Ravi, you launched your first venture just a year after graduating—what inspired you to start Simply Chateau at such an early stage, and what do you remember most about those early days of building a business from scratch?
My first role after university was with Quintessentially, and even then I knew I wanted to start my own business in the travel and luxury space. So when Oliver came to me with the idea of renting out châteaux, it felt like the perfect fit—and we were off.
I’ve got such fond memories of those early days: the two of us crammed into a bedroom office in Fulham, learning everything from scratch. We were finding (and mostly begging!) property owners to join a website that barely existed, building it ourselves, celebrating our very first booking… and probably drinking a bit too much beer in the process! We were incredibly driven, worked insanely hard, and, even in the chaos, had a surprising amount of discipline. It was the start of a pretty amazing adventure.
Oliver’s Travels has undergone impressive growth, from a niche concept to a leading luxury villa brand with a global footprint. What were some of the pivotal decisions that fuelled this evolution and kept the momentum going?
A major turning point was realising we could - and should - expand beyond châteaux in France. That niche got us started, but branching into villas across Europe and UK homes via Stately Escapes let us grow while staying true to our brand.
We were slow to hire at first, but building the right team changed everything. Quality has always been our focus. Every new listing had to match the quirk, character, and brilliance of our original châteaux. Bringing tech in-house gave us more control and agility, allowing for a more personalised experience. And we’ve always prioritised customer aftercare. These holidays mark milestone moments, and making people feel looked after is essential.
We’ve never aimed to be the biggest - just the best, offering stays that are full of personality, a little unexpected, and always truly special.
Leading through the pandemic must have presented huge challenges. What leadership lessons did you learn during that period, and how did you keep your team motivated while pivoting the business so dramatically?
The pandemic was incredibly challenging and, at times, really upsetting. But it taught me the value of clear, honest communication and staying adaptable. We pivoted quickly to focus on UK travel, but operationally, we had to keep the team working - processing cancellations, changes, refunds, and rebooking for over 50,000 travellers. It was intense, and we were running the business on what felt like a shoestring, but the team pulled together brilliantly. It really showed how resilient we are, and what a great and brilliant staff Oliver's Travels has always had!
As someone who’s grown a company across different markets and cultures, how do you approach leadership across a global team—and how have you maintained your company’s values and identity while scaling rapidly?
Leading a global team comes with its challenges, but we’ve always stayed true to who we are. From day one, we’ve led with kindness, kept a startup feel, and built a culture where people genuinely enjoy working - no matter where they’re based.
Clear values have made scaling easier. We know what we stand for: personality-led travel, brilliant service, and not taking ourselves too seriously. That’s helped us grow across different markets without losing our identity.
Communication and trust are key, especially across time zones. But ultimately, it’s about having the right people who really get the brand and want to be part of the journey.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of Oliver’s Travels, and what advice would you give to young entrepreneurs who dream of building something as lasting and dynamic as your business?
What excites me most is that we’ve only scratched the surface. There are still so many incredible properties and destinations to uncover, and as technology continues to evolve, we’ve got even more ways to make the experience feel seamless, personal, and full of character—just like the holidays themselves.
As for advice: start with something you genuinely care about. Passion gets you through the late nights and the tough patches. Stay nimble, surround yourself with brilliant people, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. And finally - be kind. To your team, your customers, and yourself. It really does go a long way.
For more information or to start planning your next extraordinary villa holiday, visit www.oliverstravels.com
