I’m Interested…

Meet The Team

As a privately owned and run business, established in Barnsley back in 1971, our team members are our strength. Passionate, knowledgeable and experienced, they are one of the main reasons that we have many, many repeat clients… some for over 40 years!

North America Travel Service is lucky to have longevity of service. Our team love to travel, whether on their own holidays or on familiarisation trips, and love to share their experiences.

Time and again, we are referred to as ‘The NATS Family’ – and that is in essence what we are, with many working together for over twenty years. We have the mad uncle, fussy grandma, naughty cousin and all the quirks of a disfunctional family! Meet the team and see for yourself.

Ruby Briggs

  • Position within NATS: Managing Director.
  • When did you join NATS: 1976
  • Favourite USA destination and why: Grand Canyon.  So many hiking routes to explore and the scenery is mesmerising.
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: Vancouver. A vibrant city with so many contrasts, from the Pacific ocean to the mountains.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Whitewater rafting on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet:  Oregon.
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Play golf, experiencing new restaurants and gins!
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: That would be telling!!! 😊
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Judi Dench.
  • What is your pet hate: Inefficiency!
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: I just love food so anything at all, enjoyed with good friends.

Yvonne Spencer

  • Position within NATS: Leisure Sales Director.
  • When did you join NATS: 1989
  • Favourite USA destination and why: New York City is my second home. I lived just outside New York for a year and spent weekends in the city. It really never sleeps and has lots to offer for people of all ages. 
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: Lake Louise – the lake and scenery is breathtaking.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Bear watching in Alaska.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet: New Orleans.
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Live music, football and travelling.
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I sat next to Alison Moyet on a flight to Los Angeles.
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: I would want an Academy Award so it would have to be Helen Mirren.
  • What is your pet hate: Poor customer service and drivers that don’t indicate.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Sunday roast.

Brendan Macdonagh

  • Position within NATS: Team Leader (Agency Sales).
  • When did you join NATS: 2006
  • Favourite USA destination and why: Southern Utah Parks. Great scenery, great hikes and great weather.
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: Yukon. Great scenery, great wildlife and great history.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Snowmobiling in winter at Chena Hot Springs, Alaska.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had chance to yet: New Mexico.
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Hiking, travelling to new places and following most sports.
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I quite like ironing.
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Colin Farrell.
  • What is your pet hate: People who faff about/are indecisive. And littering. Actually quite a lot of things!
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Chinese crispy duck pancakes.

Lindsay Smith

  • Position within NATS: Senior Travel Consultant (Agency Sales).
  • When did you join NATS: 2000
  • Favourite USA destination and why: Las Vegas because I got married there!
  • Favourite Canadian destination: Vancouver.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Snorkel with Manta Rays in Hawaii.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet: Oregon.
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Movies and socialising!
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I have a tattoo.
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life:  Amy Schumer.
  • What is your pet hate: Middle lane drivers on the motorway & littering.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: My mum’s meat & potato pie!

Jenny Baum

  • Position within NATS: Senior Travel Consultant.
  • When did you join NATS: 2002
  • Favourite USA destination and why: Nashville – The coolest city in the USA.
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: Vancouver, a world-class city with the ocean attached.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Ranching in Tucson @ the White Stallion Ranch and hot air ballooning over Phoenix.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet: Colorado.
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): I love skiing when I get the opportunity, socialising with friends, and spending time with my family. 
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I was a high school gymnastic champion.
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Sally Phillips.
  • What is your pet hate: People chomping loudly and rustling crisp packets.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: King scallops from Cicchetti Restaurant in London.

