ABTA LifeLine welcomes three new trustees to its Board

Following a rigorous recruitment process to appoint new Trustees to the ABTA LifeLine Board, the charity is delighted to welcome three senior figures from across the travel industry. 

Jody Rolfe, Finance Director at TUI, Lisa McAuley, Managing Director at World Travel Holdings UK and Zoe Powell, Director at Xeinadin will join the Board from 26 February 2026.

Their combined expertise and strategic insight will support the charity’s aims to expand awareness of its work – helping more people access the vital services provided by LifeLine. It will also be beneficial in strengthening fundraising and ultimately enhancing the support available to current and former employees of ABTA members—and their dependants—who are facing financial hardship or going through a difficult period in their lives. 

The charity provides practical, financial and emotional support in a time of need. Since the beginning of January LifeLine has helped travel professionals with priority bills, food and essential household items, as well as debt and benefit advice amongst other things. Nothing is too big or too small for the charity to consider. If you have ever worked for an ABTA member you would be eligible to apply for support. 

Jody Rolfe, Finance Director, TUI, said:

“I’m delighted to be joining the Board of ABTA LifeLine as a Trustee. The charity provides vital support to people across the travel industry when they need it most. I care deeply about the difference this practical support can make, and I’m proud to be able to contribute my financial experience to help ensure ABTA LifeLine can continue to develop and expand its impact.”

Lisa McAuley, Managing Director, World Travel Holdings UK Ltd, said:
“I’m truly delighted to serve as a Trustee of ABTA LifeLine. Having spent my entire career in the travel industry, I’ve seen first-hand the vital support the charity provides. It’s a small charity with a hugely positive impact. It’s an honour to give back to the community that has shaped my professional life.”

Zoe Powell, Director – Travel, Hospitality and Leisure, Xeinadin, said:
“I’m truly looking forward to joining ABTA LifeLine as a Trustee. It’s a privilege to support a charity that steps in when people in our industry need it most, and I’m excited to play my part in strengthening the fundraising and disbursements that make that support possible.”

Trudie Clements, Director of ABTA LifeLine, added:
“I am delighted to welcome three distinguished travel professionals to the LifeLine Board. Their expertise, strong reputations, and respected voices within the industry will be tremendous assets to LifeLine.”

Notes to editors

About ABTA LifeLine
ABTA LifeLine is ABTA’s charity for past and present employees of ABTA members. The charity provides support for the unexpected moments in life such as redundancy, relationship breakdown, accidents and bereavement among many other things.

It gives practical, financial and emotional assistance to travel colleagues that are really struggling, throwing them a LifeLine in their time of need.

About ABTA
ABTA is a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. We’re the largest travel trade body, with over 4,300 travel brands in membership who have a combined annual UK turnover of over £40 billion. We work closely with our members to help raise and maintain standards and build a more sustainable travel industry, and provide travellers with advice, guidance and support.

Our members sign up to a code of conduct and commit to agreed service standards and fair trading. When you need clear travel information, and accurate and impartial advice relating to your trip, we’re here for you. When you book with an ABTA member, reliable advice comes as standard. This means that booking with our members brings peace of mind.

All this together means we help you travel with confidence. www.abta.com