Lesley Yates – Partner
Lesley’s early career was as Sales & Marketing Manager for a fuel management company. Then along came three children, a very busy home and John’s tree surgery business. Some years later Lesley resumed her career and worked as a Commercial Manager for a large tour operator before running her own successful travel consultancy. Marketing, accounting and yield management are her forte along with great customer service skills learnt in the travel industry. Lesley was brought up in the pub and restaurant business and her love of this area drove the restaurant boat Romance project into fruition. A perfectionist!
John Yates – Partner
After leaving school John trained, qualified and worked as a precision engineer. John’s love of the outdoors led him to study Arboriculture at Myerscough College he then ran his own successful Tree Surgery business working on many high profile contracts throughout the UK. John is a qualified Boatmaster and currently taking his Oceanmaster exams. A keen boater since the age of eighteen he somehow managed to persuade Lesley to give up her career in the travel industry and start Canal Boat Cruises – the rest as they say is history. Likes to think he’s the boss!
Louis Yates – Marina Manager
Louis followed in his father’s footsteps and trained in Arboriculture at Myerscough College, after qualifying he worked in Australia for a year on work placement as a Tree Surgeon. On returning to the UK he continued his career as a Tree Surgeon working throughout Lancashire. Louis decided to join the family business full time he has gained much knowledge and is well liked by the customers, he is also a qualified Boatmaster. Louis is a big Blackburn Rovers fan and can often be found on the terraces at Ewood Park needless to say he’s not a fan of Saturday turnaround days!
Bridie Yates – Hospitality Manager
Bridie – Bridie Bear as she is affectionately known in the family, hence our big holiday boat “Bridie Bear”. Bridie is fully trained and qualified in Travel and Tourism, it must be something in the blood! She is now a fully qualified Chef. Bridie takes responsibility for the day to day organisation, efficiency and presentation of the restaurant boat Romance, she is extremely popular and a big hit with all the customers, very professional and efficient, nothing is too much trouble for Bridie.
Ellie Yates – Assistant Manager
Ellie the little one – Hells Bells! The name had to be tamed down a little and our small boat was named “Elle’s Belle”. Ellie assists Lesley on the general day to day running of the business, a graduate in Travel & Tourism she is very keen to learn, intelligent, determined and driven – tiny but a force to be reckoned with beware do not cross her path!
