UK: SilverDoor has appointed global corporate travel management specialist Pauline Houston as Vice president of business development.
Formerly VP of global commercial enablement at BCD Travel, Houston brings 20 years’ experience in the TMC, MICE, and hotel sales sectors, and will join the senior management team of the global serviced apartment agent.
Having consulted for, and worked with, a large number of FTSE 250 and Fortune 500 companies, Houston will be “integral in implementing SilverDoor’s five-year strategy to expand its global client base and office network”.
Earlier this year, she launched HUGS UK, a volunteer, not for profit organisation with the primary aim of helping hotel, travel and events industry individuals who have been displaced by the pandemic to be well equipped to secure their next role by promoting supporting organisations, job openings, training, and development opportunities.
SilverDoor Group CEO Stuart Winstone said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be welcoming someone with Pauline’s extensive experience to SilverDoor. I can think of very few people who are as well-respected and knowledgeable in corporate travel procurement and booking technology as Pauline. Pauline will bring a level of insight and strategic expertise that we are confident will help us further consolidate our position as the world’s leading serviced apartment agent, and capitalise on the huge growth potential that serviced apartments have in the coming months and years”
Houston added: “As we go through the pandemic, the benefits of serviced apartments are now more widely recognised by travel managers and business travel management companies than ever before. This makes it a very exciting time for me to join SilverDoor, who have always had a very strong reputation in this sector. I very much look forward to being part of the team who lead this next important journey in SilverDoor’s growth and development. I believe apartments are really going to have their moment and I am extremely excited to be part of it”
Houston will be working remotely with regular travel between SilverDoor’s five global offices and to see clients and prospects in all global regions. Her appointment will take the female representation at SilverDoor’s board and senior management level to a 50 per cent equal gender split.
Chief people officer Imogen Brettell said: “Clearly many businesses have a long way to go before they reach gender equality, but at SilverDoor we strongly believe that diversity at all levels makes us a stronger, more innovative and forward-thinking company. We are therefore delighted to be performing well above average for our representation of women at senior levels and we are delighted to be welcoming Pauline to SilverDoor.”</p