Janine Bailey-Hague

  • Position within NATS: Senior Travel Consultant (Agency Sales).
  • When did you join NATS: 2003
  • Favourite USA destination and why: New York, my husband proposed to me in Times Square and we got married in Central Park so I would be in trouble if I said anywhere else! Although there are lots of other favourite places too … Charleston, Savannah and Carmel by the Sea to name a few.
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: Vancouver Island. I visited here when I was a child I still remember the fantastic camping trip with my Mum and Auntie.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Best experience has to be a tandem Sea Kayaking excursion with my son Noah in Santa Barbara, paddling alongside dolphins and sealions was truly amazing even if Noah’s paddling skills meant that I nearly drowned. Every time he paddled I got a face full of water!
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet: Niagara Falls –to do the famous Maid of the Mist and then onto Algonquin National Park to stay in a wilderness lodge retreat.
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Go on holiday or anything that gets me out of housework.
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I’m scared of heights and edges.
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Sandra Bullock – only because I love all of the movies she is in not because I think I look like her.
  • What is your pet hate: When people walk slowly as I’m always in a rush and running late.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Salmon – great for breakfast, lunch and dinner, I think I actually eat it most days already.

Dawn Ramsey

  • Position within NATS: Senior Travel Consultant (Agency Sales).
  • When did you join NATS: 2008
  • Favourite USA destination and why: Nashville as I love live music and also music history.
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: Victoria, BC as it has a lovely laid back small city atmosphere.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Ziplining through the Californian Redwoods.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet: Utah.
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Watching live music, photography, travelling, supporting Sheffield Wednesday.
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: My favourite band is The Dunwells from Leeds and I am in two of their music videos!
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Jane McDonald – I can’t sing but I am proud of being a Yorkshire lass and have spent many years cruising the world!
  • What is your pet hate: Making a telephone call and getting the engaged signal.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Roast lamb dinner with Yorkshire puddings.

Andy Abbs

  • Position within NATS: Senior Travel Consultant (Agency Sales).
  • When did you join NATS: 1997
  • Favourite USA destination and why: Palm Springs due to the summer dry desert heat and indeed great year-round weather & fantastic scenery
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: Toronto in the Winter, enjoying shopping using the underground walkways.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Rattle snake & scorpion spotting in Borrego Springs, California at dusk.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet: The Yukon
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Playing tennis and following my home town team, Rotherham United.
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I was a former Soccer Referee in South Yorkshire, Manchester & Cheshire from 1976 until 1993
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Tom Hardy
  • What is your pet hate: Scripted Reality TV
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Chicken Dopiaza

Steve Blackburn

  • Position within NATS:  Manager (Retail Division).
  • When did you join NATS: 1987
  • Favourite USA destination and why: Oregon – Small town , old time America. Stunning coastal scenery along the Pacific Ocean. The snow capped peaks of the Cascade Mountains are a back drop to the high desert region of Central Oregon – where the mountain western style town of Sisters is a good base to explore.
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: Sonora Resort, a luxury wilderness and eco adventure destination located in the heart of the Discovery Island archipelago on the rugged West coast of British Columbia. Accessible by helicopter, seaplane or private water taxi. The Relais & Chateaux managed boutique hotel offers gourmet dining in a stunning location.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: The first sight of the Grand Canyon from a helicopter, which skimmed the tree tops over the desert, before yielding the chasm below and beyond.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had chance to yet: Quebec City.
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Season ticket holder at Leeds Rhinos Rugby League. Cycling.
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: je parle un peu francais. J’apprends a parler francais.
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Bruce Willis (a gradual loss of hair as the years roll on).
  • What is your pet hate: Wigan Warriors defeating Leeds Rhinos.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Curry.

Daniel Corbridge

  • Position within NATS: Senior Travel Consultant (Retail Division).
  • When did you join NATS: 2012
  • Favourite USA destination and why: California, because it has something for everyone. Great cities and  amazing outdoor spaces.
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: Muskoka Lakes, beautiful scenery with fantastic outdoor activities.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Whale Watching in Monterey Bay and helicopter ride over Niagara Falls.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet: Canadian Rockies.
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Open water swimming.
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I’ve never been on a motorbike.
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Tom Hanks.
  • What is your pet hate: Politics.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Pizza.

