The Faces of Canvas Holidays

Find out more about our new Managing Director Simon Allan as we talk to him about his experience as a campsite courier back in 1990 and his reflections on what has changed in his 20 year with Canvas Holidays.

When did you first join Canvas Holidays?

I joined as a children’s courier on a three month contract in 1990! That makes 2010 my 20th year…

And what made you choose Canvas Holidays?

Like lots of our customers I had enjoyed family camping holidays in the late 70’s and early 80’s and had caught the camping bug! We had our own tent and camping equipment which we dragged around Europe. I soon became aware of Canvas Holidays as we often pitched our tent next to a Canvas tent and my mother was always jealous as their tents had more luxuries than we had! Like many who have come after me, I observed the Canvas Couriers on site and thought “That looks like a great job. I’d like a go at that”.

It’s funny to think now that I did apply for summer positions with Canvas when I was at college and was rejected. In those days, the recruitment policy required you to have an Oxbridge education and a language degree, and I had neither. I finally joined in 1990 after I had tried the real world in a “proper job” (as described by my mother circa Feb 1990) and I thought I would try a year out before settling down.

How was the company different back then?

At that time Canvas Holidays was privately owned by the Cuthbert Family, who seeing the popularity of European camping had come up with the idea of packaged camping holidays – setting up Canvas in 1965. I worked with them for three summer seasons in various roles overseas. It could be quite a challenge getting the campsites ready for our customers, as back then there was no such thing as free movement of goods within Europe. This often meant that vital items of camping equipment were not allowed into the country. I recall one time sitting in an office at Marseille docks, explaining to a particularly difficult French customs official why my Korean made plastic tent groundsheets – that he did not want to allow into the country – were so important, and of course also trying to explain why I had not chosen to buy French groundsheets.

What happened after your time as a courier?

In 1992 the business relocated to Dunfermline and I was called back from France to join a new team managed by George Elles (an entrepreneur had invested in the company providing the investment for growth). The next 10 years were a great time to be working for Canvas, as we took the basic idea of the European camping holiday and refined it – the business became much more professional in its approach, recognising the importance of training and developing staff and of course coming up with lots of improvements for our customers. During that time I was involved in reviewing the campsites we offered and adding new destinations - Canvas also developed a new tent and many new mobile home types. This, plus the introduction of new telephone, reservations and stock control systems, allowed us to gain market share and become a key company in the UK travel industry. I held various management roles, becoming Operations Director in 2004.

How do you think Canvas has changed over the years?

In many ways the essence of a Canvas Holiday is still the same as it was when I first started – yes we are now a professionally run business and have the support of a global corporate parent company, but the importance of understanding customers needs and our staff wellbeing is still at the heart of how we do business.

Two years ago, as Operations Director, I took some time to go ‘back to the floor’ to work as a campsite courier in Spain for a few days. I was interested to know how life was for a courier and to see if the job had changed. I found that although we now have a more defi ned set of systems in place to support our couriers, much of the role remains the same and providing excellent customer service is absolutely the key to our success.

So what’s next for Canvas?

In my new role as Managing Director I am excited by the prospect of steering Canvas Holidays into another time period, where we will continue to evolve as a company - using new technology where we can - to provide improved service and embracing product innovation to reflect changing customer needs.

You’ve obviously visited a few Canvas sites over the years. Do you have a favourite and why?

Part of me wants to say Camping Eden on Lake Garda as I love the views and it has one of the best restaurants , but if I am really honest its probably Groléjac in the Dordogne after spending a thoroughly enjoyable summer there in 1992.

Any trips planned for 2010?

Yes - too many to list here! I will definitely be going to our mid-season meeting, which we hold annually for our area managers; however the location is currently a closely guarded secret! We also try to make sure that the team behind Canvas get out to visit as many of our campsites to help their understanding. We have team meetings planned at one of our Spanish resorts in May. But before all that, I will be attending the first courier training course at Berny Rivière at the end of March, when I will be taking part in the all important training of our customer service team.

Would you like to be a courier ?

If you are 18 or over and would like to apply for a position as a campsite courier with Canvas Holidays, please visit our recruitment website at www.canvasholidaysrecruitment.com