So long, and thanks for all the Fish.

Colleagues and Friends,

These past few days it's been easy to focus on what the year 2020 has taken away. Our industry has been brought to its knees, and despite our most valiant and heroic efforts, has now claimed STA Travel.

It has taken from you too - your colleagues, community, your customers. There have been no prisoners. The world we operate in once the dust settles will be different to before. Nevertheless, the dust will settle, passengers will return to the skies, aircraft will have the desert sand brushed off their wings and most will fly again. As far away as it feels today, there is a bright future that we should all be preparing for now.

That said...

For this message, I want to share what this year has given.

It's given me the opportunity as a young man to come to the other side of the world and join in the leadership of an iconic brand on a mission to change the world. For 41 years we achieved that mission and to share in it for six months is something I will be eternally grateful for.

It has given me the opportunity to work with all of you. You are thought leaders in aviation and travel, innovators, problem solvers and folks with an enviable resilience in the face of immeasurable odds and adversity. I have had the privilege of working with and learning from each of you. Thank You for all you have given.

I have had the sincere joy of leading Alison Ashworth, Toni Roberts, Emma Moreton, Laura Brown, Louise Parker, Andrea Stennet, Orsolya Gabor and Tristan Clemence - being taught by them every day, with each inspiring me to be a better person, a better leader, challenging my ideas, my ideals and extracting from me learnings and wisdom rarely achieved under any other circumstance.

It is remarkable on reflection how these people have made a person so small, feel so big. Proud is an understatement. Stay close to these names - a combined century of expertise resides among them and I can promise you any one of these individuals gives many more times what they take. They are heros who were quick to make sacrifices in honor of their colleagues, our customers and our business. I leave STA with one regret which is that I won't have the chance to clear the debt they are owed. But will never be forgotten.

 Finally, this whole saga brings to a close my time in the United Kingdom and at STA. A brief, but remarkable journey. Tigger the dog and I will spend the next couple of months in the UK getting our act together before Her Royal Majesties immigration department comes knocking and we need to return to New Zealand. I've been thinking about learning to sail and pirating my way back to the southern hemisphere - but I've always been a better pilot than a sailor. I'm also pretty sure that Tigger would get sea sick.

There's nothing broken or taken that a good sense of humor and an adventurous spirit can't repair or replace. It's been an absolute honor serving you. I should hope very much it's not the last time.

Sincerely Yours,

Jared Simcox

Group Director of Air

Future Amateur Sailor

Shark Bait