Judges’ Profile:
Mark Avery - Head of Business ServicesPricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Within PwC Mark has responsibility for a number of central business functions all of which have a very strong customer service and procurement focus. With responsibility for some significant areas, such as UK Travel Management, External Meeting Services, UK Training Centres, Corporate Charge Card, Business Insurance, Car Fleet, Video Conferencing and Ground Transportation to name but a few.
In January 2008 he stepped down from the position of Chairman of the Institute of Travel Management (ITM) following a two year tenure. In the past two years the ITM has gone from strength to strength, a buyer lead national association for travel management with 1000 members, it was established some 51 years ago the mission is to establish and develop best practice in travel and related services through education, innovation, and ethical standards.
Mark started his working life, working and studying to be a Mechanical Engineer, designing Power Stations! before moving into general business management and now the Corporate Travel and Meetings world.
Bernadette Basterfield International Head of Travel, JPMChase
Bernadette Basterfield, with over 20 years experience in Travel Management Bernadette has worked in a variety of roles in Sales & Account Management with independent and multinational TMC's including Amex. Working closely with a diverse mix of corporate accounts Bernadette has gained extensive experience in delivering against expectations in the fast moving dynamic travel space.
Having made the transition into the corporate world with JPMChase Bernadette brings her knowledge and expertise into her role as Head of International Travel. Working across many lines of business within the bank in various markets her primary role is to deliver value and efficiency to the businesses. Being at the "sharp end" of challenging conventional thinking around business travel is key.
Laurence Bresh - Regional Director, Europe VISITBRITAIN
Laurence was appointed as Regional Director, Europe in September 2008 with strategic responsibility for VisitBritain’s operations and marketing in 18 countries.
Previously he held the position of General Manager of England Marketing at VisitBritain, in which capacity he led the 20-strong team responsible for the marketing of England to the British and in key European markets. The role involved all aspects of marketing, the development of the suite of enjoyEngland.com web sites and VisitBritain’s tourist information centre strategy.
Laurence has worked in senior communications and marketing roles for the last 15 years, starting at food retailer Safeway Stores plc. Later he moved to the British Tourist Authority in the role of Head of Campaigns where he was responsible for global marketing.
He then worked in a business-to-business capacity as the Head of Marketing for the UK’s leading e-learning agency, Epic Group plc, where he also provided online marketing consultancy to some of the UK’s top 100 plc’s.
Before taking on marketing roles, Laurence worked as a journalist for London Weekend Television and several national newspapers.
He lives in Hove and is a regular user of Eurostar’s services!
Stephane Durand - Managing Director Amadeus UK & Ireland
Stephane Durand joined Amadeus head office in 1999 as Director, in charge of hotel, car, rail, and cruise bookings. During this time Amadeus launched the industry’s leading cruise sales solution and he helped accelerate the growth in hotel bookings with the acquisition of Optims.
Since joining Amadeus UK and Ireland as Managing Director in 2004 Stephane has spearheaded significant growth in market share to 33% (Q2 2008), with particular emphasis on evolving Amadeus' position as a holistic technology partner for the travel industry.
Stephane joined Amadeus after ten years at Europcar where he held a variety of managerial positions in the US and Europe.
Colin Goldney – Senior PartnerMD of Argate
Colin is Senior Partner and MD of Argate - a business consultancy that works with the majority of the key players across the aviation, rail, hotel, GDS, TMC and Leisure/Tour Op sectors. Colin also advises within the Media, Telecoms, Financial Service and Private Equity Markets as well as being a member of the Institute of Travel Management’s Research Advisory panel.
Prior to being one of the founders of Argate, Colin spent 9 years within the various Sales and Marketing divisions of Shell, followed by 4 years heading up American Express’ European Marketing Team for Business Travel.
Bill Maxwell - Director Institute of Travel and Tourism
Bill is a senior travel and tourism industry executive who has a depth and breadth of experience that spans tour operating, travel distribution, the transport industry, industry governance and regulation, and public sector tourism. He holds directorships with the Institute of Travel and Tourism.
Bill has served as a board member of ABTA and currently serves on ABTA Membership and Code of Conduct committees. His career spans over 30 years providing specialist travel and tourism industry advice and guidance.