The Team

Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson graduated with a degree in business studies and languages.

Her career started in the advertising industry working for a leading advertising agency as a media buyer.

She started her tourism career working for Thomson Holidays spending 5 years working overseas in Europe and Africa. She returned to the UK to lead a specialist team who managed and developed hotels working with industry experts on key areas of hotel management including F+B, entertainment and interior design.

Sarah launched the first UK office for PortAventura in the UK in 1999. As the team grew she moved to Spain to develop European sales for the then Universal Studios European theme park.

In 2004 Sarah became General Manager for a specialist culture tour operator developing their sales through traditional and non travel channels of distribution. With her broad travel, media and business experience Sarah launched Lotus UK in 2004.

Sarah is a fellow of the Institute of Travel and Tourism and is on the council for the Chartered Institute of Marketing (Travel Industry Group).

Rebecca Wilson

Rebecca Wilson began her career in the Marketing Department of TUI UK responsible for growing sales through the Lunn Poly retail network and then moving to develop TUI consumer direct sales.

She then moved to the London office of PortAventura where her remit was focused on trade marketing, and brand awareness campaigns across a variety of media.

Moving to the International Marketing Department at OctopusTravel.com, Rebecca was responsible for developing online accommodation sales through joint online and offline marketing activity with partners such as EasyJet, WizzAir, DFDS Seaways, NHS and National Express.

Rebecca is a graduate in Management Studies with French and also speaks Spanish fluently. She has undertaken post-graduate Chartered Institute of Marketing studies and is a Chartered Marketer.

Rebecca is a partner and board member of Lotus UK.

Jules Ugo

Jules Ugo started her career in live television working as a researcher and creative co-coordinator for various independent production companies in the light entertainment field. The dynamic nature of live TV prepared her for the jump into PR where she has now worked for over ten years specialising in travel and leisure.

Starting her career with niche agency WT Associates, Jules then launched the PR department of full service communications agency Promedia with responsibility for bringing in new business including PortAventura and cheapflights.co.uk.

Jules then moved to the Brighter Group directing campaigns for leading international brands including Rezidor SAS, SAGA and Malaysia Airlines and working with entrepreneur Peter de Savary on projects such as Bovey Castle and Port Louis Grenada. Within a year she became a group board member utilising her management skills, strategic insight and extensive media contacts and implementing crisis communications plans on several occasions.

After being in the business for so long Jules has established outstanding relationships with senior and influential consumer and trade media within the travel, leisure and hospitality fields and levers these relationships to Lotus’ clients benefit.

Kate McWilliams

Kate graduated in 2005 with a first class honours in International Business and Spanish.

As part of her degree, Kate spent a year working in a dynamic PR agency in Barcelona, providing her early on in her career with full exposure and involvement with various travel accounts.

Since graduating Kate has spent a substantial time working abroad and has developed an in-depth understanding of international product adaptation and cultural sensitivity.  Kate's overseas work experience includes working in a popular golfing resort in Denia where she successfully established a number of business relationships with tour operators in the UK, and working for the British Council in Chile where she perfected her Spanish and developed extensive first hand knowledge of Latin America.

Kate has worked for Lotus UK since July 2007 and in that time has developed a strong network of trade and media contacts within the travel sector.  Kate's key  responsibilities include media liaison, writing and issuing press releases and setting up and assisting press visits and travel trade visits.  Kate also assists in tactics, planning and strategy for some of Lotus UK's key tourist board accounts.

Zahara Cuenca

Zahara Cuenca recently finished her masters in Tourism Destination Management and achieved a distinction. She also completed a CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing in 2008 and graduated in 2006 with a first class honours in BA (hons) Tourism Business Management. In June 2009 Zahara won the prestigious ITT Student of the Year award.

She speaks English and Spanish and has also a basic knowledge of French, Italian, Portuguese and German. Before (and while) studying, Zahara was working in the sales and events department of a well-known British hotel chain; her duties were related to key account management, new sales and business leads, organization of fam-trips and other events. She also worked in the marketing department for a tourism villa company specialized in the Spanish market, helping to set up the online affiliate program, the creation of banners and brochures, and as the main point of contact for the company’s key partners.

Zahara joined Lotus UK in May 2009 where she is responsible for the Mice, Golf and Groups markets.

Rebecca Muenger

Rebecca started her career in 2001 working in finance at Aargauische Kantonalbank in Switzerland for three years.

After discovering her love for independent travel, Rebecca trekked through Peru and Bolivia.

She studied tourism in Switzerland and Spain. Graduating with honors in 2008, Rebecca went on to work as a Marketing Executive for Euler Hermes, a multinational insurance company in Zurich. She was employing her multilingual abilities in corporate communication, market research and event management.

Reigniting her desire for travel, Rebecca had the opportunity to work overseas for TLH Heliskiing in Canada as logistics manager. While there, she also vastly improved her backcountry snowboarding skills.

Rebecca now lives in London. She joined Lotus UK this year.

Craig Barker

Craig began his career in a sales role Mobile Phones Direct where he was responsible for delivering volume sales. Consistently exceeding high targets Craig was frequently named top salesman within the area.

Craig went on to study Marketing at Bournemouth University proving proficient at all aspects but with a growing passion for international marketing and PR.

After moving to London, Craig began customer service work at TDM Group, a reputable web-hosting and IT support company. Within TDM, Craig moved to the marketing department in which he gained experience in traditional as well as more modern methods of marketing.

Within Lotus Craig is responsible for online campaign development including Web 2.0, social networking and search engine marketing. He also tends assistance to accounts on both the PR and representation sides.

Laura Marchesi

Born in Turin in 1962, Laura graduated with honours from Santa Barbara University of California with a Bachelor in Business Economics with a specialization in Media Relations.

Laura Marchesi started her career working in her demanding family business managing the administration of imports and distribution, PR and international events, activities that allowed her to travel around the word from an early age.

Laura co founded Adam Integrated Communications in 1994. Together with Vittoria Chiappero, she is the first point of reference for all clients who include the largest brands in tourism. The award winning agency has expanded with offices in Turin and Milan. The 25 strong team offers expertise in PR, graphic design, tourism strategy and representation.

As a member of the Lotus UK board, Laura offers financial planning and control to the business and to clients managing budgets through strict controls allowing us to maximise resources at all times.

She speaks English, French and Spanish. She is a golf enthusiast and a mother of three.