BUSINESS
HOLIDAY EXTRAS
Reveal Recruitment Secrets
TUCKED AWAY ON THE SOUTH COAST OF RURAL KENT, HOLIDAY EXTRAS – THE UK MARKET
LEADER IN HOLIDAY EXTRAS SUCH AS AIRPORT PARKING, AIRPORT HOTELS, LOUNGES AND
TRAVEL INSURANCE - VIEWS ITS PRODUCT AND TECH TEAMS AS ONE OF THE CENTRAL PILLARS
OF ITS FIVE-YEAR STRATEGY.
In 2019 Holiday Extras added product managers,
software and data engineers, as well as a design lead,
to its 150-strong product and tech team. With both
high-speed trains running into St Pancras from
nearby Westenhanger and the M20 on the doorstep,
the business offers a feasible commute for an ever-
growing number of employees who live in London.
Holiday Extras also puts emphasis on nurturing its
own home-grown talent, this year partnering with
Makers Academy to create its first ever apprenticeship
scheme in which candidates undertake a 12-week
computer programming course to learn the skills
needed to become a developer. The company also
has a decade-long partnership with The University
of Kent, hiring several third-year Industrial Placement
engineering students, most of whom return to take
up full-time employment with the company after
completing their studies.
Being a business with global ambitions, Holiday
Extras has ensured that it is universally-savvy when
it comes to its recruitment strategy. In recent years,
it has created a tech hub in Sofia, Bulgaria where it
hosts 15 engineers, with more hubs in Lisbon,
Münich, Birmingham and Maidenhead. With this
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global approach, the business has quickly become
a remote-friendly organisation, making use of screen-
sharing and audio equipment.
Retaining and developing employees is at the heart
of Holiday Extra’s missions, with the company
ensuring that its workspace has a positive culture,
flexible working, fortnightly hack days and the
Wanderlust initiative, where members of the team
can work remotely from anywhere in the world for
up to two weeks of the year.
The business also has a number of employee-led
groups - including Women @ HX, LGBTQ+ @
HX and Invisible Disabilities @ HX. ‘Women @
HX’, a network designed to help women share
experiences, learn from others and discuss challenges
openly and honestly, recently hosted an open-to-all
session on the implications of menopause in the
workplace - ‘Let’s Pause to Talk Menopause’.
The seminar has already led to changes in the
workplace at Holiday Extras, from the set-up of a
dedicated Intranet group for sharing experiences,
information and tips, to the purchase of informative
books available in the Holiday Extras Library and
sprays and wipes available in the ladies’ toilets.
Company mental health first aiders are also being
equipped with greater knowledge on the menopause
to provide additional support.
Anna Divers, group product director at Holiday
Extras, said: “We are privileged to be based in such
a great location here in Hythe, welcoming commuters
and home-grown talent from Kent and surrounding
areas. Holiday Extras has some wonderful policies
in place and is committed to expanding the support
offered at the company – we would love other
business leaders to take a similar proactive approach
when discussing issues that are personal to the
workforce – the benefits are bountiful”
www.holidayextras.co.uk