LogoLogo Light
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
  • OUR SERVICES
  • BLOG
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
  • OUR SERVICES
  • BLOG
  • Contact Us

Blog

  • You are here:
  • Home
  • Start-up In The Spotlight | Interview With Neil Thomson of The Visa Team
Blog Image
In The Spotlight

Start-up In The Spotlight | Interview With Neil Thomson of The Visa Team

  • Posted by ABFiftyone

Neil has worked on both supplier side and client side of the business travel sector for over 24 years. After leaving Cults Academy, he went straight into working with a business travel management company, where he would arrange all aspects of a company’s travel from flights and accommodation through to any visa requirements. After 12 years’ service, Neil moved over to the client side and worked as the global crewing manager for Subsea 7, looking after the travel arrangements for thousands of staff and contractors alike. However, after 12 years in this position Neil was made redundant in August 2015 when the energy downturn saw thousands of oil & gas workers lose their jobs in Aberdeen.

Not to be beaten, Neil recognised the industry’s efficiency overhaul and spied a gap in the market to offer a more personal service to those needing travel and visa advice in the offshore and marine industries. Given his background and experience, this led naturally to setting up global business visa company, The Visa Team.

With offices in Aberdeen, Glasgow and London, The Visa team works to streamline the entire process of mobilising staff around the world. By using over 50 partners worldwide and a unique tracker system, Neil and the team can provide clients with a fully transparent service allowing them to operate and report more efficiently and in turn reduce costs associated with sending workers around the globe.

Was starting your own company something you always dreamed of?

Absolutely, I always wanted to work for myself. That being said, I would have never left the security of my job in oil & gas to do it. So, if it hadn’t have been for the circumstances I was faced with, I may never have actually taken the leap.

What is a typical day like at The Visa Team?

First thing is to make sure all our existing clients are serviced and maintained by talking regularly with our London office, where most of our operational side of the business is carried out. We constantly keep ourselves and any clients aware of travel implications and alerts at all times. Once that has been taken care of we can then get to work on the strategic side of the business and address any business development aims.

What has been your biggest challenge to overcome?

The biggest challenge is having the belief and determination to not only take the first step, but continue through the initial stages of set-up. Having an investor who is a very successful businessman and mentor, really helped encourage me through the early stages.

What is the most rewarding thing about what you do?

Knowing that we excelled on expectation and hearing about the delivered efficiency that we have provided to the client…streamlining a process for them and making what they do that bit easier to manage.

If you could give anyone starting up one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don’t give up, but most importantly, keep overheads as low as possible and believe in yourself.

What does the future hold for The Visa Team?

We are opening an office in Dubai shortly and working towards branching out in Poland and Singapore by the middle of next year. We aim to continue our global expansion and we’re looking to have a presence in Houston, possibly in Australia and India too.

Share this:

  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit

Previous Post

Meet The Blogger | Interview With Claire Jessiman of Foodie Quine

Next Post

Get More From Your Blogger Outreach
0 comments on Start-up In The Spotlight | Interview With Neil Thomson of The Visa Team

Post a comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Posts
  • gin-bothy-kimStart-up In The Spotlight | Interview With Kim Cameron of The Gin Bothy
  • Westholme Interiors Nikki-Brown-Start-up In The Spotlight | Interview With Nikki Brown of Westholme Interiors
  • What are bloggers and why should you work with themGet More From Your Blogger Outreach
  • Neil Thomson The Visa TeamStart-up In The Spotlight | Interview With Neil Thomson of The Visa Team
  • Interview With Claire Jessiman Foodie QuineMeet The Blogger | Interview With Claire Jessiman of Foodie Quine
Categories
  • Blogger Outreach
  • Content Marketing
  • Digital Marketing
  • In The Spotlight
  • Meet The Blogger
  • Social Media
Scroll

AB Fiftyone logo

AB Fiftyone is a creative sales & marketing company in Aberdeenshire. We offer expert sales & marketing support to companies ready to take that next growth step.

Our Creative Hub
The Bothy
Hillcroft
Bograxie
Inverurie
AB51 5LD
0755 7911 214
hello@abfiftyone.com
Latest Posts
  • gin-bothy-kimStart-up In The Spotlight | Interview With Kim Cameron of The Gin Bothy
  • Westholme Interiors Nikki-Brown-Start-up In The Spotlight | Interview With Nikki Brown of Westholme Interiors
  • What are bloggers and why should you work with themGet More From Your Blogger Outreach
AB Fiftyone Ltd © 2018 / Company Registration No: SC539921