Staff at specialist holiday firm Solmar Villas have paid tribute to Managing Director Julie Blake, who has passed away at the age of 47.
Julie, the daughter of the company’s founders John and Maria Tayler, has been described as “passionate, funny and kind” and will be remembered for her passion and drive.
Matt Bowley, Solmar’s Head of Marketing, said: “It was never just about revenue for Julie. Her ethos was always about providing quality, really caring for our guests and going above and beyond to give people amazing villa holidays.
“A family person and mother herself – she just got it. She got the importance of a holiday, the decision making that goes into it, the peace of mind you get knowing support is just a phone call away when you need it. That’s what she built at Solmar – an amazing environment where everyone is as passionate as each other in giving our guests an amazing experience.”
Julie passed away on Thursday, 17 April.
Colleagues say she will be remembered as a risk taker who was not afraid to fail and would always see the potential in any opportunity.
Other team members have said she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty and there have been countless occasions where Julie would drop her plans to muck in and help out the team.
A statement from her close friends reads: “She had a unique style of leadership, she guided with grace, mentored with kindness and always brought a light to any room. Julie never let the overseas team feel forgotten.
“Her laughter was infectious, and her sense of humour could lift the heaviest of hearts. She checked in regularly and always wanted to know how the team was doing. She truly cared.”
The Solmar business, based in Burton upon Trent, started in 1994 and was acquired by DERTOUR in January last year, as reported by Daily Focus here.
Francis Torrilla, CEO of DERTOUR UK, will step in to run the business to ensure the smooth running of the organisation until a successor is appointed.
He said: “It is with a heavy heart and with great sadness that I shared news of Julie’s passing with our team at Solmar. I first met Julie in January 2023 when we started talking about her wish to sell the business.
“She was keen for Solmar to join the DERTOUR group of businesses and was welcomed by the senior team here, her passion for Solmar and in securing the future of her business by joining forces with other like-minded tour operators was foresight indeed. Her actions have secured the future of Solmar and we will ensure that her legacy lives on.
“We will not be able to replace Julie and we will not try to. We will however find the right person to lead Solmar on its next iteration as we continue to take the business to other markets and villa guests worldwide.”
