The Business Travel Association (BTA) has bolstered its Executive Board with two senior industry appointments, naming Joanna Hillman, Director of European Development at Reed & Mackay, and Claire Womersley, Director, Multinational Clients at American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), as its newest directors.
The appointments bring more than 50 years of combined sector experience to the trade body, which represents the UK’s leading travel management companies, and come at a moment when the managed travel sector is grappling with rapid technological change and shifting corporate buying behaviour.
Hillman joins the board with 27 years in the business travel industry. She began her career as a business travel consultant before climbing the ranks into senior leadership, spending the bulk of her career at CWT, now part of Amex GBT, followed by a stint at WNS. In her current role at Reed & Mackay, she oversees sales teams across the TMC’s European markets.
Womersley, meanwhile, brings 24 years of experience accrued entirely at Amex GBT. She has held a range of senior posts at the global TMC, including a spell on the Global Supplier Partnerships team where she led some of the company’s largest and most strategically important supplier relationships. She moved to the Global Multinational Client team last year and now manages partnerships with a portfolio of key multinational accounts.
Douglas O’Neill, Chair of the BTA Board, said the appointments reflected the association’s ambition to broaden the range of voices shaping the industry’s direction. “Growth at the BTA isn’t just about numbers, it’s about bringing in the right voices,” he said. “Joanna and Claire bring a wealth of experience to our Executive Board, and I’m eager to see how their unique perspectives will help us further positively impact the industry.”
Hillman (pictured) said her appointment offered a chance to influence the wider conversation around managed travel. “Being a part of the BTA board will allow me to truly contribute to the conversation surrounding the business travel industry,” she said. “I look forward to working with the rest of the board to help steer the industry and support Travel Management Companies in moving in the right direction.”
Womersley pointed to the rising expectations of corporate travellers and the growing role of data in modern travel programmes. “Business travellers expect seamless, intelligent solutions that go beyond basic logistics,” she said. “Managed travel is more important than ever in today’s environment, and TMCs, powered by advanced analytics and digital tools, empower organisations to optimise every aspect of their travel programmes, and grow their business.”
She added: “As we navigate an evolving business landscape, I’m excited to advocate on behalf of our industry and help move it forward. I look forward to sharing my perspective on key industry trends as we drive meaningful change together.”