How does it feel to win the ITM Travel Buyer of the Year Award?
I am ecstatic. I am passionate about this category and know the value we buyers bring to our organisations, so the recognition makes it very worthwhile.

How did you get into business travel?
I started my career at Thomas Cook as a travel agent in the centre of London. I soon realised that I enjoyed helping people and an opportunity to get into business travel was an obvious next step. Helping organisations optimise spend, stay safe and have the best experience is something that attracted me to this area.

What do you enjoy most about your role?
Developing people. I like to give back as much of what I have learnt and get great satisfaction when my team members develop and grow.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career in business travel?
Go for it! The changing landscape makes it exciting. I have been in the industry for 30 years and I am still learning something new every day. You become part of a large eco system that helps generate growth and GDP.

What are you seeing as the biggest challenge in business travel over the next 12 months?
Distribution is at the core of every buyer’s challenges today as the eco system is changing around us and at different stages, airlines, TMC and OBT are all at different phases. As a buyer you are looking for a future travel programme that embraces all these positive changes which will improve our travellers’ journey and elevate our programmes. The other challenge is how we bring more diverse suppliers into our programmes which is a top priority for my team and me. Lastly is our goal to become net zero by 2040 and the important part we play in our organisations in meeting that goal.

If you could change one single thing in business travel, what would it be?
Nothing.

What’s the favourite place you’ve travelled to and why?
The Maldives - blue skies, golden beaches and being alone with the three most important people in my life: my three girls.

What would be your Desert Island item?
Mobile phone