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.
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.
Michael McCormick - Head of Partnerships VisitBritain
Michael has worked with VisitBritain since 2001 in a number of senior marketing roles both based in Head Office and overseas. These roles include Head of Partnerships, Country Manager Australia & New Zealand and Country Manager for South East Asia.
Prior to this Michael was Marketing Operations Director for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and set up the Northern Ireland Conference Bureau.
Caroline Strachan - International Travel Manager Yahoo!
As International Travel Manager at Yahoo!, Caroline Strachan oversees Europe and Asia Pacific travel management, across 20+ countries. Caroline’s responsibilities include strategic programme development, supplier management, a multi-level approach to internal stakeholder engagement and initiative leadership.
Previously, Caroline held the position of EMEA Travel Operations Manager for Cisco Systems. Tasked with the overall transient travel management for EMEA and Global Group Travel. With over eighteen years experience in travel management, Caroline has worked as both a supplier & buyer. Much of her experience was gained in a management role with American Express Groups & Events and subsequently as Divisional Head of BTI UK Groups & Meetings Division.
Outside of work Caroline loves to bake and will quite often use her sweet treats to help drive stakeholder buy in!