The co-founders of Designer Travel have received the Outstanding Contribution to the Industry award at the 2023 Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards.

Amanda Matthews and Karen Pocock were honoured for their achievements at the event, held in central London in association with headline sponsor Celestyal Cruises.

The Outstanding Contribution awards were sponsored by Avis and were announced by the car hire specialist’s Emily Blundy.

After collecting her award, Pocock said: “Our business has always been about our people, that was our focus from the start.”

Matthews dedicated the award to Designer Travel’s Angela Mayall following her recet death. “She was with us since the beginning and was the epitome of what we look for in a homeworker,” she said.

She added: “ We are a true travel agent. We don’t try to pretend to be anything else. We are not fairweather friends to our suppliers; everything we do is about giving back.”