Yorkshire & the Humber Enterprise Awards 2018

SME NEWS / Yorkshire &Humble Enterprise Awards 2018 9 , Calder is recognised as one of the UK’s leading agencies for accommodation, conference, event management and business travel. We spoke to James Turner to learn more about the firm and the services it has to offer, which have led it to the success it enjoys today. Best Business Travel Agency 2018 Established in 1989, Calder is family owned and remains family operated today, providing its award-winning service offering to a wide range of clients. Over the past 29 years the firm has forged a strong position within the sector which allows it to pass on tangible financial and service benefits to an impressive portfolio of clients within both the private and public sector who select us as travel management partners. In fact, statistics reflect that typical savings by using Calder are in excess of 31% against standard rates. James explores how this has helped drive the firm to its current market leading position. “Calder is a small, select and selected team of specialists within our field. As an SME company, we are large enough to wield influence and yet small enough to care about every detail for our customers. Whilst continuously developing our systems, we constantly strive in service excellence through our dedicated personal service. Such accolades as this are testament to our commitment. “Essential to the company’s success is our position as a total one-stop full travel solution - this means everything from rail, air, hotels, meetings and events to Visa advice and ground handling. Our focus is to deliver unparalleled service levels, value for money and true cost savings for those in partnership with us, as well as saving them precious time, energy and hassle through a highly stream-lined but personal process. “Such tangible cost savings become possible through our investment and development in highly sophisticated booking and payment systems, through the nurturing of a talented team of executives who are also skilled negotiators; as well as a management reporting suite. This information feedback, in the form of reservation reports for instance, assists customers with financial data to help monitor expenditure or zone in on maverick spends or non-compliance with company policy. In fact, Calder achieve 97.5% policy compliance for our clients through evidenced cost efficiencies and consolidated billing modules. Another priority over the years has been to remain a step ahead of rapid technological advances and enable our customers to make reservations through their preferred route with both offline/ high touch and online/self- booking options.” With regards to the future, James foresees even greater success for Calder as it capitalises on the benefits of being both in the travel industry and based in Leeds. “Looking ahead, our industry is changing, and we have an exciting future ahead of us at Calder. Research recently undertaken by ABTA has prompted predictions that GDPR could precipitate growth for business travel specialists. Businesses will increasingly look to us as experts in guiding them through compliance and avoiding damaging consequences of unnecessary neglect. Travel Management Companies now have an incredibly important role to play with businesses looking to them to help protect their data. Customer privacy and safety has always been paramount in our ethos, and moving forward we will be capitalising on this to meet the needs of our valued clientele. “Ultimately, as a Leeds- based company, we are very well-positioned to face the future. Northern transport connectivity has much to offer: we boast a strong regional airport and easy connection to Manchester Airport, coupled with transpennine rail services and access to both the M62 and M1, and improving this will remain an urgent issue on the national agenda with exciting transformations to come. We also have an amazing and diverse team of individuals with first- class people skills to offer close client contact and continuity. Our people offer an abundance of personality and humour, together with determination and resilience; in fact, everything for which this region has become renowned.” Calder YOR18012 Company: Calder Contact: James Turner Address: 4 Woodside Court, Clayton Wood Rise, Leeds, LS16 6RF, UK Phone: 0844 375 3288 Web Address: www.calders.org.uk