Power Players: 10 To Watch

Matt Brittin: director of uk operations, Google

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:42:26 GMT

One to watch, as when the search giant sneezes, almost everyone catches a cold. Has the ability to send shivers down the spines of marketers and accountants alike.

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David Cameron: Conservative Party leader

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:40:25 GMT

Once a general election is called, Cameron could take over the running of the country and, with that, a different stance on many tourism and travel-related issues, including Heathrow’s new runway.

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Photo: Etienne Ansotte / Isopix / Rex Features

Marc Charron: managing director, Europe, TripAdvisor

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:38:26 GMT

Recent business-to-business deals with VisitBritain and easyJet Holidays have strengthened TripAdvisor’s UK position. Charron oversees the user review pioneer’s UK and European operations – a business that will introduce a meta search engine in the UK later this year, causing yet another stir in the online marketplace.

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Stephanie Draper: director, change strategies, Forum for the Future

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:36:58 GMT

With 12 years’ experience helping businesses with sustainability issues, Draper has become an authority. She heads up the Forum when it comes to the travel and tourism sector.

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Tony Fernandes: chief executive, Air Asia X

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:21:02 GMT

Fernandes’s dream of making long-haul travel more affordable culminated with Air Asia X’s inaugural flight to Kuala Lumpur in March. He has even managed to attract investment from former boss Sir Richard Branson.

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Mark Lynas: environmentalist and author

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:19:49 GMT

Lynas is a climate change expert, author and blogger on the subject. His four books, which include Six Degrees – Our Future on a Hotter Planet, explore the impact of global warming over the next century.

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Geoff Muirhead: chief executive, Manchester Airport Group (MAG)

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:18:36 GMT

Muirhead joined Manchester airport in 1988, becoming chief executive in 1994, before taking the group role in 2001. MAG owns East Midlands and Humberside airports, and is interested in acquiring Gatwick.

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Ian Oakley-Smith: director, Pricewaterhouse-Coopers

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:17:16 GMT

As an insolvency expert, Oakley-Smith is likely to be pivotal this year as the economic downturn pushes travel businesses to the wall.

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Liz Savage: managing director, Monarch Flights and Holidays

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:15:54 GMT

Savage’s role recently expanded to take in all Monarch’s business-to-consumer business, including hotels. Last year she was named ‘Young Manager of the Year’ in the Travel Industry Hall of Fame awards.

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Gareth Williams: co-founder and chief executive, Skyscanner

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:14:24 GMT

One of three founders of Skyscanner, and a runner-up in the Scottish Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2008, the digital world is watching for Williams’ next move.

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