Not Just Travel Names New Chief Financial Officer to Drive Growth

Why It Matters

Foottit’s franchise‑finance expertise equips Not Just Travel to scale operations, fund technology upgrades, and deepen its competitive edge in the homeworking travel market.

Key Takeaways

• Helen Foottit named CFO of Not Just Travel.
• Over 10 years franchise finance experience at Property Franchise Group.
• Role covers financial planning for 750+ travel consultants.
• Appointment follows record holiday sales in Jan 2026.
• Aims to fund technology, training, and expansion initiatives.

Pulse Analysis

Not Just Travel, the UK‑based homeworking travel franchise, has been on a rapid expansion trajectory, posting its strongest holiday‑sales month in January 2026 and a record‑breaking fourth quarter in 2025. The company now manages more than 750 independent consultants who sell leisure, cruise and luxury packages under the Not Just Travel and The Travel Franchise brands. To sustain this momentum, the board has turned to seasoned financial leadership, appointing Helen Foottit as chief financial officer. The firm’s revenue growth has been propelled by a hybrid model that blends online booking tools with personalized consultant outreach, attracting a younger, digitally savvy clientele.

Foottit arrives from The Property Franchise Group, where she spent over a decade supporting the CFO through multiple acquisitions and complex franchise‑model financing. An ICAEW‑qualified chartered accountant, she is known for rigorous governance, data‑driven reporting and disciplined capital allocation. Her expertise in aligning franchisor‑franchisee economics positions her to refine budgeting, improve cash‑flow visibility, and accelerate the integration of new franchise locations. Her track record includes negotiating financing packages that reduced debt ratios by 15% while supporting rapid store roll‑outs, a skill set directly applicable to Not Just Travel’s franchising ambitions.

The CFO appointment signals Not Just Travel’s intent to deepen investment in technology platforms, training programmes and support services that differentiate its network. By tightening financial controls and leveraging Foottit’s acquisition experience, the firm can pursue strategic buy‑outs and expand into untapped travel segments, challenging traditional travel agencies. Analysts view the move as a bellwether for the broader homeworking and franchise‑based travel sector, where robust finance functions are becoming a competitive advantage. With Foottit’s oversight, the company plans to launch an AI‑driven itinerary builder and a unified CRM system, initiatives expected to boost consultant productivity and increase average transaction values.