This case study was originally published in our report, thinkBIG: How to grow a successful family business.  Download the full report >

Anywhere Travel: Bespoke Business and Leisure Travel. 

In 1982, Barbara Whitten founded Anywhere Travel with only a team of two and an intention to provide unique corporate and high end leisure travel experiences. Four decades later, the business now employs more than 25 staff and is highly sought after for its expertise in corporate travel management.

Over the years, businesses owned by Barbara’s husband and sons also grew – leading the family to unite them all under an umbrella group comprising travel, hotels, property investments and an investment banking firm. Today, her sons’ skills and experience in their own chosen fields significantly enrich decision making in legal, financial, and HR matters across all businesses in the group.

Strong governance is Barbara's cornerstone advice for family businesses. A board with regular monthly meetings ensures decisions are collective rather than individual, and an external CFO adds an unbiased voice to the board's decisions. The family also sets financial limits for investments; any amount exceeding the set limit requires board approval. Open discussions and mutual respect among family members are non-negotiable and help to keep everyone aligned.

Learning over time, they also realised the importance of a structured approach.

A family office adds a layer of cohesion, providing genuine help when needed. External consultants are employed for specialised advice, and diversification is a key business strategy. Barbara is an advocate of seizing opportunities as they arise, fully aware that not all will succeed but it's important to try.

As for the future, succession planning is already in play. Barbara and her semi-retired husband face new choices about passing on their businesses, especially as they consider the roles their grandchildren might assume. Barbara emphasises that sound management is crucial in determining whether a family business will be sold, closed, or can continue to flourish under the next generation. A well structured, cohesive, and diversified approach has been their formula for sustainability and growth – and it’s a formula they're keen to pass on to the next generation. 

 

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