Blog

Meet The Team: Rob Carroll - Head of Own Products

Date Added 12/05/2025

Over the past year, we have welcomed some fantastic new faces to our team - and seen some familiar ones take on new roles too. As we continue to grow and evolve, one thing remains the same: our commitment to providing friendly, reliable and personal service on every journey.

We know how much our customers value the people behind the wheel and behind the scenes, so over the next few weeks, we’ll be introducing (and reintroducing!) some of the wonderful team members who help make your Johnsons experience so special.

We can’t wait for you to get to know them a little better — and don’t forget to say hello when you see them on your next adventure! ????

Rob Carroll

Head of Own Products

"Hi I'm Rob, I joined Johnsons in March of this year, though I've worked in travel since 1994. I began as a campsite holiday rep in the south of France. Since then I've worked in the escorted tours industry, desiging and operating coach holidays, rail holidays and, most recently, walking holidays. It's great to be able to bring my ideas to an established programme such as Johnsons, with a strong identity for quality and care - it's right up my street!

I am replacing Barry Cobb, who is retiring after developing the Johnsons Holiday programme over the past 12 years. I will oversee the holiday programme for both Johnsons and Whittles, from its design to operation, with the help of our amazing teams, both in the office in Henley and out on the road."

We asked Rob what he enjoys most about his job and what he is most looking forward to and this is what he said "I love uncovering something new, something you didn’t know you wanted to do or see, then putting that product together and watching it sell. It’s a lovely feeling when people buy something you have made, an idea you’ve dreamed up, showing their trust in you and in Johnsons. I also love to get stuck in, so don’t be surprised if I turn up for a day on one of your holidays, just to check that everything is going to plan." 

Get to know the man himself, here's some interesting information that gives you an insight into who Rob is!

• Plays Crown Green Bowls and Mondays you will find him turning out for Moseley in the Summit Premier League, the top competition in the Midlands!
• Music-wise he's a bit of a punk rocker.
• Rob likes running and will be entering his first marathon this year - so we'll all have to get behind him cheering him on!
• He also writes, his travel writing has appeared in various publications including the Daily Telegraph and in lockdown he gave himself a project to write a book about what goes on behind the making of your holidays - that he self-published, mainly for copies for his daughters, but it has been purchased by others and Rob donates his royalties to good causes!

Finally we asked Rob, if he could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would he go?

"This is an impossible question to answer with just one destination. I love Norway, the Alps, the hospitality and incredible diverse beauty of Italy. But in Europe I tend to pine for Germany. I studied German and lived there. It’s great value, not far from us and is also so very diverse, from the Hanseatic coast to the majestic Rhine to the Bavarian Alps, with strong regional cultures and hearty food. In the UK I’m always drawn to Scotland. The western Highlands was my late mum's favourite place and every time I visit I connect with her in spirit. It is so beautiful too. Vast forests, snow-capped peaks; you could close your eyes, open them again and imagine you were in Canada. And it’s on our doorstep!"

We hope you enjoyed getting to know Rob, we are sure you will see him out and about! Please help us give a lovely warm welcome to him - he's bound to bring some exciting new additions to the Johnnsons programme!