Flightie Spotlight Blog

Flightie Spotlight: meet cruise guru Lauren Whelan

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 02:00:00 +0000

How did your journey begin?

My journey started way back in 2005 as a novice consultant with Escape Travel, I was there for around 18 months before the excitement of working for an airline got the better of me. I came back to FCTG in 2013 and have been here ever since!

What roles have you held?

Consultant, Assistant Team Leader, Team Leader & Village Leader. Mostly across Flight Centre Brand before moving over to Cruiseabout Australia in March 2025.

What does your role look like today?

Today I am the Team Leader of Cruiseabout Australia Narellan and get to lead a team of 7 passionate cruise enthusiasts helping match the right cruise to the right client and help plan unforgettable cruise holidays.

What keeps you inspired?

The clients - we get to be a part of their amazing holidays and book some amazing ships all over the world. Second to that would be the diverse opportunity I have within FCTG to continue to grow and expand as a leader.

Who are you outside the office?

A huge musical theatre nerd - you'll find me on stage performing (in my spare time) as well as a cheeky karaoke competition on board a ship

What's your favourite destination & why?

This is a tough one! My favourite city is Cusco in Peru - the mix of Spanish/Andean culture, amazing food and wandering the small cobblestone streets was such a highlight.

My favourite place I've cruised is the Galapagos Islands - small ship, so remote & the most amazing up close and personal encounter with the marine life. Everyone must go in their lifetime!

Thanks for sharing your story Lauren!

Navigate your Career. Explore the World.

Flightie Spotlight: Meet tech legend Dirk Swart

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 02:00:00 +0000

Can you tell us about your career journey with FCTG?

Technology has always been a passion of mine. I started hands-on, fixing PCs in a small repair shop, but always aimed for something bigger. That came when I joined one of Africa’s largest tech companies, building experience in a large organisation. With limited progression, I made the move to London, saw Flight Centre was hiring in IT, applied - and the rest is history.

What was your first role, and how has your career evolved?

I started as a Desktop Analyst, helping staff with day-to-day tech issues, which gave me a great grounding in the business. From there, I moved into 2nd line support, then into a Junior 3rd Line Engineer role, bridging teams. I later became Infrastructure Team Leader for the UK. Through Covid, our teams evolved globally into Enterprise Technology Services, where I now work as a Domain Architect.

What's a day in your role like?

As a Domain Architect, my world looks very different to where I started and worked for many years. These days I'm less involved in fixing problems and more focused on preventing them and planning for what's next. I'm aligned to what we call Productivity & Collaboration, looking after platforms like Microsoft 365 and identity solutions such as Okta and I work closely with a team spread across multiple locations around the globe.

attracted you, and what keeps you here?

It was the people. From my first interaction, I felt welcome, and that made the decision easy. Since then, it’s the culture, the opportunities, and the people that have kept me here. FCTG has given me the platform to grow, and I have real confidence in where we’re heading.

What is a career highlight you have had at FCTG?

My progression at FCTG across so many roles has given me plenty of highlights to look back on, but the ones that stand out most are those shared with colleagues. Being recognised in the company’s Regional and Global awards are the moments I’m most proud of.

What advice do you have for others looking to apply?

Don’t hold back. Get involved, put your name out there, and be open to opportunities. If something feels right, back yourself and go for it.

If you could visit any destination in the world, where would it be?

I’ve been lucky to travel widely, but for me it’s less about specific destinations and more about remote, unspoiled places like mountains, the African bush, or somewhere off the beaten track.

What an inspiring career journey. See where a career at FCTG could take you!

Flightie Spotlight: Meet dynamo Suzi Borgelt

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 02:00:00 +0000

How did your journey begin?

In 2002 I was at a friend's place when I noticed her impressive collection of wine bottles. She explained they were Flight Centre Buzz Night awards - monthly achievement recognition. I was working in media, interested in transitioning to sales, but the business didn't internally promote. My friend's enthusiasm was infectious: "We always promote from within at Flight Centre," she told me. Sold! My background made it a natural fit - travel was in my blood. Growing up in an Air Force family, I'd lived in Malaysia, Australia and Ireland. In my 20s I taught English (and worked in a karaoke bar) in Japan. The prospect of a role where I'd be rewarded for my effort and achievements with the added bonus of travel benefits was irresistible.

What roles have you held?

I started as a Travel Consultant at Ashgrove Flight Centre. My first customer said "We want to go to Machu Picchu. I'll take the train, but my husband will trek." It was 2002 - no Google, no idea where Machu Picchu even was! After a few support roles I ended up working in E-Commerce. We used basic systems and manual processes but over 12years transformed into a digital-first operation. I progressed through recruitment, training, and Sales Area Leader roles, plus managed Risk Management & Customer Relations teams.

What does your role look like today?

After a career break during COVID I became Foundation Leader. This past year I worked with the Intrepid Travel Foundation to develop 𝐅𝐂𝐓𝐆 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 - our new global fundraising platform that recently launched! It's a holistic giving model extending fundraising opportunities beyond our team to the wider public.

What keeps you inspired?

No matter what challenges arise, I know that at FCTG everyone has a voice. I can share my opinions, challenge decisions, and advocate for change. There's no such thing as a career-limiting conversation here, and that openness keeps me energised.

Who are you outside the office?

At home I'm Mum to my 28-year-old son, Nana to my 3-year-old granddaughter and newborn grandson, and wife to my travel-enabling husband. I'm a passionate traveller - every spare dollar goes toward the next adventure!

What's your favourite destination and why?

This is difficult! I love Japan, and I feel most at home in Asia. I recently returned from a women's expedition in Nepal with Intrepid Travel and I think it might be my new favourite destination. Nepal caught me off guard. There's something humbling about the Himalayas - sharing that experience with a group of fearless women made it feel less like a trip and more like a turning point.

What an inspiring career journey. See where a career at FCTG could take you!