Steph
years at Esto
countries visited
students supported
Meet Steph
Hi, I’m Steph. I’m an ex‑secondary school and Sixth Form teacher, and I now proudly lead the Esto Tour Designers. I’ll be honest – I care a bit too much (in the best possible way) about teachers. I’ve been one. I know the pressure, the inbox that never ends, the to‑do list that keeps growing, and the reality that planning a tour is an extra job on top of an already huge one.
Teachers organise trips because they want to give their students something bigger than the classroom, and I never forget that. That’s why relationships are everything to me. We’re not transactional. We know our group leaders as people (their weekends, their pets, their families…) because we understand just how much their reputation, peace of mind and responsibility rides on everything going right. Safety matters. Details matter. Excellence matters. At Esto, “it’ll do” won’t do.
Since becoming manager in May 2024, I’ve overseen the care of more than 1,100 groups and supported over 40,000 travelling passengers. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built — a team that’s skilled, compassionate, and allowed to be fully themselves — and even prouder of the lasting memories we help create for young people.
Outside of work, life is busy in the best way. My side hustle is being a full‑time taxi driver to three kids – if I’m not on a football sideline, netball sideline, ParkRun, cricket match, drum lesson or jiu‑jitsu class, I’m probably driving between them. I’m also a keen baker (I find it incredibly relaxing), and I try to live by the belief that hope, kindness and care make everything better – in travel and beyond.
Iceland
The land of fire and ice! I loved everything about this place, everywhere you looked it looked like a postcard! We even saw the northern lights over the south shore. It was stunning.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh has a special little place in my heart, it’s where I got engaged, surrounded by incredible history and stunning scenery. I love the Christmas Markets there too! I have Scottish heritage and love listening to the bagpipers at the castle
Barcelona
So easy to explore on public transport but it was packed with plenty to do. Loved the architecture and I’m not even an architecture enthusiast! Loved the food, watching a match at Camp Nou, views from the cable car, loved Poble Espanyol, loved the market, great weather, just ticked lots of boxes!
Steph
“I believe in hope. I believe in believe” Ted Lasso
Steph
Steph’s top tips
Hop on a Teams call
If you can spare a few minutes, hop on a Teams call with our Tour Designers, at any stage but particularly at the start – it gives them an opportunity to figure out what means the most to you, so they can build exactly what you’re looking for.
Don’t worry, we’ll make it happen
We will do everything we can to get your tour to go ahead, even if you don’t quite get the numbers you were aiming for, there is often a way we can make it work. We know how much time and effort goes into your tour even just to get the go ahead, we will do everything we possibly can to get you away 🙂
Share on your socials!
Remember to give us your social media details before you set off on your journey so we can see the tour in all it’s glory once you get there! We love seeing everything come to life!
Let’s talk trips
Our team of Tour Designers love to talk school travel. So drop us a message or give us a call… we’re ready when you are!