Joanna Hewlett

  • Position within NATS: Senior Travel Consultant (Retail Division).
  • When did you join NATS: 1997
  • Favourite USA destination and why: Canyonlands in Utah which is home to five National Parks. The scenery and diversity of the NP’s are awe-inspiring
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: Travelling through the Rockies onboard the Rocky Mountaineer.  
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Heli-Hiking in the Cariboos.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet: The Carolinas.
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): I love finding new and interesting walking routes.
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I have jumped out of an aeroplane and loved it.
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Reece Witherspoon.
  • What is your pet hate: Untidy people.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Pasta…so much choice!

Nicky Buckley

  • Position within NATS: Senior Travel Consultant (Retail Divison).
  • When did you join NATS: 1992
  • Favourite USA destination and why: Arizona for stunning desert scenery and luxury resorts.
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: Vancouver for its many attractions and relaxed vibe.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: White water rafting in West Virginia.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had chance to yet: Zion and Bryce National Parks in Utah.
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Walking with the kids.
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I played classical guitar at school.
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Reese Witherspoon, but realistically Judy Dench.
  • What is your pet hate: Lateness.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Pizza.

Victoria Culling

  • Position within NATS: Business Development Manager.
  • When did you join NATS: 2014
  • Favourite USA destination and why: New Orleans – how vibrant and laid back it is plus live music everywhere. I like a place where anything goes and it’s got everything.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Went to see the New York Knicks play basketball on Christmas day in New York – that was pretty special.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet: Utah!
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Live music and going to the cinema are my favourite things to do.
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I can play the saxophone.
  • What is your pet hate: arrogance and animal cruelty.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Thai food – all of it.

Chris Price

  • Position within NATS: Business Development Manager – South
  • When did you join NATS: 1991 & 2024
  • Favourite USA destination and why: Joint second go to NYC & the SFO Bay area, but having lived and worked in Colorado for a year, it takes my top spot. Spectacular scenery and phenomenal activities year round ..not just world-class skiing in winter.
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: “Tuh-ronno” as the locals call it. Brilliant cosmopolitan city,  great sight-seeing, sport, music, food, shopping and fun. Love Alberta and BC too!
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Watching John Elway lead “my” Denver Broncos to victory at Mile High Stadium for my 21st birthday.. joint winner with teaching my daughter to ski near “Tuh-ronno”.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet: 19 states to go…. hopefully the Deep South or Wyoming next
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Live music, live sports, the beach, shopping and any excuse for a cider whilst in shorts!
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I turned down going on Blind Date at the last minute.
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: John Cusack, or Matthew Broderick if John turns it down (Save Ferris!) 
  • What is your pet hate: Poor service.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Pizza, especially if it was from Beau Jo’s on I-70… you order it by weight and can have honey on the crust for dessert.

Wendy Donne

  • Position within NATS: Senior Travel Consultant (Retail Division)
  • When did you join NATS: 2018
  • Favourite USA destination and why: California – I love the diversity; cities, beaches, mountains and national parks.
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: Whistler – just love the mountains, the scenery and the stunning drive from Vancouver.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Privileged to have had so many experiences, but a sunrise light aircraft flight over Camelback Mountain and the desert from Scottsdale was pretty special.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet: Hawaii – would love to explore the Islands.
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Horses, walking my dog and cake making.
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I entered a football competition live on Capital Radio, and won an afternoon with David Beckham – I even got a couple of kisses from him!
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Nicole Kidman.
  • What is your pet hate: Any form of animal cruelty/abuse and ironing.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Steak, chips and onion rings.

Joanne Winteridge

  • Position within NATS: Administration and Ticketing.
  • When did you join NATS: 2007
  • Favourite USA destination: New York.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada:  Getting to visit the Empire State Building.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet: Maldives.
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Relaxing.
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Olivia Coleman.
  • What is your pet hate: People who leave bags on the seats on the train so others cannot sit down.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Fish and chips.

