ITC Staff Profiles

Karen Houston - Director

Karen has an extensive background in international tourism, starting out as a tour guide and overseas agent in Spain and North Africa, before taking up a UK based position as Regional Trainer for Thomson Holidays, Europe's largest tour operator. Over the following 15 years Karen progressed to Reservations Manager and Regional Manager before taking up the post of General Manager based in London.

A career move back into training and education for the travel and tourism industries led to the setup of her own training consultancy business. Operating in the UK and Europe Karen gained extensive experience and qualifications as a professional adult educator.

After moving to New Zealand Karen set up the College in 1996 with other business professionals. Founded on principles of business excellence the College continues to attract quality staff and students seeking the best that New Zealand industry training can offer. Karen is now Director and owner of the College and a leading spokesperson for the industry.

Kerry Priestley - Campus Manager-Academic

Kerry Priestley has been with International Travel College since its inception, and as the Campus Manager-Academic has the overall responsibility for the academic side of the college. Kerry manages the academic team at the College and oversees the monitoring of the academic achievement and attendance of all the students.

Kerry has an extensive background in travel and tourism having worked in the industry for over 15 years. Initially he started working for a large retail chain based in Auckland. Later he was transferred to their London Office to help with the travel arrangements of their passengers arriving from New Zealand. Whilst in London he also spent time with one of the UK's leading camping tour operators.

On return to New Zealand he moved into the wholesale and marketing areas of travel and tourism and travelled around New Zealand extensively putting on audio visual presentations. He also became very involved in training and it was a logical step to move into travel and tourism training as a full time career. Kerry still maintains a passion for the industry and travelling and tries to get one overseas trip in every year.

Claire Huxley - Marketing Manager

Originally from the UK, Claire has a background in international tourism, starting in reservations for Europe's largest tour operator. Several years experience working in retail travel in a managerial role Claire developed her skills in marketing. This resulted in her working for the UK's largest direct marketing organisation, where she worked with the travel and tourism industry to develop cohesive marketing strategies.

In 2002, Claire and her husband emigrated to New Zealand. She has travelled extensively throughout Europe, Caribbean, New Zealand and Australia. She still has a passion for the travel and tourism industry and loves to travel (and talk about it!).

"I really love seeing the students progress from high school to ITC and then go out to into the industry, it's why we all do what we do!" "Life is too short to have a boring office job, so I know that our students are making the right choice!"

Michelle Chatfield - Campus Manager-Recruitment

After leaving Epsom Girls Grammar many moons ago she attended Auckland University, where she studied psychology and education. Having never travelled before she decided to go to Australia for a 3 month backpacking trip. For the next seven years she explored her way throughout the UK and Europe, and worked in various areas of the hospitality industry.

Her passion for cooking led her to train as a chef but she realised that indeed she was a people person and moved into frontline roles in Hotels and Customer Service Management.

Michelle has been at the College since 1999 and has worked in various roles in the Marketing department. ‘I love my job!’ ‘I never have two days the same.’ ‘Being involved with students at high school level then seeing them come through the College, and then go into the travel and tourism industry is so rewarding!'

Kirsten Leith - Campus Manager at Botany

Kirsten joined ITC in 2002, originally as a Travel and Tourism Tutor. Kirstens’ background includes educational travel, hospitality and recruitment.  Her appointment to Campus Manager reflects her passion for the industry, and her students, who she loves to see succeed in their courses and move into careers in the industry.

Kirsten has qualifications in travel, tourism and HR. Students at the ITC Botany Campus benefit enormously from Kirsten's variety of experience, knowledge of the industry and outstanding communication skills.

“I’ve always been hugely passionate about education” says Kirsten, whose first industry job involved sending high school students on international educational exchange programmes. “I’ve spent much of my career dealing with school students, teachers and parents and I enjoy every moment of it!”

Jill Quigley - Distance Learning Manager

Since joining ITC in February 1997, Jill has enjoyed a variety of roles through which she has gained a solid and in-depth understanding of all the college operations. As the College’s Distance Learning Manager, Jill has a way of communicating with students that helps them to get the best out of their studies and to achieve the available academic and career rewards.

With 15 years’ experience in the travel industry in both New Zealand and Canada, including work in wholesale, retail, corporate and airline, Jill has a broad knowledge of the industry, and a number of funny stories to tell.

Jill is creative and energetic, with a deep passion for success – her own, ITC’s and particularly that of her students.

Outside of working hours Jill is kept busy by her active school-age son, gardening, horse riding, and anything Star Trek!

Ceri Jenkins - Sales Executive

Ceri Jenkins joined the ITC team in August 2007. He has a wealth of sales experience, expertise, and knowledge of the Travel & Tourism Industry and Education Sector. He comes to this new role from Stray where he was responsible for and successful in sales growth, agency partnerships and training.

His key tasks are to maximise sales and growth of ITC services and products and to market and enhance the College profile within secondary schools and industry networks.

“I joined ITC and within my first week, we were winning awards!” said Ceri. “I have already made lots of contacts within the industry, who are keen to work with ITC. The response to date from a variety of sectors of the industry has been overwhelming, there is obviously a real desire to engage with premier educators such as ITC. Increased industry engagement will only enhance student employment options when they graduate” he said.