TRAVEL management company Redfern has made a key appointment to support its quest to further expand its diverse client base.

The Bradford-based firm - which last year moved into larger headquarters in Little Germany - has hired Louise Hutchinson-Chambers as head of account management,who worked for travel giant Thomas Cook for nearly 25 years.

Her appointment comes as Redfern continues to invest in business development to achieve further growth.

Last year the company, which now employs 105 people, appointed Daniel Phillips as head of sales and has since increased its private sector client base, adding household names such as Holland and Barrett, Skipton Building Society and Hallmark Cards.

Mark Bowers, Redfern chief executive, said: “We are investing in the very best people to help drive Redfern forward.

“Coupled with our continual investment in technology, we are committed to ensuring our clients get the absolute best service and value from their relationship with Redfern. It’s a pleasure to welcome Louise to the Redfern team.”

Redfern books more than 12,000 rail tickets a day for more than 500 customers and handles a transaction every three seconds .It is the nominated supplier of UK travel management to the UK and Scottish governments.

Louise held several senior positions at Thomas Cook, including leading the customer legal function and a number of project management, sales and commercial roles. She has joined Redfern from niche travel lawyers, mb LAW.

Meanwhile, Bradford manufacturer Seabrook Crisps has been named a "rising star" in a national business report for its growth, performance and potential.

Seabrook,has been featured in the BDO Profit Track 100 which highlights Britain’s private companies with the fastest growing profits over their latest three years.

The tracker report credited Seabrook following its turnaround through new management and a national brand strategy, which generated £2.6 million of profits last year on sales of £27 million. The report also noted Seabrook's £35 million LDC-backed acquisition in July 2015 within the section on ‘ones to watch’.

Seabrook’s has plans to build on its UK presence, with new products in the pipeline and a strategy to move into exports.

Jonathan Bye, chief executive, said: “Featuring on the BDO Profit Track 100 report is fantastic recognition of the significant leaps the company and the brand has made to become a national brand and a major challenger within the fiercely competitive crisps category in the UK.

"This year marks an exciting new phase for the business, with new investment and board of management fuelling our ambitions for growth.”