Staff Profiles

Claire Huxley - Chief Executive
Claire is the owner of ITC, originally from the UK she 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 and she joined ITC as the Marketing Manager. 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!”

Karen Houston - Founder and Consultant
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 a leading spokesperson for the industry.

Ceri Jenkins - Key Stakeholder Manager
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 came to this 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.

Michelle Chatfield - City Campus Manager
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 five 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 Management roles within ITC.
“I love my job!  I never have two days the same.  Running our fantastic ITC team day to day to ensure we motivate and inspire students to succeed in an industry that we are all passionate about is so rewarding!”

Andrew Houston - Botany Campus Manager
Andy grew up with a love of travel that he followed into studying Tourism and International Business at AUT.  After having the opportunity to travel extensively and work overseas in the UK, he returned to Aotearoa to work for Air New Zealand.  Over the next 13 years he gained experience working in a variety of roles, before moving on to take up opportunities with Aviation Security and Flight Centre.
“In all of my different roles, I noticed that the task I enjoyed most was training and coaching work colleagues to improve their own skills and abilities” he said.
This led him to join ITC as a tutor in 2016.  Since that time, he has been delivering the full range of ITC courses and mentoring students at the Botany campus.  Over time he progressed in to management as a tutorial team leader and is now our Botany Campus manager.
“I feel so lucky to be able to help our awesome students begin their own exciting journeys into the worlds greatest industry.”

Melissa Jenkins - Marketing Manager
Mel has worked for ITC since 2012 and is known in Secondary Schools in New Zealand for the delivery of our very popular Short Courses.  After taking tourism at Manurewa High School she realised it was her dream to work in the Airline industry.  After working part time at Woolworths Supermarket and studying the International Certificate in Tourism & Travel she gained her dream job with Air New Zealand which became her employer for the next 10 years.
When Mel joined the ITC team she soon became known for partaking in some incredible adrenaline filled activities.  If it wasn’t jumping off the Harbour Bridge Bungy on ITC’s Adventure Short Course or out of a plane at 16,500 ft it was running the worlds highest marathon from Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
Mel’s role at ITC developed over time from Short Course Tutor, Tourism Education Team Leader to our Domestic Marketing Manager.  The passion she has for the industry and experience in education has lead to many opportunities for our students.  “I’m always willing to take on a challenge or adventure.  You can’t possibly make diamonds without a little pressure” say’s Mel.