The Business Travel Association (BTA) has appointed three new members on its executive board.
They are Rachel Tonge, vice president for SME client management in the EMEA region at American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT); Vicki Williams, UK and Ireland country manager at TravelPerk; and James Diaz, UK chief executive at Travel Planet.
Tonge has worked across different roles at Amex GBT, including UK general manager and strategic global transformation.
Williams has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, with previous roles at Click Travel and Amex GBT.
Diaz joined Travel Planet in 2021, with previous roles at Amex GBT and Amex GCP, focusing on sales and global business development respectively.
He entered the travel industry after running an executive chauffeur company in London, which he sold to ComfortDelgro, a Singaporean transport giant.
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Suzanne Horner, chair of the BTA, welcomed the three new voices, adding: “These exciting appointments bring fresh perspectives and a wealth of expertise to our boardroom.
“We are already anticipating the impact their unique contributions will bring to our strategic vision.”
Clive Wratten, chief executive of the BTA, said: “It’s fantastic to see our executive board growing, especially with such young talent.
“I’m confident that our new directors will each play a key role in helping the BTA navigate the challenges the travel industry faces in the post-pandemic world.”
Tonge commented: “As an industry, we need to keep our focus on improving customer experiences. I’m looking forward to supporting BTA members and partners in delivering the best customer service experience possible.”
Williams said: “As a huge advocate for delivering a seven-star experience throughout the entire customer lifecycle, joining the BTA executive board is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with industry peers and ensure we are always striving to push boundaries. I am so excited to get started to help change the industry for the better.”
Diaz added: “Joining the BTA executive board is a fantastic opportunity to really evaluate how the travel industry needs to develop.
“I want to work with the rest of the board to find out how BTA members and partners can best optimise their processes, increase their revenue and foster a culture that they’re proud of.”
Pictured from left: Rachel Tonge, Amex GBT; James Diaz, Travel Planet; and Vicki Williams, TravelPerk.