Meet The TGM Holidays Team
Nigel Read – CEO
Nigel has worked in the corporate hospitality and the group travel industry for over 40 years. In 1998 he became one of the founding partners of TGM Holidays to provide schools with a safe, secure and fun ski holiday travel option.
Having learnt to ski at the late age of 20 and developing a passion for the sport, he is currently a qualified BASI and PSIA Ski Instructor. He enjoys helping the young people on TGM trips to improve their skills.
Nigel’s family also love to ski, his 3 year old grand daughter had her first ski trip in 2018 and others in the family are now following!
Frank Towers – Director
A varied career teaching PE at one of the largest schools in Lancashire, and playing professional football in the US. Frank became one of the founding members of TGM.
A self-confessed fitness fanatic, Frank completed a trans-America bike tour in 2013 and continues to undertake long distance cycling challenges. He spends lots of time with his family who are also skiers.
He brings 20 years of experience organising school ski trip. As a teacher and PSIA ski instructor, during trips you will find him firmly crowned the après ski disco king.
Stephen McGinty – Director
Stephen has been teaching children to ski for the past 40 years. He has a passion for Alpine skiing. In a past life he was an aircraft engineer and youth worker before founding TGM with the other Directors in 1998.
Stephen’s experiences over the years have focused his attention on the customer care aspect of the business which he is passionate about.
Both Stephen and his children are qualified BASI and PSIA instructors and all work in-resort for TGM Holidays.
Keith Gillies – Director
Keith has been working in the youth sector since training as a teacher in Liverpool. He has a firm belief that outdoor and adventurous activities bring many benefits to the development of young people. Throughout his career he has encouraged young people to try skiing (amongst other outdoor activities). He has taken groups on ski trips and taught skiing for almost 40 years.
In more recent times, in addition to his work with TGM, he is a partner in a first aid training business and undertakes consultancy work with voluntary organisations. He has a lifetime involvement in Mountain Rescue where he continues to operate with the local team.
A keen sailor of small boats with friends Keith has been married for almost 40 years and has two children and two grandchildren.
Vanessa Sharples – Event Manager
After leaving University in Newcastle, Vanessa headed out to the Alps to spend time working in the resort doing photography, travel writing and completing her ski instructor qualifications, alongside being able to enjoy quality time skiing! One season Vanessa and her partner visited 50 different ski resorts!
Vanessa joined TGM Holidays as Event Manager in 2023 and thoroughly enjoys working with the team and liaising with the staff in the schools who book their school trips with us.
Oakley Pendergest – Marketing Manager
After recently graduating from the University of Sheffield studying Business Management with an Industrial Year, Oakley joined the TGM Holidays team as Marketing Manager. Oakley completed her Industrial Placement working in the Marketing team at Unilever in London where she gained a breadth of brand and digital marketing experience.
Oakley is a keen sports player who enjoys hockey and skiing since learning at the age of two and has spent many family holidays skiing in the Alps.
Anne Read – Sales Manager
Anne worked in the teaching profession for over 30 years, specialising, firstly in Physical Education. Later in her career moving into Special Needs and eventually become Head of Learning Support in one of the largest High Schools in Lancashire.
As the school party leader and having organised the annual school ski holidays, Anne loved to see a different side to the students. She felt privileged to witness them grow and develop their skills in a totally diverse environment. Anne is perfectly placed to understand what Party Leaders need for their students on ski & snowboarding and adventure holidays.
Anne enjoys travelling and has recently become keen on Nordic Walking, which is an ideal activity living on the ‘flat’ Fylde Coast. All the family have the skiing bug which makes for great family holidays!
Annette Roberts – TGM Ambassador
Annette has spent the last 39 years in education in various capacities. Starting her career as a PE teacher at Secondary level, she then became a Houseparent in a Boarding School and worked for a few years in the marketing department at the school.
Annette then re-trained for Primary teaching, working her way up into Management and Leadership where she has spent the last 13 years as Head of a Junior Independent School. Now retired from Headship, Annette continues to enjoy her love of sport – playing golf, tennis and getting out in the hills on her bike.
Over the years she has organised many school ski trips and is passionate about schools providing opportunities for children to experience activities outside of the classroom. Watching children develop socially, emotionally and personally on a school ski trip is hugely rewarding. With her experience Annette understands what it is that makes a successful ski trip for all age groups.
Annette is married and has two sons, both who enjoy their skiing.