879194 or email enquiries@albatrossgroup.com.

Steve Hornby

Group Chief Executive Officer

Having completed his degree in Business Administration at the University of Bath, Steve spent the next 10 years living overseas, in Austria, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, working with several companies primarily in the travel industry. In 1999 Steve joined the company as Incoming Manager of what was then the Albatross Travel Group. In 2006 Steve moved with his family to Wiltshire to take up the role of Managing Director of group tour operator, Success Tours. Two years later Steve joined Sean Taggart in purchasing the Albatross Group from founding directors Sally and Manfred Thelen, eventually taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer. In 2016 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer and, in 2017, together with Chief Financial Officer, Adam Handy, Steve completed another buyout of the Group’s shareholding. Steve plays a leading role within the group tourism industry and is currently Chairman of the British Association of Wholesale Tour Agents.

Adam Handy

Group Chief Financial Officer

Following a successful career within mainstream tour operations, Adam, a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, joined Albatross as the Head of Finance in 2007 and was promoted to the Group Board in 2009. Given Adam’s passion and experience in People, Leadership and Management and online technology, Adam is now also responsible for the Group’s Service Departments incorporating Accounts & Finance, People & Administration and IT. In keeping with Adam’s passion for people, he takes an active interest in his local community and served as Chairman of nearby Larkfield Football Club in Kent for many years. His interest in sport has also seen him play an integral role in the creation of Success Fitness and Sports Tours, established in 2020 to deliver fantastic travel experiences for fitness and sporting groups.

Denise Bridges

Group Director

Having worked as a long-time and trusted supplier to the Albatross Group in her role as Travel Trade Sales Director for Paramount Hotels, Denise joined Albatross in 2011 in a new role of Head of UK Sales, initially focusing on developing business from our core customer base of UK coach operators. In 2013, Denise was promoted to running wholesale in its entirety, reporting to the CEO. In 2015 Denise was again promoted to Managing Director of Albatross Travel, and in April 2016 took overall responsibility for our business to business brands. Denise joined the Group Board in 2016.