About Us
Background
The Walshe Group commenced operations in New Zealand in 1976 and entered the Australian market the following year. The Walshe Group expanded into Hong Kong in 2006 and Singapore in 2007. Since these beginnings we now represent a wide range of high profile airlines, land operators and tourist boards. Now employing over 60 people in four countries, we have become a market leader in our field.
We have received recognition of excellence in business from our peers and our principals within the travel industry, with The Walshe Group, New Zealand, receiving awards for the best GSA company three years in succession.
A key strength of The Walshe Group is the establishment of dedicated businesses to support each principal account and these operate as stand alone units. The Walshe Group also operates under guidance of clear business values which "live" within the organisation. These values include recognition, excellence, creativity and integrity.
Our executive and management team have a vast variety of experience throughout many differing aspects of the travel industry. This combined knowledge provides a strong foundation to the company.
Executive Profiles
Chief Executive Officer - Jacqui Walshe MBA, BBS
Jacqui Walshe is current Chief Executive Officer of Southern Travel Holdings, the holding company of The Walshe Group. Southern Travel Holdings is listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZAX). Jacqui was appointed to this role in April 2008.
Responsible for all operations of the Australian and New Zealand companies, Jacqui has been with The Walshe Group for over 20 years, a number of which were in the role of General Manager for Walshe's World, before being appointed to the position of Managing Director of The Walshe Group in early 1999. Originally from Auckland, Jacqui moved with her family to Sydney, Australia in 2000 in the course of her MD role. Since then the Australian business has grown to be the key contributor to The Walshe Group profits and the company has expanded into Hong Kong and Singapore.
Jacqui has been a key influence on company strategy and decision making throughout her senior career and has been instrumental in improving organizational competence in HR policy and achieving consistency in service and performance across business divisions and geographic territories.
She is a past president of the Canada New Zealand Business Association, a past vice president of SKAL Auckland and former chair of the STAR Alliance Sales and Marketing Committee. Jacqui completed her MBA in 1998, and was a member of Massey University's Tourism Advisory Committee.
Jacqui is a former member and treasurer of the board of ANTOR (Association National Tourism Organisation Representatives) Australasia and is on the board of Liontamer Investments Pty Ltd.
GM Human Resources Asia and New Zealand - Sonia Holt MBA
Sonia joined The Walshe Group in 1993, transferring from United Airlines when AIMS Australia was appointed GSA. Sonia gained expansive airline operational and sales experience in numerous territories during her extensive career representing United Airlines, finishing in her role as Manager Offline Australia on 31 October 2007.
In 2005 Sonia joined The Walshe Group board as Associate Director, Human Resources. In November 2007, she was appointed as GM Human Resources Asia and New Zealand.
Sonia completed an MBA sponsored by The Walshe Group in 2003.
GM Strategy and Business Development and Key Account Manager - Swiss International Air Lines - Anil Rodricks BA
Anil rejoined The Walshe Group in his Swiss role in April 2002 when the airline's Australia organisation was converted to the GSA structure. He moved residence to Australia in March 2000 with his family after his role as Marketing and Sales Manager India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Prior to that he headed the Swissair Group company Global Excellence India Pvt Ltd, a GSA, a leisure operator, and a representation and consultancy business.
Since the start of his career in 1979, Anil has worked with pioneering companies in every facet of the travel industry including retail, leisure and corporate travel.
In 2005 Anil joined The Walshe Group board as an associate director, Strategy.
Other Key Personnel
National Sales Manager, South African Airways, Australia - Ian Robinson
Account Manager, Eurostar, Australia and New Zealand - Jason Tarabo
Country Manager, Australia, Hawaii Tourism Oceania - Helen Williams
Country Manager, New Zealand, Hawaii Tourism Oceania - Darragh Walshe
Key Account and Strategy Manager, New Zealand - Stephen Tanner
Key Account and Operations Manager, New Zealand - Wendy Stanton
Sales Manager, United Airlines, New Zealand - Leanne Cheesman
Account Manager, American Airlines, Hong Kong and Macau - Maisee Wong
Account Manager, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Singapore - William Yeo