Our Team
Introducing the team at Gilpin Travel - highly experienced in Corporate and Business travel management, events, Conferences, incentives and Group travel.
Our team of highly experienced travel agents and travel professionals focus on delivering educated professional service with a smile and are backed with state-of-the-art technology offering multi channel online self booking options.
We look to work with people full of spirit, integrity and passion - because these qualities you simply can't teach.
Keith Sumner
Director/Owner
Keith brings a wealth of commercial experience to Gilpin Travel, having worked for large multinationals such as Newscorp, Carter Holt Harvey and Heinz before deciding that business ownership was his real goal. Also a graduate of the Icehouse Owner Manager programme Keith works full time in and on the business. Keith’s real passion is to develop his team and to ensure that clients are receiving the very best results they can from Gilpin Travel’s expertise. Keith is often called upon as a well respected travel provider to comment on the industry and is known as a knowledgeable and open source of information.
Lisa Sumner
Finance Director/Owner
Lisa formerly lectured at Manukau Polytechnic and was previously a business analyst with Datacom and Digital and a consultant with Peat Marwick. Lisa’s wealth of experience, both in and out of the travel industry, is invaluable when auditing client processes. If cost, time and resource savings are there, she will find them.
Grant Avis
Operations Manager
Not your run of the mill consultant. Grant has been with Gilpin Travel since 1995, where he began as a domestic consultant. After 15 years he has progressed to managing all of the consultants and becoming Gilpin travels online expert. Grant has worked in the corporate travel industry in both the UK and New Zealand and is not afraid to throw his hand to anything. He is our resident ‘jack of all trade’s and works to ensure all our clients’ needs are looked after. Grant is a graduate of The Icehouse’s Senior Manager Programme.
Tanya Dustin
Sales Manager
With over 23 years working in the tourism and travel industry, across airline, travel management and hospitality, Tanya brings exceptional depth of knowledge and understanding of client needs to her role as senior account manager. Tanya is adept at budget management, travel policy compliance, training, mentoring, contract negotiation and benchmarking as well as offering clients strategic and analytical insights to improve their business. A seasoned traveller herself with a passion for cooking, renovation and design you can be sure with her quirky sense of humour you’ll have some fun along the way!
Leanne Kennedy
Sales Analyst
Growing up with her dad living in countries like China and Thailand, it caught on early that travel was a passion. Leanne is inquisitive, enjoys problem solving and making a difference. Her aspiration is to become an account manager in the world of travel.
Katy Juretich
Finance Assistant
With having over 20 years in the travel industry as a travel consultant and assisting in travel finance areas, Katy has seen a lot of changes in her time. She has currently been with Gilpin Travel for the past 5 years assisting Lisa in the Finance Area. Her interests include travelling, gym, family life and sunny weekends!!
Nicola Daverne
Operations Assistant
Nicola has worked for Gilpin Travel as a corporate consultant and has recently returned after living in Canada. She is currently studying for a degree in Early Childhood Education and works for Gilpin part time assisting Operations.
Sophie Kilgour
Account Manager
Sophie has had adventures in Hong Kong, Thailand, Macau, Singapore, France, Italy, Spain, Monaco, Turkey, Croatia, Greece, UK, Australia, USA, Mexico, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia just to name a few and not to forget her number one passion for cruising! Working in Gilpin’s Conference and Incentive department she has managed both inbound and off-shore conference and incentive groups. Whether you require assistance with an off-shore incentive with an edge or a corporate dinner Sophie’s ultimate goal is to not only deliver to her clients needs but to always go the extra mile!
Michelle Hayward
Account Manager
Michelle has worked in retail travel for the past five years and has recently joined Gilpin Travel in our Conference and Incentive Department. New challenges are what Michelle is about which has seen her travel extensively and move from retail travel into events. She is passionate about all she does and is a mum to her 10 years old son Jakob.
Penny Snell
Corporate Team Leader
Penny has worked her way up through the industry and is now Corporate Team Leader, managing a team of six consultants. She has travelled extensively and has a real passion for travel. Penny conducts regular performance appraisals with her team ensuring Gilpin Travel can measure growth within the team.
Erin King
Corporate Consultant
Erin completed a Diploma in Travel in Tourism and has worked in the travel industry for over 12 ½ years. A seasoned traveller herself, Erin brings a wealth of experience to the role of International Consultant and has travelled extensively through Europe, Australia, parts of Asia North America, South Pacific and Dubai.
Alana Pepper
Corporate Consultant
After working at Gilpin Travel for a number of years as a corporate consultant, Alana decided it was time to do the big OE and has travelled through Europe, USA, Asia and the South Pacific. Returning back to New Zealand she furthered her career in the retail travel industry and has recently rejoined Gilpin Travel bringing with her a renewed energy & experience.
Catherine Matthews
Corporate Consultant
Catherine joined Gilpin Travel in late 2005 after completing her studies with Travel Careers and Training, where she gained her Diploma in Travel and Tourism. Catherine manages domestic and Trans Tasman travel for a number of Gilpin’s key accounts, is passionate about her work and just loves being a mum!
Toni Williams
Corporate Consultant
After gaining her Certificate from Travel Careers and Training Toni joined Gilpin Travel 12 months ago. Toni has travelled through England, Scotland, Canada and Australia and a proud mum to her six year old son Casper.
Sarita Manu
Corporate Consultant
Sarita completed her travel course in 2006 and has lived in the Gold Coast. Working in the industry has enabled Sarita to meet new people and develop her confidence. Sarita likes to challenge herself and has done this by Bungeying off the Harbour Bridge and Zorbing in Rotorua.
Debbie
Leisure Consultant
After living in the UK Debbie returned to New Zealand to complete a Diploma in Travel and Tourism. She has 22 years experience in travel working in Retail, Airline, and Wholesaler Travel. She has also travelled extensively throughout Europe, USA, Asia and the South Pacific.
Warwick Osborne
Broker
Warwick has worked in travel for many years, and has a wide knowledge of the travel industry. He was the Managing Director of Travel Consultants Ltd and a Director of Network Travel following the merger of the two companies.
Mike Coleman
Broker
Since joining the travel industry Mike has travelled extensively visiting most countries in the world with the exception of South America. Mike previously owned The Parnell Travel Company and is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Travel (MNZITT). He has served on the board of directors of a number of travel associated company’s over the years.
Tatiana Sergeeva
Broker
With over 20 year’s experience, Tatiana specialises in travel to Russia and forma USSR countries. For all your flight, accommodation, tours and Trans Siberian Railway trips look no further. Tatiana is your Lady!
