Irene Hays


Irene Hays is a British businesswoman and former civil servant, and the chair of Hays Travel, the largest independent travel agent in the UK, which she owns with her husband John Hays.

Early life

She was born Irene Lucas in Newcastle upon Tyne on 4 February 1954, the daughter of Vincent and Isabelle Lucas.

Career

Hays worked in local government, rising to chief executive of South Tyneside Council and Sunderland City Council. She was later an advisor to Ministers and Secretaries of State in Whitehall, and a Permanent Secretary.
In 1980, her husband John founded Hays Travel in the back of his mother's children's wear store in Seaham, Durham. John Hays owns 49.99% and Irene owns 50.01%.
Hays has been the chair of Hays Travel since 2011.
Since January 2019, Hays is a non-executive board member and chair of the Education Skills Funding Agency management board.

Honours

She was awarded a CBE for services to Local Government in the 2008 New Year's Honours List. In December 2018, she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Sunderland. Hays has been awarded an honorary MBA.

Personal life

In 1997, she married John Hays, and they have one son and one daughter. John Hays is the company's CEO.