Meet the Leadership Team

Graham Donoghue - Chief Executive Officer

Graham has been our CEO since 2016, having previously held the position of Group Chief Product Officer at MoneySuperMarket Group, in addition to Managing Director and Board roles at both MoneySuperMarket and TUI previously. Despite his experience, Graham isn’t your usual CEO and if you are lucky enough to visit our Chester HQ, you may spot him manning our Friday beer trolley, handing out roses on Valentine’s Day or generally having a chinwag with our colleagues!

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Graham has been our CEO since 2016, having previously held the position of Group Chief Product Officer at MoneySuperMarket Group, in addition to Managing Director and Board roles at both MoneySuperMarket and TUI previously. Despite his experience, Graham isn’t your usual CEO and if you are lucky enough to visit our Chester HQ, you may spot him manning our Friday beer trolley, handing out roses on Valentine’s Day or generally having a chinwag with our colleagues!

Michael Graham - Chief Financial Officer

Michael joined Sykes Holiday Cottages as our Chief Financial Officer in June 2015, with a strong background in private equity investments and previous positions at PWC under his belt. Since then, he has driven Sykes Holiday Cottages from strength to strength, as well as growing one of the most successful teams in our business.

Michael joined Sykes Holiday Cottages as our Chief Financial Officer in June 2015, with a strong background in private equity investments and previous positions at PWC under his belt. Since then, he has driven Sykes Holiday Cottages from strength to strength, as well as growing one of the most successful teams in our business.

James Shaw - Chief Marketing Officer

James has been our Chief Marketing Officer since February 2016, joining the Sykes Holiday Cottages Family with a wealth of experience in building Digital Marketing operations globally. Since then, James has been busy at work, expanding our team of superstar Marketing professionals and in early 2020 rolled out our newest Digital Marketing and TV advertising campaign – a first for Sykes!

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James has been our Chief Marketing Officer since February 2016, joining the Sykes Holiday Cottages Family with a wealth of experience in building Digital Marketing operations globally. Since then, James has been busy at work, expanding our team of superstar Marketing professionals and in early 2020 rolled out our newest Digital Marketing and TV advertising campaign – a first for Sykes!

Bev Dumbleton - Chief Operating Officer

Joining our team in May 2016, Bev brought with her a wealth of operational experience and over 30 years’ experience working within the Travel industry, both within sales and support functions. She has a history of streamlining operational functions with a clear focus on delivering operational excellence. Bev cares about her people and since joining, has seen our Operations team triple in size!

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Joining our team in May 2016, Bev brought with her a wealth of operational experience and over 30 years’ experience working within the Travel industry, both within sales and support functions. She has a history of streamlining operational functions with a clear focus on delivering operational excellence. Bev cares about her people and since joining, has seen our Operations team triple in size!

Adam Platt - Chief Technical Officer

Adam is one of the longest-standing members of our Leadership team, having joined us way back in 2008. In July 2020, Adam became our Technical Director and leads our award-winning Tech department from the front, building out our DevOps, Cyber Security, Business Intelligence and Software Development function across the Sykes company and our sister brands!

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Adam is one of the longest-standing members of our Leadership team, having joined us way back in 2008. In July 2020, Adam became our Technical Director and leads our award-winning Tech department from the front, building out our DevOps, Cyber Security, Business Intelligence and Software Development function across the Sykes company and our sister brands!

Stephen Joyce - People Director

Stephen joined the Sykes Holiday Cottages Family in March 2022, after holding the position of Chief People Officer at Your Housing Group. Here, he spent 7 years leading the team and supporting the 1000+ employees with a focus on culture and values. He was also the lead in driving the People Plus strategy, which focused on wellbeing, communication, engagement and occupational safety. Catch Stephen leading our talented people team, ensuring we remain focused on the first pillar of our house model.

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Stephen joined the Sykes Holiday Cottages Family in March 2022, after holding the position of Chief People Officer at Your Housing Group. Here, he spent 7 years leading the team and supporting the 1000+ employees with a focus on culture and values. He was also the lead in driving the People Plus strategy, which focused on wellbeing, communication, engagement and occupational safety. Catch Stephen leading our talented people team, ensuring we remain focused on the first pillar of our house model.

Matt Prescott - Director of Product

Matt joined the Sykes Family in November 2015 and has since climbed the ranks to become our Director of Product. Matt has extensive knowledge and experience in building customer-focused Product teams with a data-driven approach and is responsible for all consumer-facing products across our business, as well as our technically passionate Product department at our Chester HQ.

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Matt joined the Sykes Family in November 2015 and has since climbed the ranks to become our Director of Product. Matt has extensive knowledge and experience in building customer-focused Product teams with a data-driven approach and is responsible for all consumer-facing products across our business, as well as our technically passionate Product department at our Chester HQ.

