Steve Bray, Product Manager, Latin America
Steve is one of the longest serving employees at Bales, having originally started with the company in 1986. He “cut his teeth” on the Worldwide Brochure handling Sales and Operations and also had a stint in the Planning Department, before spending a couple of years working in London for another tour operator. In 1996 Steve returned to Bales to establish the Tailor Made department, which enjoyed rapid growth. In a restructuring of the company in 2006, Steve switched to his current role, which he relishes. Steve has many favorite destinations in South America including the spectacular setting of Rio de Janeiro, the incredible Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires - where he loves to watch Tango Shows - and the whole of Chile which offers so much varied scenery.
Originally from Malvern in Worcestershire, Steve went to school at the Sacred Heart College in Droitwich then Worcester Technical College and Dorset Institute of Higher Education in Poole. He supports Worcestershire County Cricket Club and Hereford United. Outside interests include quizzes, playing squash, and a little bit of golf. A rail enthusiast, he holds a loose ambition to travel on every railway line in the UK, although this project will take some time to complete!
| Vicky Alexander, Product Manager, Canada and Asia
Vicky knew from an early stage that she would love to work in the travel industry, and after graduating in Tourism and Marketing Management, she was determined to follow her passion and go traveling. She spent 12 months traveling overland through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Singapore before flying to Bali, Java, and Lombok.
After falling in love with Southeast Asia she headed to Australia, where she was born, to spend time exploring her roots. From Australia she went to New Zealand and ended her trip in South Africa, following the Garden Route. Since being at Bales for almost three years in the planning department, she has been fortunate enough to visit other parts of the world including Peru, enjoying seeing the mystical city of Machu Picchu, Belize where she explored the jungles in search of Mayan ruins, and Japan where she enjoyed the fantastic mix of old and the new.
Outside of work Vicky enjoys swimming, photography, and retail therapy!
| Jon Overton, Product Manager, Australia and New Zealand
Jon first developed a passion for travel while spending three months backpacking through Central America, before undertaking a degree in Tourism.
After graduating, Jon was determined to see more of the world. He worked for two and a half years in the product department of a North American Tour Operator before embarking on a nine-month round the world trip. His journey began in Southeast Asia traveling overland through Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. His next stop was Australia and New Zealand, where he was fortunate to fulfill two dreams: learning to dive on the Great Barrier Reef and attempting to confront his fear of heights on a nerve-shattering skydive. From New Zealand he flew across the date line to South America, where he traveled overland through Chile, Bolivia, Argentina before finishing up in Brazil.
Upon his return to the UK in the autumn of 2007, Jon joined the Planning Department at Bales Worldwide, where he works on the Australia and New Zealand brochure and the selection of images for all the brochures.
Outside of work Jon enjoys exercising, socializing, photography, and cooking.
| Mandy Nickerson (nee Bales), Managing Director
Joined Bales Worldwide in 1977
Experienced Marketeer
Qualified in fares and ticketing
Qualified in Institute of Travel & Tourism Course
Overseas successful developments and project of Bales Worldwide
A Catering & Hotel Management graduate, Mandy started her career as a cook and receptionist with aspirations of becoming a hotel General Manager. After a few years, the desire to experience life in tour operating took over and she joined Bales Worldwide as a sales representative, a position that she relished for ten years, developing relationships with travel agents the length and breadth of the country.
The first year at Bales, Mandy was seconded to a retail travel agency gaining an invaluable insight into the life of a busy travel agent. The dedication she displayed in this role eventually led to her taking up the position of Marketing Manager for Bales, handling all marketing disciplines including agency sales and advertising, a role she excelled in and which propelled her to become a Director in 1997.
Four years later she was made Managing Director and has managed to successfully steer Bales Worldwide through one of the hardest times the travel industry has known.
| Bales Worldwide Team
All departments gathered for a group photo outside of the office in Dorking, Surrey, United Kingdom.
|
RELATED VACATIONS
In addition to cultural tours, browse related adventure travel and active vacations such as archaeological tours, educational travel, martial arts camps, photography tours, walking tours, and wine tours.
|
|
TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINES |
 |
10 issues
$12.00
Save $33.00! |
 |
 6 issues
$7.95
Save $21.99! |
|
Featured Adventures