Lottie Anischenko

  • Position within NATS: Administration and Ticketing.
  • When did you join NATS: 2022
  • Favourite USA destination and why: California! It has everything: cities, beaches, mountains, redwoods, perfect weather, In-N-Out Burger, and Disneyland!
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: I haven’t been to Canada yet, but I’ll visit anywhere that has an NHL team…
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Eloped in Las Vegas! It was Valentine’s Day and our officiant was a drag king Elvis. 
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet: Too many places! Yellowstone National Park, Graceland, Salem, Savannah. Plus anywhere I can watch a rodeo!
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Reading, cooking, travelling, getting tattooed and visiting as many vintage analogue photobooths as I can!
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: The Happy Birthday song activates my fight or flight response.
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Titanic-era Kate Winslet.
  • What is your pet hate: Slow walkers, social media oversharers, and people who have their phones on full volume on the bus.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Chicken caesar salad, a side of fries, and a Diet Coke. 

Karen Farrar

  • Position within NATS: Product & Marketing Manager.
  • When did you join NATS: 1998
  • Favourite USA destination and why: Can I have two? Oregon because I love the great outdoors and this state has it in abundance – coast, wilderness, national parks. Utah because of the breathtaking Canyonlands. Oh, make that three – Wyoming for Grand Tetons and Yellowstone!
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: Another tough one. Ontario for its diversity – great cities and landmark attractions, but also very beautiful – especially the Georgian Bay and Muskoka Lakes regions. British Columbia, particularly the northern coastal regions for the wildlife and kayaking. I have to include Manitoba for the polar bears.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: I’ve been very lucky and had some amazing experiences. Seeing Kermode/Spirit bear (the white ones) and Grizzlies in the Great Bear Rainforest with Marvin the Bear Man (what he doesn’t know about those bears isn’t worth knowing!). Free roam horse riding in Montana was pretty special too.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had chance to yet: I’d like to visit all 50 US states. Kentucky is next on my list, but I’ve still a few others to visit too
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): I’m an outdoors girl and love to be out in natural surroundings. I have a Labradoodle so I do a lot of walking. I have a passion for animals and conservation. 
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I love to draw.
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Kate Winslet… when she’s a bit older and more haggard!
  • What is your pet hate: Bad and rude drivers.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Mum’s Sunday roast dinner.

Damian Hayward

  • Position within NATS: Product & Marketing Assistant.
  • When did you join NATS: 2018
  • Favourite USA destination and why: Texas, it was my first experience in America and the diversity of the state blew me away.
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: British Columbia, where you can see the bears in their natural habitat.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Met a real-life astronaut at the Houston Space Station in Texas.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet: Everywhere in the US and Canada but if I had to choose one, it would be Utah.
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Visit theme parks with the family.
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I was college champion at ping pong.
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Peter Kay or Brad Pitt.
  • What is your pet hate: People who are consistently late every day.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Sausages, sausages and more sausages!

Mark Standage

  • Position within NATS: Manager, Automation Development.
  • When did you join NATS: 1990
  • Favourite USA destination and why: Hawaii due to the climate, stunning scenery and relaxed culture.
  • Favourite Canadian destination and why: Vancouver. A great city on the edge of the Mountains and Sea.
  • What was the best activity you did on holiday in the USA or Canada: Hard to decide but possibly Whale watching in Maui.
  • Where would you like to visit that you haven’t had a chance to yet:  In the USA it would be Monument Valley. Worldwide, I’d say Peru.
  • What do you like to do outside of work (hobbies & interests): Photography, trains, Leeds United, real ale, badminton, gardening, ancient history and travelling of course!
  • What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I used to play the flute in an Orchestra in my youth.
  • Who would play you in a movie about your life: Gary Oldman.
  • What is your pet hate: Bullies.
  • If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Spicy Korean Chicken.

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We appreciate that you all lead busy lives so we are happy to chat through your holiday plans either by telephone or email or, we would happily arrange a face-to-face meeting in our private office suite here in Leeds or in your home or office at a time/date convenient to you. We could also set up a video-meeting if that's your preference. A tailored holiday itinerary to suit your requirements can be complex so face-to-face discussions are often advantageous.

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  • North America Travel Service
  • The Kennedy Building,
    48 Victoria Road,
    Leeds, LS11 5AF
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