Specialists

Nicola Butler

Owner and Managing Director

Originally from Cambridgeshire and with 20 years of experience in managing high-end live events, Nicola is a true expert in her field and is ideally talented to develop and lead the range of extraordinary experiences delivered by the NoteWorthy team.

Since joining NoteWorthy, Nicola has been personally recognised five years in a row as a Travel + Leisure ‘A-List Travel Advisor’, Condé Nast Traveler Top ‘Travel Specialist for Great Britain & Ireland’ and has previously led the team to win Virtuoso’s coveted ‘Best Destination Specialist’ award.

Nicola designs and develops bespoke NoteWorthy programmes across Great Britain, Ireland, Paris and Normandy. She introduces guests to her friends and contacts, from hosting whiskey tastings in a private ‘shebeen’ through to flower arranging in a stately home. Some of Nicola’s most notable programmes have included escorting clients to dine with A-list celebrities, taking guests behind the scenes at St. Paul’s Cathedral, staying in private castles in Ireland and Scotland, flying guests by helicopter to a private estate in Norfolk, and escorting families behind the scenes during the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Before joining NoteWorthy, Nicola worked with the country’s finest venues and events providers, including the Athenaeum Hotel, Royal Ascot, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Churchill War Rooms, the London 2012 Olympics and has arranged gigs for A-list musicians such as Rod Stewart.

Nicola became the proud owner of NoteWorthy in 2014.

Nicola's Favourite NoteWorthy Experience

Angela Tupper

Creative Director

Born and raised in the rural British county of West Sussex — known for its chocolate-box cottages and neat cricket greens — Angela has an in-depth knowledge of traditional British countryside pursuits and experiences. As a former sales and marketing director for some of the country’s best known hospitality companies, she has worked with many high-end British brands including the Royal Opera House, Jamie Oliver and the Gherkin. When not in the office, Angela works through her list of the best places to eat and drink in London, plays lacrosse for one of London’s leading clubs and rides her horse in West Sussex.

Angela's Favourite NoteWorthy Experience

Daphne Young

Honorary Experience Designer

Daphne is a NoteWorthy veteran, having been with the company for more than 20 years. Her understanding of British culture and history is unparalleled, with a specialism in arranging hard-to-come-by experiences, from last minute ballet tickets to private dinners at stately homes. Her favourite venue is the Waterloo Chamber at Windsor Castle. Outside of work, Daphne loves nothing more than to flex her green fingers.

Hannah Busby

Team and Business Manager

Hannah has over 16 years of working in luxury, tailor-made travel and loves creating truly unique and bespoke experiences for her clients that form lifelong memories.

A born and bred Londoner, Hannah spent her childhood visiting London’s most loved sights and enjoyed discovering different parts of the UK on family holidays. She grew up playing music and looks back fondly on the occasions she had the honour to perform at the Royal Albert Hall. Her love of music continues, and she makes the most of London life by frequenting concerts and the theatre. At the weekends, she can often be found appreciating the masterpieces at one of London’s many art galleries or indulging at one of the city’s fantastic bars or restaurants.

Ellie O’Grady

Experience Designer

Ellie hails from Kent, also known as the ‘Garden of England’. She is a fluent Spanish speaker with over five years knowledge of luxury travel and experiences. Away from the office, Ellie brunches with friends in the capital and more recently has been rediscovering the many wonders and hidden treasures of her homeland through the eyes of her little girl, Nina. She enjoys spending her weekends with family and friends in Kent and the Cotswolds and checking into the latest hotel openings.

Ellie's Favourite NoteWorthy Experience

Sarah-Gaines Russell

Experience Designer

Sarah-Gaines was born and raised in the southern United States. Before moving to London, she studied Hospitality Management at the University of Mississippi and has since gained over six years experience in the luxury travel sector helping clients plan memorable trips throughout the UK, Ireland and France. When not in the office, Sarah-Gaines tours the city on foot to explore the warren of streets and alleyways that make London such an interesting place to be.