Ric Saunders - Director of Revenue Management

Ric joined the Sykes Family in October 2017, having spent 7 years excelling in the Transport and Retail sectors. Ric qualified as a Management Accountant in 2008 and has held both Senior Commercial Finance and General Manager roles at the likes of Co-Operative Food, Marks & Spencer and Virgin Trains. Ric now oversees our passionate Revenue Management department.

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Ric joined the Sykes Family in October 2017, having spent 7 years excelling in the Transport and Retail sectors. Ric qualified as a Management Accountant in 2008 and has held both Senior Commercial Finance and General Manager roles at the likes of Co-Operative Food, Marks & Spencer and Virgin Trains. Ric now oversees our passionate Revenue Management department.

Harriet Kerr - Commercial Director

Harriet joined our family in January 2019, with a wealth of experience and success in business development, account management and commercial analysis. Harriet has held senior roles at STA Travel & BUNAC, and currently oversees our Property Recruitment team who, for the last two years, have exceeded our internal booking targets and show no sign of slowing down!

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Harriet joined our family in January 2019, with a wealth of experience and success in business development, account management and commercial analysis. Harriet has held senior roles at STA Travel & BUNAC, and currently oversees our Property Recruitment team who, for the last two years, have exceeded our internal booking targets and show no sign of slowing down!

Michaela Davies - Corporate Development Director

Michaela joined the Sykes Holiday Cottages Family in May 2017, having previously held positions at United Utilities and EY. Since then, Michaela has quickly progressed in Commercial Finance and Corporate Development roles before becoming our Corporate Development Director in 2020. Michaela has been intrinsic in numerous transitions of our sister brands, including Bachcare in New Zealand.

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Michaela joined the Sykes Holiday Cottages Family in May 2017, having previously held positions at United Utilities and EY. Since then, Michaela has quickly progressed in Commercial Finance and Corporate Development roles before becoming our Corporate Development Director in 2020. Michaela has been intrinsic in numerous transitions of our sister brands, including Bachcare in New Zealand.

Tom Lockwood – Regional Commercial Director

Tom joined the Sykes family in 2018, having previously worked in a large FTSE 250 organisation, bringing with him over 8 years of commercial finance experience. Tom stepped up to Regional Commercial Director in 2020, a role that focuses on people and business fundamentals. Tom leverages Sykes’ core strengths, driving improved performance and professionalism in our regional brands.

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Tom joined the Sykes family in 2018, having previously worked in a large FTSE 250 organisation, bringing with him over 8 years of commercial finance experience. Tom stepped up to Regional Commercial Director in 2020, a role that focuses on people and business fundamentals. Tom leverages Sykes’ core strengths, driving improved performance and professionalism in our regional brands.

Jemma Clarke – Legal Director

Jemma joined us in February 2021, having gained a wealth of experience at a top US law firm, and upon moving back up North, the top ranking most active law firm in her area of expertise, and she knows us well, having acted for us since 2017. Jemma’s team is responsible for the legal wellbeing of the Sykes group - ensuring we make the most of opportunities, properly manage risk, and have the confidence that our business-as-usual dealings with our owners and customers are best in class.

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Jemma joined us in February 2021, having gained a wealth of experience at a top US law firm, and upon moving back up North, the top ranking most active law firm in her area of expertise, and she knows us well, having acted for us since 2017. Jemma’s team is responsible for the legal wellbeing of the Sykes group - ensuring we make the most of opportunities, properly manage risk, and have the confidence that our business-as-usual dealings with our owners and customers are best in class.

Luke Squires – Operations Director

Luke joined our Sykes family in January 2022, previously having held senior roles at Virgin Holidays and Virgin Atlantic. Luke brings experience of leading and developing customer operations teams, with a focus on new technology and delivering efficient processes. Luke directs his efforts towards building contact channels that enable customers to interact with us in a way that suits them and exceeds their expectations and requirements.

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Luke joined our Sykes family in January 2022, previously having held senior roles at Virgin Holidays and Virgin Atlantic. Luke brings experience of leading and developing customer operations teams, with a focus on new technology and delivering efficient processes. Luke directs his efforts towards building contact channels that enable customers to interact with us in a way that suits them and exceeds their expectations and requirements.

Charlotte Owen – Commercial Finance Director

Charlotte joined the Sykes Family in 2018, bringing her experience from previous roles at Sky, PWC and Grosvenor. She oversees the awesome Commercial Finance team, who are embedded across the business, driving forward exciting commercial and strategic projects that realise our growth ambitions, as well as being responsible for the Group’s budget and forecast.

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Charlotte joined the Sykes Family in 2018, bringing her experience from previous roles at Sky, PWC and Grosvenor. She oversees the awesome Commercial Finance team, who are embedded across the business, driving forward exciting commercial and strategic projects that realise our growth ambitions, as well as being responsible for the Group’s budget and forecast.