Damian O’ Grady – Managing Director

With over 25 years in the field of international tourism; from sales and marketing, to meetings and incentives, through to public relations and exhibition management, Damian provides a full complement of skills and experience to the sales & representation sector.

His background incorporates a variety of senior roles in the UK and overseas, including Sales Manager for Suncoast Representation Services (BA Holidays) in Florida and California, PR Manager, European Sales and Marketing Manager for Visit Florida, before establishing Ignite Sales and Marketing in 1997.

As Managing Director of Ignite, Damian’s key focus is to set the strategy for each account, playing a key `hands on’ role with all Ignite’s accounts. Damian has a real passion for the UK travel industry, through his wealth of contacts, expertise and understanding of the industry, Ignite are able to deliver creative sales and marketing programmes for all clients.

Sarah Parry – Sales & Marketing Manager – UK & Ireland

Sarah joined Ignite Sales and Marketing in 2008, bringing with her 8 years experience in both UK Tour Operating and Representation. Following from her BA Hons Degree in Tourism Studies in 2000, Sarah joined First Choice Holidays, where she covered a variety of product manager roles and destinations, including Commercial Manager for FC Independent Travel where she set up First Choice Attraction Tickets for the group. After 6 years, she was appointed Sales & Marketing Manager at Advantage Management Group and expanded her experience into Sales & Marketing Representation.

Representing a range of products from 6 star luxury resorts, safari camps and an international hotel chain within Southern Africa, the Indian Ocean and Middle East , Sarah brings a wealth of experience in sales and marketing, and destination knowledge having travelled extensively in the US.

Dave McKees – Account Director

David, held the role of Director Sales and Marketing Universal Parks and Resorts (EMEA) for over 12 years and as an integral part of the senior executive team. David developed and delivered a profitable and sustainable business strategy, to drive targeted sales revenue and visitation to East and West Coast USA and Spain via targeted B2B, B2C and D2C marketing programmes, encompassing strategic stakeholder partners. Developing and leading a highly motivated sales and marketing team to deliver growth for; hotel room nights, theme park attendance from EMEA. This role involved multiple reporting lines to the Vice President International Sales and Vice President Marketing for Universal Orlando Resort, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Mediterranea Spain.

David’s career commenced with Thomson Holidays and moving on to hold senior sales and marketing roles with Yugotours and Jetsave Holidays.