Communications professional Stephanie Spencer has swapped life in Toronto, Ontario (Canada), to spend a month living and working in Basingstoke, UK. Stephanie’s opportunity came as a result of a successful application to participate in Hogg Robinson Group’s (HRG’s) international exchange programme, Interchange.

Thirty-one year old Stephanie is one of 23 employees worldwide selected for this year’s scheme which was open to almost 7,000 HRG employees globally. She is spending most of her four week placement with colleagues in the Marketing & Communications department at HRG’s headquarters in Basingstoke. Stephanie will also gain additional experience from working with HRG’s online marketing team, based at the Company’s offices in Farnborough.

Commenting on her placement, Stephanie said: “I am honoured and excited to take part in the Interchange programme. It is an extraordinary opportunity to expand my knowledge of HRG and enhance my overall marketing and communications expertise as well as to be able to share best practice in both countries.

“Interchange also provides me with the fantastic prospect of meeting and getting to know all the members of the UK-based marketing team. I’ve had contact with many of them via email and telephone in the past and truly believe that knowing them personally will make a tremendous difference to our working relationships in the future.”

In addition to her work commitments, Stephanie is also able to experience a diverse range of activities during her leisure time including: a team building day at Ascot using HRG’s corporate box, a tour of Windsor Castle, a visit to London, a West End theatre show and a traditional ‘pub quiz’. 

“I am enjoying spending free time exploring England and becoming acquainted with British culture,” commented Stephanie. “My hosts have done a marvellous job of planning my itinerary and ensuring that I get the most out of this experience, giving me the opportunity to visit many new places and try new things – something that seems to be synonymous with working for HRG.”

HRG’s Interchange programme is designed to be a platform for career enhancement and personal development.  The 23 successful candidates for this year’s programme were chosen from countries as far apart as Australia and the USA; with placements throughout Europe, Asia Pacific and North America. HRG plans to extend Interchange during 2007 to include participants and placements across Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

David Radcliffe, CEO of Hogg Robinson Group, said: “As a people orientated organisation we are committed to ongoing employee development and to ensuring that our staff are able to take advantage of the international opportunities available to them. Interchange provides the perfect platform for successful participants to grow personally and professionally, taking the knowledge they gain back to their home country and sharing their experiences with colleagues worldwide.

“We are delighted to welcome Stephanie to HRG’s headquarters in the UK and will ensure that she captures some wonderful memories during her stay as well as exploring new ways of working.”

Stephanie’s Interchange placement is the second unique global opportunity she has experienced in her 7 years with HRG. In 2002, together with colleague Lorna McTavish (one of HRG’s in-house solicitors) she joined an international environmental project (Mission Antarctica) dedicated to protecting the southern continent and preserving its unique ecosystem for future generations and spent 14 days helping with the Antarctic clean-up process.

“It would have been impossible for me to be involved in these once in a lifetime opportunities without the support of HRG,” said Stephanie. “Many companies pay lip service to the opportunities available for their employees, HRG really carries them through – in the most amazing way!”

- Ends -

For further information:

Jenny Collins / Alice Mayor
Euro RSCG Biss Lancaster
Tel: +44 (0) 207 467 9200
Email: blhrg@bisslancaster.com

Laurie Waugh, Public Relations Manager
Hogg Robinson Group
Tel: + 44 (0) 1256 312 623
Email: laurie.waugh@hrgworldwide.com

Interchange Participants

HRG North America’s other Interchange participants are:

• Dawn Adams (Senior Financial Analyst) who travels from Toronto in May to spend a month with HRG Germany’s Finance Team in Cologne
• Marcos Rodriguez (Report Analyst) who last year swapped New York for a month in London with HRG Consulting.

HRG UK’s Interchange participants are:

• Vimal Gungah (MIS Business Analyst) from Farnborough who takes up a May placement with HRG North America in New York and Charlotte
• Juan-Luis Suarez (Business Travel Consultant) who next month leaves Woking for a month-long visit to HRG Jin Jiang China in Shanghai
• Kelly Bell (Section Manager) who last year changed life in London for four weeks with HRG North America’s Business Management Team in New York
• Sean Blake (Business Travel Consultant) who chose to leave Leicester in November for a month in Melbourne with HRG Australia.

A complete listing of all participants worldwide is available upon request.

About Hogg Robinson Group

Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) is the award-winning international corporate services company. Founded in 1845, HRG has over 60 years specific corporate travel expertise. Its corporate services interests include wholly-owned or majority controlled corporate travel operations in 24 of the key driver and growth markets throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and North America.  Supported by contracted partners, the HRG worldwide network extends to almost 100 countries.

Totally committed to a value offering for clients, HRG offers a comprehensive range of corporate services which includes travel management, fulfilment services and low cost transactions as well as Consulting, Expense Management, Sports and Events & Meetings Management.