Laurence Crookall is playing a key role in a business which he claims is helping to lead a revolution in the travel industry.

Laurence, 27, who grew up in the island, is an engagement manager with Transfer Travel.

Nine people work for the company, which has its headquarters in modern offices in Hill Street, Douglas.

It is aimed at providing what the business claims to be better value for consumers by challenging established and often expensive methods of buying flights, hotel, package holidays, cruises and much more.

TransferTravel.com works by providing a marketplace for anyone to buy or sell unwanted travel bookings – and it has built up a following of ‘Transfer Travellers’ looking to pick-up a bargain, or recoup money from bookings that might otherwise be wasted.

As a ‘disruptor’ in an industry dominated by multinational hotel and airline businesses, TransferTravel.com is growing rapidly and has big plans for expansion globally, especially in the USA where there is said to be huge potential with millions of dollars of unused travel bookings every year.

Punk rock fan Laurence, who in his spare time is setting up his own record label called ‘SleepClub Records’, says that the opportunity to join TransferTravel was too good to miss.

Laurence, who is a cousin of Legislative Council member and former MHK Tim Crookall, said: ‘Because TransferTravel is a fast developing business, the specific role of everyone in the company is not wholly defined yet.

‘That means the business is driven forward by a collaborative effort from everyone who works here, and everyone is encouraged to develop new ideas, expand their skills and knowledge, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in the travel industry.

‘While colleagues may have specialist skills or qualifications, and join the company with a specific focus, anyone who shows additional skills, experience or aptitude is given the scope to expand their role into other areas of the business where they can add value.

‘Everyone’s specific role is defined only by the limits of their own ambition.

‘As someone who is driven by hardcore punk and its anti-establishment, disruptive, unconventional ethos, I find that it fits perfectly with working at TransferTravel.’

The Leeds Metropolitan University graduate, who has a BSc Hons degree in Computer Forensics, is an engagement manager focusing primarily on customer service elements of the business.

He says that the working environment at TransferTravel has more in common with working at Google or Apple than it does with any traditional business within the travel sector.

Team meetings might take place in the office, a nearby coffee bar, or even the local pub, with all employees encouraged to challenge conventional ideas and processes to find ways to improve the TransferTravel.com site and find more innovative ways to help buyers and sellers.

Laurence said: ‘For every key decision that’s made, everyone is included.

‘It’s an inclusive business within which everyone has the same goal of making TransferTravel the biggest and best in the world at what we do.

‘We’re always interested in hearing from talented individuals who feel they can complement the team.

‘So if that is you, get in touch.’

Transfer Travel charges a fee of 15% of the value of every completed sale.

If a seller doesn’t manage to sell their travel booking, there is no charge.

The e-commerce company also has one member of staff in London, and one in San Francisco. It is also featured on social media.