Page 18 - CTM Travel Matters magazine
P. 18
| CTM INSIGHT
NEW FACES
The charismatic individual who Chris Thelen, LONDON
created Chambers Travel Management, CEO North America for CTM HOTELS
masterminded its undoubted success
across Europe and beyond over “IT IS IMPORTANT BRAVE THE
the last decade and secured a like- FOR US TO HAVE STORM
minded partner in Corporate Travel A VISIONARY AND
Management (CTM) last year, has DYNAMIC CEO TO Hotel occupancy in London showed
moved to pastures new in the group. LEAD OUR U.S. TEAM its sixth consecutive quarter of year-
AND MAXIMISE THOSE on-year decline with Brexit poised to
Chris Thelen has crossed the pond OPPORTUNITIES” subdue the sector further, reports the
to take up the position of CEO North latest Hotel Bulletin: Q2 2016 published
America for CTM, to spearhead growth Carling’s extensive career in business by HVS, AlixPartners and AM:PM.
there on the back of two recent travel spans 30 years.
acquisitions, Montrose Travel and The Bulletin cites increased global
Travizon Travel. The US is now CTMs The two moves will help consolidate terrorism activity and less US tourists
largest global market. the recent flurry of activity within CTM. due to the impending US presidential
Although Thelen will be based at CTM’s elections. These factors have also
“It is important for us to have a head office in Denver, he will travel to dampened demand in other major
visionary and dynamic CEO to lead Europe regularly and play an active role European cities. For London, it has
our US team and maximise those in key client relationships in the region. meant a 2% decline in London’s RevPAR
opportunities,” said CTM MD Jamie compared with Q2 2015 and average
Pherous. “I am extremely pleased that “This is definitely not ‘goodbye’,” rates failing to increase for the second
Chris Thelen is taking on this role, he said. “There is huge potential to consecutive quarter.
bringing his unique blend of innovation, increase CTM’s client base not only in
creativity and business travel acumen to the USA, but also business across the Despite this, HVS chairman Russell
our US operations.” CTM global network originating from Kett believes the longer-term future for
the US.” the city’s hotel sector is still positive.
Sitting in his place in London as CEO
EMEA is Debbie Carling, formerly CTM CTM now operates in over 20 cities Around the country, RevPAR growth
Europe’s COO. in the USA. North America is now the was highest in BIrmingham (16%) and
company’s largest market with total lowest in Newcastle (-4%).
She has been with the company since annual transaction value above US$1
2011 and has overseen the company’s billion FY17, ranking CTM in the Top 10 WE WANT TO
operations during a period of rapid travel management companies in the HEAR FROM YOU
growth, during which time Chambers USA only four years after entering the
has become a leading pan-European market. We value your opinions and
TMC and transitioned into the European ideas on the contents of
anchor for CTM. Travel Matters. Please email
Other moves in the London marketing@eu.travelctm.com
HQ include Marketing Manager with any feedback on the
Scott Alboni being promoted magazine or any ideas you
to Marketing Director EMEA may have for future articles.
following the departure of
Marketing & Events Director Frits
de Kok.
www.travelctm.co.uk
NEW FACES
The charismatic individual who Chris Thelen, LONDON
created Chambers Travel Management, CEO North America for CTM HOTELS
masterminded its undoubted success
across Europe and beyond over “IT IS IMPORTANT BRAVE THE
the last decade and secured a like- FOR US TO HAVE STORM
minded partner in Corporate Travel A VISIONARY AND
Management (CTM) last year, has DYNAMIC CEO TO Hotel occupancy in London showed
moved to pastures new in the group. LEAD OUR U.S. TEAM its sixth consecutive quarter of year-
AND MAXIMISE THOSE on-year decline with Brexit poised to
Chris Thelen has crossed the pond OPPORTUNITIES” subdue the sector further, reports the
to take up the position of CEO North latest Hotel Bulletin: Q2 2016 published
America for CTM, to spearhead growth Carling’s extensive career in business by HVS, AlixPartners and AM:PM.
there on the back of two recent travel spans 30 years.
acquisitions, Montrose Travel and The Bulletin cites increased global
Travizon Travel. The US is now CTMs The two moves will help consolidate terrorism activity and less US tourists
largest global market. the recent flurry of activity within CTM. due to the impending US presidential
Although Thelen will be based at CTM’s elections. These factors have also
“It is important for us to have a head office in Denver, he will travel to dampened demand in other major
visionary and dynamic CEO to lead Europe regularly and play an active role European cities. For London, it has
our US team and maximise those in key client relationships in the region. meant a 2% decline in London’s RevPAR
opportunities,” said CTM MD Jamie compared with Q2 2015 and average
Pherous. “I am extremely pleased that “This is definitely not ‘goodbye’,” rates failing to increase for the second
Chris Thelen is taking on this role, he said. “There is huge potential to consecutive quarter.
bringing his unique blend of innovation, increase CTM’s client base not only in
creativity and business travel acumen to the USA, but also business across the Despite this, HVS chairman Russell
our US operations.” CTM global network originating from Kett believes the longer-term future for
the US.” the city’s hotel sector is still positive.
Sitting in his place in London as CEO
EMEA is Debbie Carling, formerly CTM CTM now operates in over 20 cities Around the country, RevPAR growth
Europe’s COO. in the USA. North America is now the was highest in BIrmingham (16%) and
company’s largest market with total lowest in Newcastle (-4%).
She has been with the company since annual transaction value above US$1
2011 and has overseen the company’s billion FY17, ranking CTM in the Top 10 WE WANT TO
operations during a period of rapid travel management companies in the HEAR FROM YOU
growth, during which time Chambers USA only four years after entering the
has become a leading pan-European market. We value your opinions and
TMC and transitioned into the European ideas on the contents of
anchor for CTM. Travel Matters. Please email
Other moves in the London marketing@eu.travelctm.com
HQ include Marketing Manager with any feedback on the
Scott Alboni being promoted magazine or any ideas you
to Marketing Director EMEA may have for future articles.
following the departure of
Marketing & Events Director Frits
de Kok.
www.travelctm.co.uk
