Power Players: The Top 40

Roger Allard: chairman, All Leisure Group

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:06:35 GMT

Allard works hard and plays hard, according to anecdotes about legendary pranks from former colleagues. His career spans more than three decades, from charter-broker Owners Abroad (now First Choice/TUI Travel) to cruising for the over-55s business All Leisure, and much in between. He is credited with the XL repatriation programme by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

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Mikael Andersson: vice-president EMEA, Expedia

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:04:53 GMT

Andersson is instrumental in Expedia’s global expansion, stating at a recent briefing that the goal was at least two new markets every year, with Russia believed to be high on the agenda. He has also been involved in the online giant’s launch of a travel agents’ affiliate scheme in the UK.

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Tricia Barnett: director, Tourism Concern

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:03:29 GMT

As director of Tourism Concern, the charity fighting exploitation in the tourism industry, Barnett has been tirelessly raising awareness of tourism’s impact on local people for more than 16 years. She is a trustee of The Travel Foundation, which encourages the tourism industry to operate sustainably, to benefit destinations and their communities.

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Giovanni Bisignani: director-general and chief executive, IATA

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

As head of IATA since 2002, Bisignani is an authority on aviation. He has been responsible for reshaping the organisation, as well as spearheading the e-ticketing initiative, and ensuring IATA’s voice is heard in the climate change debate.

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Dermot Blastland: managing director, TUI Travel UK and Ireland

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:00:31 GMT

Blastland is a vociferous member of the travel industry, with plenty to say on serious issues, including Air Passenger Duty (APD) and consumer protection. He has risen through the ranks of First Choice, taking a seat on the board in 1999 after 10 years with the company, and was one of the first senior executives to push green onto the agenda.

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Andrew Botterill: managing director, Stella Travel Services UK

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:59:00 GMT

Botterill’s role widened in 2009, from chief executive of Global Travel Group to boss of Stella UK, including Travel 2, Travelbag and Global. He has driven a restructure of the business, and is now consolidating the changes. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Triton superconsortium.

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Sir Richard Branson: chairman, Virgin Group

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:57:41 GMT

Never shying away from the media, Branson is a ‘Marmite’ character, attracting polarised public opinions of him. He is much admired for his business acumen and willingness to take risks, both in the boardroom and in his adventures at large, which have enabled him to build up an empire of consumer brands.

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Peter Brown: chief executive, Monarch Travel Group

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:56:19 GMT

Brown became group chief in 2007 after five years as chief executive of Monarch Airlines, and seven years as a board director for Cosmos and Avro. He is an authoritative figure across both the travel and aviation sectors, and has been chairman of the Charter Airline Group UK since 2005.

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Gordon Brown: Prime Minister

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:55:02 GMT

As leader of the country, Brown could make or break the travel industry. Key government policy decisions in the coming months on ATOL protection and the Air Travel Trust Fund, APD, incoming tourism investment and other crucial business issues will have far-reaching consequences for consumers and the industry.

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Photo: Rex Features

Harry Bush: group director of economic regulation, CAA

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:53:23 GMT

A board member and group director of economic regulation, Bush is influential in policy decisions that affect the whole industry. Prior to joining the CAA, he headed the Enterprise and Growth Unit at the Treasury.

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Andy Cooper: director of government and external affairs, Thomas Cook

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:51:47 GMT

Cooper is one of the true godfathers of travel, and an authority on issues affecting the sector. Who better to take on a lobbying role for one of the UK’s largest tour companies? He built up the Federation of Tour Operators, raising its profile from near-obscurity before its merger with ABTA.

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Michelle Di Leo: director, Flying Matters

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:49:08 GMT

Di Leo is an effective lobbyist in her role at the head of the pro-aviation group Flying Matters, which continues to demonstrate the importance of aviation to the UK economy. She was also heavily involved in the Freedom to Fly campaign in 2003.

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David Dingle: chief executive, Carnival UK

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:47:55 GMT

A sound shipping man, Dingle took over the helm of parent company Carnival UK in 2007, after four years as managing director. He was awarded a CBE in this year’s New Year’s Honours list, for services to shipping. He has influenced cruising and the wider industry, including the Passenger Shipping Association and ABTA, during his stint as president.

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Graham Donoghue: managing director, Travelsupermarket

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:46:46 GMT

Donoghue grabbed the attention of the mainstream industry as new media director at Thomson, by turning the operator’s digital strategy on its head. He joined meta search giant travelsupermarket.com just over a year ago, and has seen it maintain its strong position among top online players.

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Michael East: chairman, Eastcastle Management Group

Nathan Midgley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:45:32 GMT

You would think that a portfolio of companies including e-tid, Argyle Recruitment and Kingley Event Management would keep East busy, but his skills as a consultant and consummate networker mean that he also has his finger on the pulse of industry issues.

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