The Penny Akam Unsung Hero in Travel Award

2010 recipient - Johnny Pollard, On The Beach 

The award was introduced last year in memory of Penny Akam, who worked tirelessly for Travel Weekly for so many years, making the Globes the special occasion that it is today.

Travel Weekly presented this award to Johnny Pollard, an individual who personifies many of the qualities of dedication and service that Penny held so dear.  He has worked tirelessly for the last 5 years to establish a business which has grown to become one of the Uk’s leading online travel agencies. His dedication behind the scenes.....working long hours 7 days a week and sacrificing valuable time with his young family....is regularly noted by staff and suppliers alike. To quote one colleague “He is the first person in the office and the last on out of it and makes time for everyone. Sometimes there doesn’t need to be a big act of selflessness to be a hero, merely a presence and caring that is unique and consistent”

Johnny prides himself on very high standards of customer service, and works very closely with suppliers, many of whom have become close friends. Another colleague says “In recent harder times where many business were reducing staffing he refused to allow this to happen which meant so much to the staff and people in the company to see loyalty from a director and a caring and fair arm around very worried shoulders."