Advisory and executive search firm established to identify future travel leaders

An advisory and executive search firm has been created to support travel businesses prepare for the next era of leadership.

Fierra has been set up by consumer leadership specialist Elliott Goldstein, who has 20 years of experience in the sector.

He believes travel and leisure businesses need leaders who think technology-first, can develop new revenue models and respond to rapidly evolving customer expectations.

The organisations that will thrive over the next decade are those led by executives who combine operational excellence with digital innovation, international perspective and the ability to anticipate changing traveller expectations before they become mainstream, according to Goldstein.

He travelled to more than 20 countries last year to meet business leaders, observe emerging consumer trends and understand how leadership challenges are evolving across global markets. 

He also meets more than 1,000 consumer leaders each year as part of his ongoing research and advisory work.

Goldstein said: “Travel businesses have had to reinvent themselves more than almost any other consumer sector over the past five years. The next generation of leaders will need to combine operational excellence with digital capability, commercial agility and a genuinely international perspective.

“We’re also seeing innovation emerge from far more diverse markets than ever before. Businesses can no longer afford to look only at traditional competitors or talent pools within travel - the most successful leaders are those who understand and anticipate where the industry is heading globally, not just what’s happening in their own market.”

He added: “The strongest travel businesses are constantly looking beyond their own sector for ideas, talent and inspiration. They’re building leadership teams with broader perspectives, stronger international networks and the ability to anticipate changing customer expectations before they become mainstream.

“Executive search is only one piece of the puzzle. The real opportunity lies in helping businesses think more strategically about leadership - identifying the capabilities they’ll need three, five or even ten years from now - before building teams that are ready for what’s next.”

As well as travel and leisure, Fierra works across hospitality, retail, grocery and FMCG, consumer healthcare, fashion and luxury.