The second consecutive win for the House of Travel team who also took home the award in 2024, was made more special as a testament to the continued people-first legacy carried on by the leadership team since the retirement of founder Chris Paulsen.
Since Paulsen’s retirement, HoT’s executive team has continued to honour his leadership while shaping the company’s future.
CEO David Coombes and the executive team have worked closely with their 50-50 business partners and teams across the country, some who have been ‘Hotties’ for 25 to 30 years, to develop a three-year vision.
Coombes shared the strategy at the 770-strong national HoT conference earlier this year. Key strategies focus on attracting the best people, aligning operations and growing with a people-first approach, where employees can be their authentic selves, grow their talents, and rise without limits.
‘Recognition as the best large business at this year’s Best Places to Work Awards is a testament to our leaders across all our individual businesses and the ‘micro cultures’ they create,’ says Coombes.
‘Our ongoing commitment to building and supporting an inclusive culture is reflected in HoT’s workforce with 62% of our businesses owned by women.’