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Meet the team

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Ashley Gowing

Managing Director

Set up the business back in 1992 and remains Managing Director today. A qualified football coach, Spurs season ticket holder and very proud Dad to two daughters who love to perform. Professional highlights have included looking after French rugby giants Clermont Auvergne in five European Cup finals, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the company in 2022 and building a hugely experienced team of brilliant individuals, all committed to providing the very best service around.

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James Gowing

Director

Joined the business way back in 1995, James is responsible for company finances, operations and most things technical too! A speedy winger back in his time on the football field, these days he’s a frustrated Spurs supporter.

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Lucy Gowing

Operations Manager (ski and study)

With a background in education, Lucy joined the business as a break from teaching more than 15 years ago and never looked back. As Operations Manager she overseas logistics for our ski programme and our study trips to New York, liaising with customers and suppliers alike. After a successful climb of Kilimanjaro and lots of other fabulous trips besides, she also loves cycling and mountain biking too.

Paul Phasey

Operations Manager (study & sport)

After securing a degree in Sports Management, Paul entered the school travel market and cut his teeth in study trip operations before taking a senior position in Customer Service. Bringing his vast experience of both itinerary planning, logistics and account management, Paul joined the Absolute Travel team in 2023 with responsibility for our European Study trip operations, Safety Management System and Operations.

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Will Pinsent

Educational Tours Manager

A real expert in the field of educational travel, Will is an absolute specialist with more than 25 years’ experience in helping groups to enjoy memorable trips abroad. Despite a passion for European cities, his first love is actually New York - our favourite school study trip destination. He also likes to think of himself as something of a red wine connoisseur.

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Rebecca Burton

Sports Tours Manager

Having travelled independently throughout Asia after completing a sports degree at university, Bex joined us back in 2015. Bex manages our SportsSchool festivals in Holland and Spain as well as looking after our programme of bespoke school sports tours, training camps and tournaments too. A keen hockey player herself, Bex brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team.

James Bilson

Sports Tours Manager (football & rugby)

Entrusted with account managing our ever increasing portfolio of football and rugby club tailor-made tours, training camps and tournaments, James joined us from a background in group travel and sales. His commitment to customer service and passion for sport makes him a perfect fit for a rile dedicated to delivering the very best experience to our teams on tour.

Leon Carroll

Business Development Manager (ski, sport, activity)

Having worked with ski groups for more than 20 years as a highly respected ski rep and resort manager, Leon joined the Absolute team on a full time basis in 2023 after a series of management positions in youth organisations and charities. Leon has specific responsibility for our school ski and activity groups, our team of ski reps in destination and an exciting broader role to develop our school group relationships moving forwards.

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Tim Hague

Tour Consultant (ski & sport)

A proud Yorkshireman, Tim has worked with us behind the scenes for more than twenty years as our Italian events coordinator, looking after our football and rugby tours to Italy as well as developing our ski destinations in the Dolomites, Alpes and Trentino. He has huge experience in handling and organising both UK and overseas sports tour travel, working with schools, amateurs and professional clubs alike. Tim is fluent in Italian, a keen saxophonist, a budding actor and disillusioned Sheffield Wednesday supporter.

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Martyn Harries

Tour Consultant (ski & activity)

Having run his own ski business for a decade, Martyn joined the Absolute team back in 2007. Now happily retired from the day to day stresses of the business, he now acts as a Consultant on an occasional basis behind the scenes.

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Sue Rudd

Travel Agency General Manager

With more than 30 years in travel, Sue knows more about travel than anyone else we know. As an experienced travel agency manager she is responsible for looking after both our local and national customers, offering outstanding advice and customer service… which is why so many of her clients come from referrals and recommendations.