Northern Leaders podcast: Jennifer Atkinson

Jennifer Atkinson has legendary status in the world of travel.

She first made her name at ITC Travel Group, where she went from marketing manager to CEO, growing turnover from £40m to £90m and a £5m profit.

Now, she’s at the helm of Travel Seen, which she’s already grown to more than £20m turnover with plans to grow even further.

However, in between these two events, she’s had to contend with everything life can throw at her, including divorce, Covid, menopause and imposter syndrome.

In an incredibly honest interview she tells the Northern Leaders podcast why there are so few women in senior leadership positions and why she’s yet to find the magic formula of having it all.

Her big break came when she went to work at ITC Travel Group, initially as the marketing manager before being promoted to CEO by her mentor Drew Foster, who tragically died in 2009.

Foster is credited with pioneering luxury travel and had a huge impact on Atkinson’s life.

“He gave me belief,” she said. “I don’t need much but I need someone alongside me to say ‘you can do that’. That’s what he gave me at ITC. He really believed in me.”

Atkinson also talks about ADHD, imposter syndrome, menopause and the lack of women in senior leadership roles.