THE GTMC COLUMN PAUL WAIT
Paul Wait is chief executive of the Guild of Travel Management Companies (
gtmc.org)
MOVERS & SHAKERS
A FRESH START I
WITH THE NEW YEAR JUST AROUND THE CORNER, IT’S TIME TO SHAKE THINGS UP…
t’s that time of year again. December is fast approaching, and thoughts inevitably turn to what we should do differently in 2015. While many of us set personal goals to exercise more or to eat less, the end of the year also serves as a pivotal point for the business travel industry to provide new plans and new energy. So here are my top four resolutions that I’d like to see for the business travel industry in 2015:
RYANAIR TO PUT ITS MONEY WHERE ITS MOUTH IS Ryanair has a long way to go in convincing business travellers that it is a viable airline for their needs if it is looking to emulate what other carriers in the low-cost bracket have done. Destination mix and standards of service are just a few examples of what Ryanair needs in order to become a real contender in the business travel market.
DAVID THOMAS
IMMEDIATE ACTION ON THE AIRPORTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS If the UK’s infrastructure is going to continue to compete head-on with the world’s other power economies, then the time for action is now. A decision on Britain’s future airport capacity must be made as soon as the dust has settled on next year’s general election. Whichever party finds itself in power must get behind Sir Howard Davies or face jeopardising the UK’s economic recovery.
EXPORT-LED RECOVERY DRIVING FURTHER APD REFORMS UK businesses need to embrace the government’s nod to Air Passenger Duty (APD) reform as addressed by Chancellor George Osborne in his last budget. Increasing international trade is a much-needed part of economic recovery, and if the government believes businesses haven’t embraced the changes with enough enthusiasm, we face a danger in the future that decisions could be reversed or slowed. In 2015, businesses need to do everything they can to prevent that from happening.
GREATER TAKE-UP OF THE GOVERNMENT-BACKED TRAILBLAZERS APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME Shockingly, just seven per cent of the GTMC members’ workforce is under the age of 24. Investing in talent is critical. The new government-backed Trailblazers apprenticeship scheme, championed by the GTMC, is designed to address this. In 2015 I’m hoping people from across the industry will lend their support to what is an important step in future-proofing our industry.
94 BBT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
David Thomas has joined Statesman Travel as the TMC’s sales director after joining from Portman Travel. Thomas has more than 15 years in business travel where he has also worked for FCM Travel Solutions and TQ3 Travel Solutions.
NICK BARTON Luton airport has appointed Nick Barton as its new CEO to lead a £100 million
expansion project. Barton was previously managing director at Stansted airport. Luton’s executive chairman Clive Condie reverts to his previous role as chairman.
BBT ROUNDS UP THE LATEST BUSINESS TRAVEL INDUSTRY APPOINTMENTS
CHRIS TRUSS
Capita Travel and Events has recruited Chris Truss as director of consulting services for air, rail and ground transportation. Truss has spent 15 years in the travel and events industry, including the last seven as a global business manager for HRG.
STEVE ALLEN
Steve Allen has been appointed as Portman Travel’s new chief executive, taking over from Michael Hare, who becomes Portman’s president, focusing on international strategy. Allen will concentrate on developing Portman’s UK business.
ARND SCHWIERHOLZ Air Berlin has appointed Arnd Schwierholz as deputy chief financial officer. Schwierholz has joined from LSG Sky Chefs, where he was chief financial officer. He has previously worked for investment bank UBS and for Lufthansa.
DARREN BANHAM Chapman Freeborn has promoted Darren Banham to the position of president of the air chartering specialist’s US business. Banham, who first joined Chapman Freeborn in 2001, will oversee the management of the company in North and Latin America.
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
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