Advantage Travel Partnership has appointed Simon Bennett as head of business travel commercial and innovation.
The former head of air at online travel agent lastminute.com, who has previously sat on Abta’s aviation committee, takes up the newly-created role at the consortium.
He joins from travel management company Key Travel, where he was global head of product in a role responsible for developing in-house technology and managing innovation and will report into Neil Armorgie, chief executive of Advantage-owned travel management consortium WIN Global Travel Network.
“I am genuinely excited to be joining the Advantage team and cannot wait to meet the members,” said Bennett. “I look forward to utilising my skills and experience from a commercial and technical standpoint, to bring exciting and relevant products to the membership.
“The vision we have for the Advantage Travel Partnership is to ensure we continue to lead the way in offering the widest range of airline content and commercial arrangements, and the best in class technology providers.”
Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Simon to the Advantage Travel Partnership team. We continue to build on our future vision and develop the people structure as we continue to grow the consortia. It is an exciting time for us, and we look forward to working with Simon.”
Bennett’s appointment comes after Lee Ainsworth was promoted to head of Advantage Holidays and Olga Kelly promoted to head of people and talent.
Group commercial director, and board member, Paula Lacey, announced in August that she would be leaving the consortium this month to relocate to Dubai.