Paul Cronje, Director, Clyde Travel Management has been named to a new advisory board for a Travel industry network representing travel agents and travel management companies.
Following the announcement in August that Advantage Travel Partnership was establishing a Global Business Travel Advisory Board, the board’s 14-strong membership has now been confirmed.
The new board includes representatives from the world of aviation, technology, accommodation and other disciplines, who will meet quarterly to provide unparalleled insights, skills and guidance to Advantage’s Global Business Travel senior leadership team, helping drive forward at pace its ambitious growth strategy and enhance support for members and partners.
Curated to bring together subject matter experts from across the global business travel industry, the new board will be tasked with supporting Advantage’s Global Business Travel’s ambitious goals and strategic direction, whilst elevating Advantage’s profile across the global business travel landscape as part of the evolution of its One-Stop Business Hub approach.
Andrea Caulfield-Smith, Managing Director, Advantage Global Business Travel and Chair of the Advisory Board said: “We’re proud to announce this incredible selection of key figures from across the business travel industry to form our Global Business Travel Advisory Board. Between them, they will be able to bring proven expertise and valuable strategic insights into all aspects of global business travel and help support the strategic development of our business, as well as help us remain laser focused on supporting our key objectives of sustained growth and ambitious plans for new product development for all our stakeholders.
"It is vital for us to remain agile in a rapidly evolving industry and we are continually looking to identify opportunities to help our stakeholders further succeed. This is the latest step as part of our strategic plan to drive a complete One-Stop Business Hub approach and we are looking forward to working together with the new advisory board to take bold steps and drive positive disruption in the business travel sector.”
Commenting on his appointment, Paul Cronje added: “I am honoured to have been asked to support Advantage Travel Partnership as a member of their new Global Business Travel Advisory Board.
“Clyde Travel Management has a long history with the Partnership, and alongside our Travel Management peers we share a motivation to ensure the prosperity of our industry.
“As well as doing what I can to help the Partnership succeed, I also aim to ensure that the voices of seafarers – Clyde’s primary service users - are heard in the travel industry, as their profession is vital in ensuring that economies thrive, and communities stay connected."
This new Advisory Board for Advantage’s Global Business Travel division is the first step in creating a new dynamic approach to all Advantage’s steering groups, which currently operate across the organisation, and seek to deliver a clear approach to delivering robust engagement activity in supporting its overall strategic activity with all its stakeholders.
The Global Business Travel Advisory Board includes:
Paul Cronje – Managing Director, Clyde Travel Management
Paul Cronje has been the Managing Director of marine and energy specialist, Clyde Travel Management, since 2017, and is a council member of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association.
Ashley Bowling – Vice President of Commercial Solutions Business Development, Europe, Mastercard
Ashley Bowling has over 20 years’ experience in the Commercial Payments industry having worked across the T&E, B2B, and Cross Border Payments segments.
Clive Wratten – CEO, The Business Travel Association
With over 40 years in travel, Clive Wratten has led industry advocacy, notably during Covid-19, and held leadership roles at Etihad, Gulf Air, and Amber Road.
Craig Burdett – Director of Operations, Media Flights
At Media Flights, Craig Burdett specialises in overseeing travel for productions and media companies.
David Oppenheim – Director of Global Sales, British Airways
David Oppenheim's team at British Airways is responsible for managing strong and successful relationships with agency and corporate partners worldwide.
Diogo Carvalho – Managing Partner, Travelcare
Diogo Carvalho is a key figure at Portuguese TMC Travelcare, which is also a representative of the Advantage Global Network, where he has worked for 10 years. He holds a degree in Economics and a Master’s in Commercial Management.
James Beagrie – Managing Director, Meon Valley Travel
James Beagrie is the antithesis of corporate blandness; he is a specially driven individual and profoundly knowledgeable on business travel.
Jeanette Harper – Senior Director - International Travel and Partnerships, Avis Budget Group
With over 15 years at Avis Budget Group, Jeanette Harper is responsible for driving sales and marketing strategies across the travel sector, including airlines, OTAs, TMCs, leisure accounts, financial card partners and loyalty partners.
Kim Renouf – Commercial Solutions and Business Development Director, Continental Travel
Kim Renouf has over 25 years of corporate travel experience in various roles from agent to customer success manager with experience in operations and personnel.
Jo Layton – CEO/Founder, Cap Worldwide
Jo Layton has extensive accommodation experience and a passion for ESG. Her career spans over 30 years in hospitality holding senior roles in Marriott, IHG and across the global extended-stay sector.
Matt Masson – CEO, CT Partners
Matt Masson brings 20 years of management experience in travel businesses across APAC. Currently he is the CEO of CT Partners, Australia's largest network of independent TMCs.
Michael E White Duarte, Vice President of Global Sales & Member Experience, Hickory Global Partners
Michael E White Duarte drives growth through strategic leadership and client success. With over 35 years in the travel industry, Michael has held leadership positions at American Express Global Business Travel, Air France, Northwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, giving him a broad, global perspective on sales and client success
Simon Ferguson – Senior Vice President, Modaxo
Simon Ferguson has over 20 years leadership experience in the travel and technology sectors and currently works at Modaxo, a global provider of technology to public/private transportation and aviation sectors.
Suzanne Horner – CEO, Gray Dawes Travel
Approaching 40 years in the industry, with a career that spans retail, Leisure, Technology and Corporate Travel. Suzanne is the leader of one of the fastest-growing independent TMCs in the UK and has built a solid Global footprint.
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