The Company

Key Travel was established in 1980 and has since developed a global reputation as a leading service provider for business travel for not-for-profit organisations. The service allows customers to save money whilst providing vital assistance for the community; be it medical relief, aid and development, spiritual or educational. Its aim is to drive down the cost of travel for its customers without compromising the quality of service. It is also committed to providing an environmentally-friendly and efficient service at competitive prices.

Key Travel’s vision is to help their customers to make the biggest difference to their world and they deliver this by keeping their ultimate goal, “helping you to help others” at the forefront of everything they do.

The Issues

Key Travel’s success is largely due to its commitment to staff training and welfare. The appointment of new managing director Ajay Sodha at the end of 2005, saw the company embark upon a new and exciting course that would ultimately grow both their business and their people.

In order to implement this commitment and with no in-house HR team to support their plans for growth, Ajay had to find the right HR professional to meet their needs and so turned to Leeds-based HR consultancy, hr180° for guidance on how to make the most of its talented workforce.

The Solution

The hr180° team!! Initially, hr180°'s  very own Claire Morley-Jones started by ensuring buy-in from the senior management team. This took the form of a strategy day which identified the key successes of the company and also the challenge points. One immediate request was for all senior managers to undertake a 360 appraisal process. This was conducted online by hr180° using their Response360 system and full feedback and action-planning sessions were delivered by Claire to each individual.

Tailor made training sessions and workshops were delivered focusing on the identified development areas and this was followed by an intense programme of vision and values design, staff feedback meetings, focus groups and new bonus and incentive schemes.

Phase 2 entailed prioritising the business goals and aligning them with the various people strategies to ensure maximum effect and engagement. The hr180°  team also devised a competency framework, redesigned the job descriptions and appraisals system and developed new recruitment interview scripts.

Phase 3 saw Rachel Williams working on the creation and development of an internal and fully functional Human Resources department for both UK offices. This function has enabled the business to respond faster in terms of overall people strategy allowing it to adapt and grow quickly.

Phase 4 has seen the roll out of further training to all Key Travel supervisors. Angela Lewis, the hr180° training business partner, has delivered various sessions that aim to increase the skills and knowledge of existing Supervisors whilst helping them to develop and grow their own teams. As Key Travel improve upon their HR processes and people development, the team at hr180° continue to give regular guidance to Key Travel including supporting their newly-promoted HR Manager.

The Feedback

"Our journey over the last 18 months has been phenomenal and we are reaping the rewards.  The hr180° team have enabled us to grow our business confidently and with passion knowing that all of our staff are engaged with a vision and are working hard to help us succeed.
Ajay Sodha, Managing Director, Key Travel

Claire Morley-Jones, managing director of hr180°  commented: “Key Travel has been a great client to work with.  The senior management team are committed and willing to embrace new strategies and techniques which have improved the business phenomenally and given Key Travel employees a quality working life.”