Staff at Excursions Ltd

Rupert Woodard, MD

Rupert’s maritime career began with seagoing service in the Royal Navy following which he became Director of Cruise Operations for the luxury travel and safari company Abercrombie & Kent, setting up expedition cruising in Antarctica and other remote destinations around the globe.

Later, as Director Land Programs for the six star cruise line, Crystal Cruises,  he developed world-wide touring, excursions, hotel programs and turnaround logistics for the two 960 passenger luxury vessels. He also took an active role in the design of the world-wide sailing schedules for both ships.

In 1997 he became Managing Director World-wide Cruise Operations for A&K, responsible for creating consistency in how cruise vessels and their passengers were handled between the 28 A&K inbound operations around the world.

Rupert together with his wife Anna, Founded Excursions Ltd in 1999.

Tel: 01793 765300/333

Anna Woodard, Director

Anna is co-Director and shareholder of Excursions Ltd and takes responsibility for the running of the Company business, Human Resources, marketing projects and general office management.

With an Honours degree in History and Education, Anna also brings much to the table by way of creative tour design and operational support on an ad hoc basis.

Tel: 01793 765300/333

Anthea Desmond, Director, International Operations

Anthea has worked in the hotel and event/conference management industry throughout her career until joining Excursions Ltd. As a member of the team since 2002 she has specialised in International Groups but is occasionally persuaded to turn her awesomely efficient hand to Inbound Cruise Lines!

Tel: 01793 765222/333

Chris Hazell , Operations Manager

Chris has worked in all areas of Events industry ranging from specialist events planning to direct marketing.  Since joining Excursions Ltd in 2008 he is now responsible for inbound Cruise liners and specialist touring groups throughout England and Wales.

Tel: 01793 765222/333

Claire Reade, Operations Manager

Claire spent many years working on board cruise ships within the Shore Excursions Department before joining Excursions Ltd in 2003. She brings an invaluable wealth of knowledge and experience to the team, helping us all to understand and pre-empt the challenges faced by the cruise line’s on-board team of staff when selling and coordinating shore-excursions. Claire predominantly handles Inbound Cruise Lines throughout England and Wales.

Tel: 01793 765222/333

Vicki King, Operations Manager

Vicki joined Excursions Ltd in 2008 with almost 30 years in the travel industry.  During this time Vicki has worked all over the world for UK and US companies and in many different areas of the business including inbound FIT and group tours, outbound tour operations and tour leading, conferences and incentives, hotels and airlines. Vicki looks after both inbound UK and international tours and specialises in London and pre and post program extensions worldwide.       

Tel: 01793 765222/333

Kelly O'Dwyer, Operations Co-ordinator

Kelly's career to date has mainly been in Administration and Customer Service. Her role prior to joining Excursions Ltd involved leading and developing a team who providing support to Military Officers in arranging internal and external visits/events at the Defence Academy of the UK. Since joining Excursions in February 2008 she has taken on the South East region for inbound operations as well as managing some of our international accounts.

Tel: 01793 765222/333

Kirsty Veitch , Operations Co-ordinator, Scotland

Kirsty  joined Excursions Ltd in 2008. Previously  she  worked for an other Edinburgh based  inbound Tour Operator organising Incentive trips, corporate events ,  conferences  and cruise line visits all over Scotland.  Kirsty works in  our  Edinburgh office and looks after  inbound operations  throughout  Scotland.

Tel: 0131 554 4500

Ann Wilkinson , Operations Manager, Scotland

Malcolm Macrae, Director, Orkney Cruise Services

As the owner of one of the finest historic houses in the Orkney Islands, Malcolm is an influential member of the local community and a key player in the tourism initiatives of the Islands.  Malcolm teamed up with Excursions Ltd in Autumn 2006 to create our joint venture: Orkney Cruise Services.  Our goal is to ensure the very best possible welcome and visitor experience for all cruise visitors to Orkney - showcasing the wonderful heritage of these fascinating and beautiful islands.

Tel: 01856 841501

Helen Snooks , Operations Manager, Orkney Cruise Services

Helen has worked extensively in the tourism sector in Orkney, coordinating shore excursions for cruise ships and speciality tours for land based groups before teaming up with Excursions Ltd in Autumn 2006 to create our latest enterprise: Orkney Cruise Services.  Her first hand experience managing one of the top visitor attractions in Orkney and working as a guide on the islands gives her an intimate knowledge of Orkney and the unique circumstances which surround the arrangements of shore excursions in island communities.  She is permanently based in Orkney and runs the Orkney office from the attic of one of the finest historic houses on the islands!

Tel: 01856 841501

Sandra Brown, Accountant

Based in the head office, Sandra handles all financial issues for Excursions Ltd.

Tel: 01793 765222/333