European Consumer Claims CEO Andrew Cooper reflects on 2023 and looks forward to the year ahead

A turbulent year

Against the backdrop of the never-ending war in Ukraine, we have endured events like the apocalyptic Turkey-Syria earthquake which claimed an astounding 55,000 lives.

The world watched in claustrophobic horror as the Titan Submersible lost contact, then confirmed our worst fears by winking out of existence in the abyss. Other disasters such as the Canadian and Hawaiian wildfires struck, as well as the horrific floods in Libya and China. Hamas launched it's murderous assault in Israel, bringing equal brutality in Israel's response.

We lost such notables as Lisa Marie Presley, Pope Benedict XVI, Raquel Welsh, Jerry Springer, Tina Turner, Sinead O Connor Tony Bennet and Matthew Perry. Every one of whom lit up the world in no small way.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were crowned in May, marking the final closure of the second Elizabethan era and concrete beginning of the third Carolean era. Most of us have only ever lived under the reign of Elizabeth ii. We can only hope that Charles iii is able to live up to his mother's daunting example of service.

We came within an inch of World Cup glory as England's magnificent lionesses stormed through to the final, losing merely by a single goal to the Señoritas of 'La Roja.'

Nevertheless our ladies did the nation proud to bring us so far.

Timeshare Advice Centre's 2023

2023 marks our seventh year in business, making us one of the longest serving and most successful claims firms in Europe.

This has been a buoyant and expansive twelve months for Timeshare Advice Centre and European Consumer Claims. During 2023, our marketing brand MyTimeshareClaim UK reached an audience of over 48 million through radio campaigns.

From the beginning of the year until the time of writing this article in early November we have successfully claimed over £4.5 million for our clients.

We have also relinquished (so far) a further 331 formerly trapped - but now relieved - timeshare owners from their unwanted contracts.

Quality media coverage

This year has seen the work of TAC and ECC praised extensively in such high calibre media outlets as the Sunday Times and Reader's Digest, among others. In the USA, leading journal New York Post published an extensive and plauditory article on the work and role of American Consumer Claims in the US exit market.

I personally believe that we are witnessing a welcome, bold new generation of journalists who are unafraid to write the truth about the the timeshare industry, immune to their influence.

As our work continues, I look forward to more such honest and accurate coverage.

New York offices launched

We finally bowed to market pressure after a tidal wave of business in the US and launched our New York based offices on Broadway to better accommodate our many US clients.

American Consumer Claims (along with associated US marketing arm MyTimeshareClaim) officially incorporated in May of this year accompanied by multiple radio campaigns. ACC has been swept off their feet by demand for US relinquishments. There are clearly a great deal of unhappy American timeshare owners desperate for a trustworthy relinquishment service.

New UK premises

With the global expansion of our business, the need for a headquarters building that reflects our increasing status could no longer be ignored. After seven happy and productive years in the Henley Building, we have moved a mile down the road to The Boathouse, a prestigious corporate address overlooking the timeless river Thames.

The extra space allows room for more staff to cater for our ever expanding client and claims portfolio. As with our previous Henley Building offices, clients will be always welcome to visit us in person at the new address. Although with thousands of clients on our roster, we generally find video calls more practical.

New premises in Spain

We have also relocated our Spanish offices from Fuengirola to Riviera-del-Sol in Mijas, further down the Costa del Sol towards Marbella. The attractive and beautifully positioned new hub is more practical and allows for expansion as our business continues on its ever upwards trajectory.

Relocating the office building is not only a significant step forward for the business in terms of stature, it also brings an obvious, long term financial benefit to the operation, enabling us to update aspects of our infrastructure and further improve the quality of our service.

New legal partners

As well as the Spanish lawyers at M1 Legal, ECC and Timeshare Advice Centre now have direct access to the considerable resources of M1 Law.

This London based SRA registered law firm specialises in consumer claims and group litigation and is headed up by accomplished UK solicitor Ben Hawkins.

Ben qualified as a solicitor in 1999 and has earned a distinguished reputation through a successful 24 year career in dispute resolution, litigation and consumer claims.

Ben's M1 Law team have combined their abilities and experience with the existing skillsets of the M1 Legal lawyers. The current M1 Legal lawyers continue to work in Spain on all Spanish aspects of timeshare claims, supported by M1 Law.

One sad note

A light went out in the world of timeshare consumer claims, as industry pioneer Eugen Kaiser passed away this November after a battle with illness. Eugen was one of the few honest timeshare operators before he became disillusioned with how the industry was deteriorating. He led the charge of suing errant companies, securing the first ever victory (against ANFI in 2016.)

God speed Eugene.

2024: What comes next?

COVID and the Ukraine war have been eclipsed by the shocking events in Palestine. We can only pray for relief for the people in that dusty, long-suffering region.

The long awaited Artemis mission will return humans to the moon, albeit just to orbit our enigmatic neighbour on this occasion. Astronauts are scheduled to physically step back onto the lunar surface the following year, for the first time in more than half a century.

The Olympics will take place in France. England's men will try yet again to win the UEFA European Football Championship in June and July. A total solar eclipse will be visible in much of the Northern hemisphere on the 8th of April.

These are world events. Our own lives will no doubt have their own, less globally impactful, but just as important happenings, twists, turns and milestones.

...and what next for ECC/TAC?

European Consumer Claims now employs well over 200 people between the USA, the UK and Spain. We are generally acknowledged by industry observers to be the foremost experts in this field, and our online reviews clearly demonstrate why. As big as we already are, we will be announcing further expansions and recruitment drives in the new year.

Despite all of our success, we have only undone a tiny fraction of all the damage visited upon timeshare consumers over the last quarter of a century. We have a great deal more work to do.

As Le Beau famously promised the two society cousins in As You Like It:

"The best is yet to come."

For now, I will sign off 2023 by wishing you and your families all the, success and prosperity in the world. Follow your dreams and seize the happiness you all deserve

I will leave you with another quote, a favourite of mine from little known Canadian clergyman Basil King:

"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid!"

I hope it inspires you, as it does me.