Dame Irene Hays DBE, DL is the chair and owner of Hays Travel, the UK’s largest independent travel agency.
Under her leadership, the company has expanded significantly, operating nearly 500 retail outlets nationwide and generating a record turnover of approximately £423.5 million in the fiscal year ending April 2023, with gross sales reaching £2.2 billion.
Dame Irene has been instrumental in driving Hays Travel’s success, notably leading the acquisition of Thomas Cook’s retail operations in 2019, saving over 2,000 jobs. Since then, Hays Travel has acquired 7 other businesses, both retail and online and grown their homeworking operation to 700 people. Hays Travel also carries out the back-office support services for 120 independent travel agencies across the UK.
Dame Irene has been recognised for her dedication to public service and business excellence and has been recognised with several honours. She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2008 for services to local government and later elevated to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2021 for her contributions to training, education and young people.
