Vivienne Hudson-Findlay, the delightful face and driving force behind hotelshopUK.com and Great Little Breaks – the country’s leading UK accommodation and short break specialist – is in with a fighting chance of winning this major accolade, now celebrating its 30th year
Everything about Vivienne Hudson-Findlay, MD of Droitwich-based hotelshopUK.com, shouts success. Highly capable and hugely charismatic, Vivienne’s drive and ambition has made a considerable impact on the hotel industry over the past 33 years. And now this is being recognised by her peers: she’s been singled out as one of six finalists who’ve particularly impressed the selection committee of the Businesswoman of the Year Awards.
Thirteen years ago, Hudson-Findlay started hotelshopUK.com – specialising in 2* to 5* accommodation and short breaks throughout the UK for both the leisure and corporate markets – with just four staff and 37 hotels on board. Today, she leads a team of 50 people, with a portfolio of 400 closely-linked partner hotels and a further 40,000 affiliate hotels. This March, the company reported a remarkable sales increase of 28% year on year.
The latest addition to her portfolio is Great Little Breaks, launched just 12 months ago. It’s an exciting and novel online brand that facilitates the booking of short breaks in the UK complete with activities and treats at just one eye-catching little price that includes everything…accommodation, attractions, activities and oodles of added value. Already some 98% of the company’s customers have been delighted with their getaways and would recommend Great Little Breaks to a friend.
Hudson-Findlay strives for the local community as well. She has worked with The Prince’s Trust in Hereford and Worcestershire for over six years, and is heavily involved in key community affairs and business groups/clubs and events.
On Friday 5th October, the six finalists, including Hudson-Findlay, will attend the 30th Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards at the Birmingham Metropole Hotel. It’s an event that plays host to over 450 women and this year welcomes Karen Millen as its key speaker. Everyone who works with Viv and has met her will be rooting for her in the final of this major business award. Characteristically, Viv is simply delighted to have made the final cut; she says that it’s a result that reflects her team’s hard work over the years.
For more information on Viv Hudson-Findlay’s companies, visit hotelshopUK.com (www.hotelshopUK.com; 08444 122 072) and Great Little Breaks (www.greatlittlebreaks.com; 08448 488 488).
ENDS / 26 September 2012
Press enquiries: Vivienne Hudson-Findlay is available for interview – please contact Travel PR on tel: 020 8891 4440; Mika Bishop, email: m.bishop@travelpr.co.uk or Mischa Mack, email: m.mack@travelpr.co.uk.