Sarah-Gaines' Favourite NoteWorthy Experience

Daisy Butler

Experience Design Assistant

Daisy is our resident canine companion, specialising in great British walks. She is often seen by Nicola’s side, scoping out fine views and hidden coastal paths for NoteWorthy clients. Daisy is rarely seen without a tennis ball and her favourite British sporting event is Wimbledon. She loves escorting clients by helicopter and playing football in the park with guests.

Nerys Whiley

Experience Design Assistant

Nerys has spent her career working for 5* hotels, serviced apartments and event venues. With her Welsh name of Nerys, you’ll have already guessed that she was born in Wales followed by a number of years in the Berkshire countryside. For her teenage years however, these were spent living in Kuala Lumper, Malaysia, with her family. It was during this time Nerys found her love for the hospitality industry; spending weekends staying in hotels whilst travelling around Malaysian islands and Asian cities. Not ready to return to the UK when the time came, Nerys decided to go to university in Florida to obtain a degree Hospitality Management. When not at work, Nerys is often out exploring on her bike or learning the ropes of sailing, which is a newly found hobby since relocating to the Hampshire coast.

Martina Durando

Experience Design Assistant

With over 6 years experience of working with leading hospitality brands, Martina has a keen interest in sharing her favourite UK destinations. Every time her family comes to visit her from Italy, Martina loves to organise tours for them outside London to show them the little gems the country has to offer. Martina was born and raised in Italy, in the wonderful Riviera Ligure right next to the sea. Before moving to London, she spent couple of years between Switzerland and Scotland to complete her Master in International Tourism at The University of Lugano and to get familiar with the Scottish Highlands during her internship in Edinburgh working for a Tour Operator. When not in the office, Martina likes to explore London and is always looking for new activities and places to visit. Her favourite city in the UK is definitely Edinburgh, where she left a piece of her heart.

James Ferguson

Senior Experience Designer

James started his career in travel more than 20 years ago, and since then has worked for some of the UK’s most prestigious travel companies. Not only is James an expert in luxury travel, but he is also a certified guide for London and its surroundings, having gained the Blue Badge, the UK’s highest guiding qualification, in 2020. James is therefore uniquely qualified to craft itineraries for travel around London and throughout the United Kingdom. James was born and raised in London and studied at Cambridge University. He is fluent in French, Italian and Spanish and has travelled widely in France and throughout Europe. James lives in West London with his wife and young daughter, and when he is not travelling or visiting hotels, museums and historic sites in London, he enjoys tennis and cycling.

Sian Hammond

Experience Designer

Sian has worked for more than 30 years at some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, staged impressive incentive events and managed touring itineraries that cover the width and breadth of the British Iles. She was born in London and has also lived in Scotland, Israel and California. When not at work Sian loves to visit the theatre and take advantage of the amazing productions on offer in the West End as well as provincial theatres. A keen rugby fan with a mixed heritage of English and Welsh, she enjoys supporting both nations in the 6 Nations Rugby Championship.

George Jerger

Experience Designer

With more than 8 years’ experience with a high-end tour operator designing small cultural tours in the US, George is experienced in the needs of an American traveller. George was born and grew up near Regensburg in Bavaria to an English mother and German father. Before moving to the UK permanently, he obtained a degree in Business Administration in Munich and worked for Kempinski Hotels, where he developed his high-level service skills and a hands-on understanding of the travel and hospitality industry. In his free time George loves to explore UK’s rich cultural sites and is passionate about architecture from all periods.

Jason Norman

Financial Controller

Jason was born in Durham and grew up in the North East and has lived in the South East now for 20 years. Having studied Business & Finance at Northumbria University, he worked in practice for eight years before joining the tourism industry – working for the World Travel & Tourism Council for 19 years. Jason joined Noteworthy in 2020. He counts international travel as one of his passions – his favourite destination is the Lake District, along with keeping fit, music and camping.

Fozzie Butler

Experience Design Assistant

Fozzie Butler is the newest addition to our canine specialist team, alongside his older sister, Daisy. As affable and charming as his namesake character from The Muppets, Fozzie loves nothing better than greeting our guests with his wagging tail. Fozzie’s favourite walk is along the Wey Canal where he can enjoy a dip along the beautiful route in Surrey.