UK: Adrian Parkes, chief executive of the Guild of Travel Management Companies, has announced his retirement and will step down from his role this summer.
Following a career in the travel sector which included senior roles at bmi (British Midland Airways), Etihad Airways, and Travel Management Company (TMC), Portman (now a part of Clarity), Parkes took up the role of GTMC CEO in September 2017.
In his time at the helm of the GTMC, Parkes has “pioneered an education programme as part of his passion for sustaining the business travel industry into the future, launching partnerships with Universities and training providers’.
Parkes has overseen a turbulent time in the industry with major regulatory changes, the advancement of NDC and the uncertainty of Brexit that have all required the focus and attention of GTMC. In 2018 he initiated the GTMC Entrepreneurs in Business Travel Award.
Paul Allan, chairman of the GTMC, said: “I am extremely proud and grateful for all that has been achieved during Adrian’s leadership of the GTMC. Not least, he has been instrumental in shaping relations with both IATA and the leading European Travel Associations, as NDC becomes more and more a reality. Additionally, he has been the driving force behind the strides the GTMC has taken to future-proof the sector through various education initiatives. He will be leaving with our thanks and very best wishes. We have started the process to appoint the next GTMC CEO and we look forward to sharing news of the appointment in due course.”
The GTMC’s membership accounts for more than 90 per cent of UK expenditure on managed business travel. Its 52 industry partners include airlines, train operators, accommodation providers, technology providers and more.</p
