Business Travel Association makes board appointments 

Internova Travel Group vice president Francesca Mendola and Take2Eton Group chief executive James Parkhouse have been appointed to the board of the Business Travel Association.

Anna Watters, vice president of global pricing and revenue management at American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), will also be joining the board to provide maternity cover for Rachel Tonge, vice president SME client management EMEA, who is stepping down from June.

Mendola oversees independent travel agency owners across corporate, luxury leisure and entertainment sectors at Internova.

She was named 2023 ‘Rising Star’ at The People’s Awards and voted one of the Association of Women Travel Executive’s Top 70 Inspiring Women.

Parkhouse has more than 25 years’ experience in business travel leadership roles, joining Take2Eton Group’s senior management team as global chief excutive last year to drive further growth of the TMC’s strong transatlantic customer service and technology proposition. 

Prior to this, he spent 15 years as chief executive of Agiito, now part of Clarity Business Travel. Parkhouse was also a former BTA board director for four years.

Watters, with more than eight years travel industry experience,  brings extensive expertise in revenue management, commercial strategy, pricing and analytics. 

BTA board interim chair Mervyn Williamson said: “We are delighted to welcome Francesca, James, and Anna to the board. Their experience and expertise will undoubtedly strengthen the BTA as we continue to champion the business travel sector. 

“I look forward to working closely with our new appointees on strategy for the BTA this year and upcoming events and opportunities.”

Mendola said: “I am thrilled to be joining the BTA board at such a pivotal time for the industry. I look forward to contributing to its ongoing efforts to drive innovation and ensure that the work and needs of TMCs continues to be championed.”

Parkhouse added: “It’s an honour to re-join the BTA board and continue working alongside industry leaders to shape the future of business travel. 

“As we navigate evolving traveller expectations, I look forward to contributing my cross-industry expertise to help the BTA drive meaningful change and deliver continued value to its members.”