2006 – 2008
Founding of The Group Company
The Group Company was founded in 2006 by Helen Bilton, a dedicated travel professional with 20 years of international group travel experience. Helen believed passionately in creating a company that delivered outstanding service by prioritising its people and culture. By treating all team members, clients and suppliers with respect, integrity and trust the company and its team grew quickly. Our original focus was selling discounted group accommodation on the domestic and European markets, mainly for student, sports, coaching and other budget groups – giving us access to the lowest possible prices with the key hotel chains which we have retained to this day. By 2008 the company had grown our turnover substantially and were a team of 5. We moved from our single room in a serviced office in the Yorkshire village of Boston Spa, to a suite of offices in the market town of Wetherby. Key members joined the company at this stage, including Naomi Stewart, now our Managing Director.
2008 – 2013
Continued Growth and Development
Between 2008 and 2013 The Group Company continued its growth trajectory, investing in leading tour operator software, and pivoting from the domestic market into the higher end, longer haul markets of the USA, Canada, and Australasia. Now a team of 25 we moved into central York and welcomed further key members to the team including Teresa Barker our Director of Finance, Jenny Solera our Director of Business Development, Alana Hegarty our Operations Manager, and Timothy Pacey our Purchasing Manager.
2014 – 2023
Awards & International News
Between 2014 and 2023, with the exception of the COVID years, the team grew to 45 members. We achieved highly prestigious recognition and awards, including the Queens Award for Export Achievement. We hosted many wonderful parties and events, and were the subject of international press coverage and live TV appearances following our 10th anniversary trip to Barbados in 2016.
2023 - 2025
New Premises & Celebrations
In 2023 we purchased the beautiful and historic Lendal Arches office building in central York. This building is fully owned by The Group Company and will be a perfect base for the business for many years to come. For our 18th birthday in 2024 we continued our ethos of rewarding and retaining our fabulous team and treated the whole company to a private luxury yacht charter weekend sailing around the beautiful islands of Croatia.
2025 +
Looking To The Future
2025 is proving to be another exciting year for TGC. We are delighted to have received the most prestigious business award in the United Kingdom – the Kings Award for Enterprise in International Trade 2025. We will be celebrating this award with a royal reception and a meeting with HRH King Charles in Windsor Castle. All five of those early key team members are with us to this day. They manage all aspects of the business, including Naomi Stewart who has now been Managing Director for 10 years. Our founder Helen Bilton is still with us as our Chair, focusing on ensuring our company remains true to the outstanding customer service ethos and company culture which has made it a success. We look forward to many more years of growth, adventure and close collaboration with our wonderful team, clients and suppliers
Our Core Values
To offer outstanding service to each of our clients on each occasion.
To act with integrity in all our dealings with clients, suppliers, staff and other stakeholders.
To recruit, engage, train and retain the most talented staff in the industry.
To contribute positively to the world around us. To have fun!
Testimonials
The staff were fantastic… nothing was too much trouble. Thanks so much for finding it for us… I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it
Theatre Tour Specialist
I also like both other Vienna options a lot and they’re cheaper than what we’ve been able to get direct – so let’s take the MGallery and the Trend hotel too please
UK Tour Operator
THANK YOU for everything you did to make this tour such a success! The travelers thoroughly enjoyed the tour, this tour would not have gone so well without the absolute stellar service received from The Group Company. They were all fabulous in helping to sort out specific situations on the fly. Really, really appreciated their speedy responses and resolutions to some stressful moments!! Can’t say enough about your team!!!
US Tour Operator
The team at The Group Company have been a delight to work with over the past 15+ years. They thoroughly research every aspect of a tour and provide a wealth of detail in the quotes. They offer support throughout the tour planning process, including helpful suggestions. Whether you are a new or experienced tour planner, you’ll enjoy working with this superb team
UK Tour Operator
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your excellent work. Despite the large number of rooms we booked, everything ran smoothly, without any issues, and our clients left with gratitude and satisfaction. We kindly ask that you extend our heartfelt thanks to all the employees who contributed to supporting our staff and ensuring that our guests had an enjoyable stay. Thank you very much!
European Tour Operator
Always a pleasure to work with The Group Company who have partnered with us for over 12 years. They are efficient, pro-active and knowledgeable. Team members are wonderful to work with and we look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with them for many years to come
Tour Guide
Meticulous planning coupled with an almost obsessive attention to detail, sees The Group Company stand tall amongst it’s peers. Boasting some of the best bespoke Itineraries, that I have ever had the pleasure of being part of. Thorough research aligned with enviable on-the-ground support ensures peace of mind from the get-go. The Group Company strives to ensure that all aspects of a tour is an enriching, and memorable experience. Personally, as a Freelance Tour Manager with many years experience, I consider working with The Group Company a highlight of my tour calendar