Meet The Team

Karen Robertson

Managing Director

Karen has over 25 years’ experience in the travel industry with specific expertise in the tour operating sector. As part of JacTravel’s management team since 2004, Karen has built her career through the evolution of the JacTravel brand, moving to the role of Managing Director in 2018 with full responsibility across the UK, Ireland, and Europe.

Away from the office, and when not spending time with her young family, Karen can be regularly seen treading the many networks of paths throughout Edinburgh training for her latest challenge. She combines her love of running and travel to enter many endurance events throughout the globe.

Andy Uttley

Director of Sales

Andy’s wealth of travel experience began in 1994, eventually joining JacTravel 8 years’ later. Leading our Sales and Key Accounts divisions, Andy’s role focusses on the commercial development of the relationships with our existing client base as well as looking to grow it within existing and new source markets. Andy focusses on working with his team to understand the unique needs of each of our clients.

Away from the office, Andy enjoys introducing his young family to the joy of discovering new destinations around the world. He is able to combine this passion with a love of following Scotland’s sporting teams, as well as enjoying playing football, hill walking or mountain biking locally.

Paolo Cavallo

Director of Groups Operations

After coming over to London from Italy to live in 1998, Paolo eventually joined JacTravel in 2010. As our Senior Head of Operations, Paolo leads teams in Edinburgh, London and Dublin – overseeing a high quality experience to all of our visitors throughout Europe. Available around the clock, seven days a week, the Operations team are a key liaison between supplier and client.

Originally from Naples, Paolo has looked on as his city has become one of the ‘must see’ places to visit with stunning natural views such as the bay dominated by the Castel dell’Ovo, Mount Vesuvius brooding in the background.

Paolo’s top tip is to make time for a walking tour incorporating an authentic Neapolitan pizza, the main ingredients of which (basil, mozzarella and tomato) were put together in honour of the queen consort of Italy, Margherita of Savoy, to represent the colours of the national flag.

Pete Clarke

Head of Guaranteed Departures

A year spent studying abroad in Grenoble was probably the root cause of Pete’s love of travel. In times spent since he has worked extensively across Europe in operational, contracting, product and marketing roles.

Pete joined JacTravel in 2019 with a view to using his experiences to accelerate JacTravel’s growth into mainland Europe – his role also encompasses other project-based activities and the marketing function.

Away from work, Pete splits his time between his young family and a lifelong love of music and Liverpool FC. And to a significantly lesser extent he can also be found keeping fit through running, having recently completed his first half marathon.

Matthew Lepisto

Head of Sales - North America

Based in New Jersey, Matthew is our Head of Sales throughout North America – responsible for the sourcing and onboarding of all new client partnerships within his region. As such, Matthew spends a lot of his time on the road visiting clients or representing JacTravel at all of the key trade events.

A highly seasoned travel professional with over 30 years’ experience, Matthew returned to JacTravel in 2019 having previously worked with our legacy TotalStay brand where he was the Director of XML Sales.

Away from his work, Matthew can often be found aboard the ocean wave, and consequently is our resident sailing expert!

Jennifer Clark

Head of Key Accounts

As Head of Key Accounts, Jennifer leads teams in Edinburgh and London working to retain and grow our business year on year. Predominantly working with clients from our short haul markets, Jennifer’s team work on series and adhoc requests for group travel as well as tailormade FIT enquiries.

Jennifer’s journey at JacTravel began close to 20 years ago, in which time she has progressed whilst filling a variety of roles in Business Development, Operations, FIT and Account Development before her current position. A valued and loyal JacTravel expert!

Jennifer has been passionate about travel since her first school trip abroad, aged just 16. A true Italophile and fluent Italian speaker, Jennifer has travelled extensively throughout the country from the Alps to the heel of the boot falling in love with the rich variety of landscapes, food and wine.

Jennifer’s best travel tip? “Get lost! Some of the best discoveries that I have ever made were by taking a wrong turn!”

Laura Dixon

Associate Director, Contracts

Over 20 years’ experience in travel has seen Laura contract a multitude of properties in many different locations throughout Europe and further afield. It is this extensive knowledge and expertise that helps her best identify with the important nuances that meet each client’s unique needs.

Laura’s role at JacTravel sees her lead her team to focus on our accommodation suppliers in the UK and Ireland, securing market-leading rates whilst providing our partners welcome off-season trade and advance group bookings.

Full of great travelling advice, Laura recommends the Amalfi coast for it’s spectacular juxtaposition of mountains and coastline, noting “the best time to visit is outside of ‘peak’ – the weather can still be great and a day trip to Capri will be enhanced with less crowds.”

Further afield her favourite place would be Cambodia where she enjoys immersing herself in the temples. “Be sure to take incredible photos of the temple reflections in the ponds.”

Francesca Rossi

Head of Contracting – Europe

Based in our Kentish Town office in London, Francesca is our lead and go-to person for all hotel partnerships in the capital.

Prior to joining JacTravel in 2018, Francesca’s journey in travel began four years earlier – inspired by her love of meeting new people, learning about new cultures and experiencing different ways of living.

Originally from Treviso, Francesca recommends Veneto as the ideal region to first visit her homeland. In her words, “it has everything – sea, beaches, mountains, lakes, great food…there are so many beautiful places to visit aside from Venice”. She advises to always ask the locals for the best places to eat.

When not travelling, Francesca is an interior design enthusiast, with a particular love of 70s Italian and Scandi work – sometimes enjoying looking for rare pieces and old furniture to refurbish in flea markets.