Amy Uttley

My journey so far

As the Associate Director of Innovation and Conversational Design at Holiday Extras, I've had quite the journey since joining the company back in 2008. What began as a six-month stint during a university break has blossomed into a 16-year adventure filled with diverse roles and invaluable experiences. From my early days in the contact centre to dabbling in copywriting and merchandising, I've explored various areas of the business. It wasn't until 2016, when I joined the Tech and Product Team, that I truly found my calling. Here, I combine my customer insights and product expertise to shape how we present information on our website, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for our customers.

Product management is a wonderfully dynamic role that keeps you on your toes, and at the heart of it all is one key focus: solving problems for customers. It's not just about creating something shiny or new; it's about understanding what your customers truly need and how to make their lives easier. And the best part? It's never about having all the right answers, but about asking the right questions.

You learn pretty quickly that product management is not about falling in love with a specific solution, no matter how clever it might seem. Instead, it's about falling in love with the problem—getting to the core of what's causing pain for the customer and then figuring out how to ease that pain. There's something deeply satisfying about chipping away at an issue, adjusting, tweaking, and listening to feedback until you've got something that works.

At the end of the day, it's about that moment when you know you've made a meaningful difference for the customer, whether it's through a small fix or a larger change. It's challenging, yes, but that's where the joy lies—constantly learning, constantly improving, and always keeping the customer at the heart of every decision.

Life before Holiday Extras

Having grown up at Holiday Extras from about the age of 21 there's not a lot to say about the time before. I lived in London while I studied at King's College and although I loved being in a vibrant city like our capital I missed being by the sea.

Life outside Holiday Extras

Outside of Holiday Extras, I love spending time with my gorgeous little girl,, travelling, and being by, in, or on the water. Having grown up by the sea, everything feels off-kilter when I'm far from it.

Aside from travelling and being on the waterfront, I have a special love for film, reading, theatre, and music. But I think films are my absolute favourite—they're such an accessible yet immersive form of entertainment. I especially enjoy watching old black-and-white films; they remind me of my childhood, watching them with my grandfather. He used to record films from the television and meticulously index them. My favourite classic film is probably It Happened One Night (1934), starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. It's a timeless romantic comedy that, even today, feels fresh and relevant—a true masterpiece that was one of the first to sweep the Academy Awards.

While I adore classic cinema, I also have a soft spot for world cinema and art-house indie films. However, on a rainy Sunday, you'll likely find me indulging in a guilty pleasure like Twilight (2008), Dirty Dancing (1987)—"Nobody puts Baby in the corner"—or Pretty Woman (1990)—who can resist Julia Roberts' iconic "three thousand dollarsss"?

What's your perfect hassle-free holiday

Hassle-free holidays for me are all about being in the sun, by the water, with plenty to see and do. I love exploring new places and meeting new people.

Some of my favourite holidays include Thailand, where I adored the food, the people, and, of course, the stunning beaches. I also loved visiting Australia—a weird and wonderful country where everything seems to happen by the beach, which suited me perfectly. Every year, I return to Corfu to visit friends I made years ago during a girly holiday. The island holds a special place in my heart, especially a spot called Paleokastritsa. There, you'll find an old monastery with breathtaking views across the Aegean Sea. One of my favourite things is waking up early in Paleokastritsa and swimming to a village called Lakones, enjoying a coffee on the beach before swimming back. It feels like my little slice of paradise.

Now, for my holiday wild card—I absolutely loved Las Vegas. It's such a weird and wonderful place, bursting with vibrant nightlife, thrilling casinos, captivating shows, and overwhelming scenery. No water, I know, but wow—what an experience!