Simon Laxton and Liz Makin set up Nikam & Nomis Limited in 2002. Both Simon and Liz have over 25 years business experience at senior management and director level in the travel industry, most of which has been in the scheduled tour operating sector at Thomas Cook. Since starting Nikam & Nomis they have worked with a number of different clients both in the UK and overseas.

Simon and Liz have complimentary skills and between them they have extensive knowledge and experience of scheduled tour operating and a very good knowledge of the travel industry.

They have a track record of successfully running small and medium sized businesses, with 100% commitment to profit, delivery, quality and customer satisfaction. They both have excellent interpersonal skills and are very well respected by those in the travel industry and outside.

At Thomas Cook, Simon was the Managing Director of Thomas Cook Holidays and Liz was the Deputy Managing Director. Over 15 years they helped build Thomas Cook Holidays into one of the leading Long Haul and European scheduled tour operators in the UK, alongside Kuoni, British Airways Holidays, Virgin, Bridge and Cresta. Throughout this time, they managed the business through a number of serious incidents, including a fatal coach crash in South Africa and the aftermath of September 11th.

They also both played a major part in concluding the joint venture deal between Thomas Cook and British Airways to merge their scheduled tour operations to form accoladia and were responsible for the implementation of the project.

Before joining Thomas Cook Holidays, Simon was a graduate trainee with Thomas Cook and worked in a variety of retail and tour operating positions, including a period in the USA running the Cook's Tours escorted tours programme.

Liz is a graduate of Cambridge University, a chartered accountant, an accredited corporate and life coach, a qualified stress consultant, an accredited business mentor and a voluntary business mentor to small businesses. Liz trained as a chartered accountant with Price Waterhouse in London and then moved to the Thomas Cook Group.

Liz also provides personalised business coaching, business mentoring and stress management services to business owners, directors, managers and professionals. More information can be found at Makin It Happen - Coaching, Mentoring & Stress Management.