Start-up company utc.travel has appointed experienced industry leaders Steve Allen, Jo Rzymowska and Chris Photi to its advisory board in a bid to grow the business.
The company operates a subscription travel club model promising clients holidays at “trade prices”, with up to 40% off hotels and access to “affordable” flights.
It said it is “focused on providing better solutions for businesses with a relevant, cost-effective employee benefit solution combining exclusive travel savings and lifestyle perks, which allow businesses to elevate their appeal to candidates and employees”.
Allen, Rzymowska and Photi have been recruited to the advisory board because of their “strategic expertise and business leadership”.
Chief executive Brett Norton said: “The creation of the advisory board witnesses the next stage in the development of utc.travel. We are delighted to have such talented and experienced individuals supporting us as we scale the business.”
Allen held leadership roles at companies including dnata, Portman Travel and Tui. He also held non-executive director positions at Abta and Harp Wallen.
Rzymowska left a 40-year career in leadership roles across the travel industry, latterly at Celebrity Cruises, to dedicate herself to coaching and mentoring the next generation of businesses and individuals. She is non-executive director with Hays Travel.
Photi is the longest-standing principal at White Hart Associates and oversees its travel and leisure team. He advises companies on travel regulation licensing and bonding frameworks alongside travel-specific auditing, accounting and taxation issues. He has more than 300 clients.
On its website, UTC claims that 91% of member searches made last year offered prices cheaper than the main online travel agents, with members “typically saving £252 per booking”.
Describing its model, it says: “When you book with a typical travel agent or online holiday company, the price you pay will usually include a large amount of commission or mark-up added on top (sometimes as much as 40%). The commission or mark-up is how a typical travel company makes money, however, we work differently.
“For a small subscription fee we remove the commission and enable you to book your worldwide travel at the trade price with no commission or additional mark-up on top. This allows you to pay the best price every time and save as much as 40%.”
Photo (from left): Jo Rzymowska, Steve Allen and Chris Photi