Robert Kennedy Development Director

In a nutshell, what do you do?
I’m the lead system developer. I’ve been in charge of all development of SuperControl from day one. I’m also responsible for system security, backup and hosting.

What excites you most about your work?
Getting positive feedback from clients about the impact our system has had on their businesses.

What has been the best experience you’ve had at SuperControl?
Seeing how the system coped successfully during the peak booking period in early January. At peak times more than £5.00 of bookings are placed every second. It’s very satisfying to see something that we’ve built cope with this load.

Where did you go on your most enjoyable UK holiday and why did you like the accommodation?
Staying at Ben Armine in Sutherland. A sporting lodge in the middle of nowhere accessed along an eight mile track. You could hear the stags rubbing themselves against the lodge walls during the night.

If you could solve one problem for self-catering accommodation owners, what would it be?
Get a specialist photographer to come and take pictures of their properties. The cost isn’t massive but it makes a HUGE difference.

How do you relax?
Running a busy business and having two small children leaves little time to relax.

Melinda Kennedy Marketing Director

In a nutshell, what do you do?
Business development and marketing for SuperControl. A lot of networking and developing strategic partnerships that create opportunities for us and for our clients. Evolve marketing strategy and work on marketing activities.

What excites you most about your work?
I’m an ideas-broker so I love finding ways to spread the word about SuperControl and really enjoy making the lives of clients easier and saving them time. Each small advance can have a significant impact on so many businesses ... and we get lots of good feedback, which feels great.

What has been the best experience you’ve had at SuperControl?
The day Millbrook Cottages won Silver in Best Self-Catering of the Year 2011 (Enjoy England Awards for Excellence) and said they couldn’t have done it without SuperControl.

Where did you go on your most enjoyable UK holiday and why did you like the accommodation?
Ben Armine in Sutherland, a remote Highland sporting lodge. Talk about a house with character! Real fires, incredible scenery and long hill walks - the ultimate authentic Scottish Highlands holiday. And with a great cook to take the chore out of shopping and cooking.

If you could solve one problem for self-catering accommodation owners, what would it be?
I would get them more bookings by providing a strong online marketing channel ....

How do you relax?
I’m netball crazy! I love the competition and camaraderie. Also spending time with my family. Reading, hill walking.

Charlotte Wight Client Director

In a nutshell, what do you do?
Web development and client support

What excites you most about your work?
Relationships! I love the long-term relationship you develop with a client – they become friends. Sad I know but website stats excite me, I just don’t get enough time to look at them (:

What has been the best experience you’ve had at SuperControl?
When a new member of staff starts – it’s great to see the company grow.

Where did you go on your most enjoyable UK holiday and why did you like the accommodation?
Fort William for the Mountain Bike World Cup Championships! We stayed in the horse box with the dog and bike on a campsite at the bottom of Ben Nevis!

If you could solve one problem for self-catering accommodation owners, what would it be?
So many websites have very little or very poor photography. I’d like to see people hire a professional for a day; it’s well worth the investment.

How do you relax?
Horse riding – I compete most weekends. Also walking my lovely dog and socialising.

Jade Winning Support & Training Manager

In a nutshell, what do you do?
Train new clients in how to use their SuperControl account and hold their hands through the setup process up until they go live. I’m also the main point of contact for support.

What excites you most about your work?
Speaking to people from all around the world and learning about their businesses. It’s also nice to have a nosey at the lovely properties!

What has been the best experience you’ve had at SuperControl?
I really enjoyed travelling down to the Peak District to meet some of our Premier Cottages members. It’s nice to put a face to a name.

Where did you go on your most enjoyable UK holiday and why did you like the accommodation?
Auchenheglish, www.lochlomondlodge.co.uk. A client very kindly offered a holiday for free to say thank you to SuperControl. The property I stayed in sits on the water’s edge with views onto Ben Lomond, so romantic. When we arrived there was a lovely bottle of wine along with some groceries.

If you could solve one problem for self-catering accommodation owners, what would it be?
One problem I see often with self catering websites is that it is difficult to view availability and book. Simplicity is key to getting bookings – something that can easily achieved with clear link from homepage to the prices / availability pages.

How do you relax?
I love to go for walks with my dog. At weekends I enjoy cooking and reading a good book.

Peter Graves Developer

In a nutshell, what do you do?
Develop! We’re constantly improving SuperControl so it’s a busy job. I work on things like the development of new features, ensuring the system is completely secure, systems administration and the scalability of the hosting environment.

What excites you most about your work?
Every day is different. There’s always a new challenge to tackle.

What has been the best experience you’ve had at SuperControl?
Learning about mobile and social media advancements so we can make use of them on behalf of our clients.

Where did you go on your most enjoyable UK holiday and why did you like the accommodation?
A caravan in Wales in the autumn. It was damp and cold but the scenery more than made up for the miserable weather. It was comfy accommodation and amazing being in the middle of nowhere.

If you could solve one problem for self-catering accommodation owners, what would it be?
Create a common standard for exchanging availability and pricing data between different platforms so that clients don’t have to update this information on several websites; it wastes their time. We create an automatic update service with tourism websites that are receptive to it; at the moment we have to set each one up individually; it’s an important element of our service but very time-consuming!

How do you relax?
Listening to vinyl.

Kerry Cain Project Manager

In a nutshell, what do you do?
Manage developments and strategic partnerships. Also deal with client support and help with marketing.

What excites you most about your work?
Building new relationships with third party companies that benefit SuperControl and the clients. Being involved with the marketing is exciting because I feel like I am part of driving the business forward.

What has been the best experience you’ve had at SuperControl?
Meeting clients I speak to regularly, and hearing how SuperControl has had such an impact on their business.

Where did you go on your most enjoyable UK holiday and why did you like the accommodation?
Barra, Outer Hebrides. I loved how peaceful it was and the accommodation just topped it off. It was lovely to be able to do your own thing without having set times for meals. The beaches are amazing and the scenery is out of this world.

If you could solve one problem for self-catering accommodation owners, what would it be?
So many owners are scared of technology and it stops them doing so much that could improve their businesses. I’d like to educate them on the importance of marketing and how embracing new technology can improve occupancy and customer relations.

How do you relax?
Cooking, reading and yoga.

Shani Asbridge Sales Executive

In a nutshell, what do you do?
I’m part of our small sales and marketing team, and the point of contact for new clients. Basically, I help get SuperControl out there!

What excites you most about your work?
I enjoy being a part of the client’s business as it grows and improves. I love it when we get a new client – all those amazing properties and exciting businesses!

What has been the best experience you’ve had at SuperControl?
I went to an exhibition in Kelso where I got to meet clients and prospects and other people in the industry. It was good to meet people face to face.

Where did you go on your most enjoyable UK holiday and why did you like the accommodation?
I stayed in a lovely converted barn in south west England. So peaceful and relaxing!

If you could solve one problem for self-catering accommodation owners, what would it be?
To show just how easy online booking is and what a huge difference it can make to their businesses.

How do you relax?
Reading a good book, spending time with family and friends, enjoying good food!