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Who we are

There are four founders.
We’re a weird mix of business acumen, artistic flair, a PHD in nerdology and Grade 5 Violin
Each of us brings something different to the table only to watch in embarrassment as Sam C normally tries to eat it.
Much to all of our relief, there are now 2 more members to our team, bringing organisation, dedication and vision, as well as both being fully trained in naughty-step implementation.
Don’t ask us why or how but it seems to work.
And here’s where we say hi!
In no particular order:

First up, Andy Cook, Director and Business Brain

Andy has extensive experience in the travel and hospitality industries on both sides of the Atlantic with a particular focus on technology and distribution*. He holds an MBA from New York’s Columbia Business School. Mind you it didn’t really prepare him for marriage nor indeed for having three young sons. Great at business plans. Not quite so handy at potty training.
(* Sounds impressive but was it just a six month stint as a cabin steward with Air India flying the red eye from JFK to Heathrow? Only joking boss!)

Second, Sam Cartmell, Director and Writing Bloke

Following 4 years in journalism, including a stint on The Sun, Sam moved to Hong Kong where he became an advertising copywriter and helped to relaunch Cathay Pacific Airways worldwide. Back in England, Sam now works at The Red Brick Road - an ad agency he co-founded with five partners in March 2006. Clients include Tesco and Heineken. He has also created award-winning websites for Mini and Peperami. Sam is married with three young daughters. The big fella enjoys rugby and is currently on a diet. Have you finished with those crisps?

Number 3, Therese Stowell, Design Olympian

Therese worked as a professional programmer, user interface designer, and system architect for eleven years at Microsoft, Sony, and Hitachi. She received her MFA in Fine Art from Goldsmiths in 2002 and has exhibited widely in London and the States. And she represented the USA in the ‘Art Olympics’ in Athens in August 2004. Sort of Michelangelo meets Michael Johnson. Go Therese. Go! Therese has a son.

@4, Steve Wallis, Programmer and South African Love God

Steve can include ICL, Sabre and Ericsson as previous clients during a ten year career in IT and draws on experience from a number of industries including travel, telecommunications, legal and healthcare. Since 2002 Steve has been working for the NHS on a number of internal awareness campaigns. He has ensured that his websites utilise new technology to facilitate easy learning and sharing of experiences. Steve obtained a B.Sc in Computer Science at the University of Natal in South Africa. But beware if he asks you up for a coffee, you may get more than Java. This boy knows code – including the one to a woman’s heart. The boy’s Flash! ((((Professional Studio MX 2004))))

Number 5, Lucy Ace, Slave Driver and Managing Director

With 10 years experience in the hotel, hospitality and technology industries… AND with 2 young children, no one is better placed to run Take the Family on a day-to-day basis than the fragrant Lucy Ace. Which is quite handy really because Lucy has just been appointed our new managing director. Lucy brings vital qualities such as hard work, organisation and the ability to leave a voice message, so sadly lacking in her colleagues listed above. Plus more than her fair share of enthusiasm. Whenever any of us are low, one thing’s for sure… Ace is high!

New in at No. 6, Sam Redmond-Lyon, Director of Information and Vegetable Grower

Double-barreled, single-minded and triple jointed, the multi-talented Sam Redmond-Lyon is takethefamily's chief writer, travel expert and more or less everything else besides. Having travelled widely across Africa, Asia and the USA, Sam has finally settled in rural Somerset with a golden retriever where she spends her time developing her vegetable garden, our website, and her unrivalled knowledge of family travel destinations. Her two surnames are only matched by her two brains which allow her to be as scientific as she is artistic. A one time web-designer and product designer, we're thrilled that Sam has agreed to lend her many talents to our efforts at takethefamily. This vegetable growing travel expert certainly knows her onions.

Now, that's enough about us, what about you? If you're looking for inspiration about where to go, or you'd like to check our special offers and possibly book a holiday or more, or you just want to have some questions answered about the complexities of family travel....hopefully we can help you and, wherever you end up going, bon voyage!