The Partners
Martin Ferguson
Martin has spent nearly two decades in the global business travel sector, helping organizations explain what they do and why it matters. He began his career as a journalist before moving into industry roles focused on communications, public affairs and events.
He previously served as VP of global communications, public affairs and events at American Express Global Business Travel, where as part of the senior leadership team he provided counsel to the CEO and executive leadership team, and led the business through several major acquisitions and an IPO.
Earlier, Martin ran EMEA communications for Sabre Holdings before establishing an independent advisory practice supporting travel companies, technology firms and industry associations.
Alongside his advisory work, Martin is a speechwriter and an experienced conference moderator, regularly working with senior industry leaders . He served six years on the board of the Institute of Travel Management, sits on the GBTA Europe Advisory Board, and was co-founder of the Business Travel People Awards.
Sallyanne Heywood
Sallyanne is a senior communications strategist with deep experience in the business travel and corporate services sector. Formerly head of communications and marketing at HRG and VP of communications at Amex GBT, she has led global PR campaigns, C-suite visibility programs, and product launches for leading travel and tech brands. She specializes in making complex platforms and propositions resonate across internal and external audiences.
An expert in corporate communications she has created, deployed and led successful crisis communications programs, M&A, change and transformation projects as well as internal engagement, communications and events. She has provided on point confidential communications counsel to leaders and boards, ensuring resonance across stakeholder groups. She specializes in making the complex – both platform and proposition – simple.
Karen Hutchings
Karen brings unparalleled expertise in global travel program leadership. As EY’s Global Head of Travel, Meetings & Events, she managed a $2.1B program and led a global team of 130.
She was the architect of EY’s industry-leading sustainable travel approval tool (EY STAT), now sold to clients. Prior roles include global and regional travel leadership at Citi, AIG, and Merrill Lynch. Karen began her career at Swissair and Hogg Robinson Group and is widely recognized as a pioneer in enterprise travel innovation.
Nigel Mead
Nigel Mead is a creative director, host and producer with more than two decades of experience designing live events and audience experiences. He has worked closely with Delta Air Lines for over 20 years and partnered with United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic on sales conferences and large-scale events. Nigel works with organizations including Amex GBT, Avis, Google, CNN and UnitedHealth Group, helping turn complex business messages into engaging stage experiences.
Alongside his corporate work, Nigel has appeared in more than 100 television shows and has developed or consulted on programmes for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. As a performer he has entertained audiences that include Steven Spielberg, Paul McCartney and members of more than 40 royal families worldwide, including the late Queen Elizabeth II. He is also a member of the Inner Magic Circle.
At Kintela, Nigel leads the creative direction and production of live events, helping clients translate strategy and messaging into engaging, well-designed audience experiences.
Stewart Harvey
Stewart Harvey is one of global business travel’s most respected leaders, with more than 30 years delivering high-performance results across the industry. Originally from Glasgow and now based in Salisbury with his wife and two sons, he combines deep sector expertise with a calm, strategic leadership style admired by clients and colleagues alike.
From 2015 to 2020, Stewart served as President EMEA at BCD Travel, holding full operational and financial responsibility across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He led the region through major transformation and disruption, including the COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining the company’s reputation as a trusted adviser.
Before BCD, Stewart spent over 25 years at HRG, ultimately becoming Group Commercial Director, leading global sales, strategic bids and growth in sectors including government and energy.
A mentor and motivator, he continues to advise industry leaders and serves as a Partner at Kintela.
Jay Boehmer
For more than two decades, Jay watched the corporate travel industry evolve and unfold as a leading industry journalist. He cut his teeth managing a succession of coverage areas at Business Travel News, including payment, expense, travel management, lodging, airlines, ground transportation, travel intermediaries, technology and distribution. He supported the launch of Phocuswire, a leading travel technology information site.
For more than a decade until late 2025, he served as editor-in-chief of The Beat, a premium subscription news service for senior industry execs, where he broke news, interviewed industry leaders, conducted proprietary research and hosted The Beat Live event. From the page to the stage, Jay has been a constant presence in the business travel industry.
Jason Dunderdale
Jason is a commercially minded growth leader with a track record of building high performing sales teams, sharpening go to market strategy, and delivering sustainable revenue across global B2B channels.
Most recently, as Global Director of Sales at Blacklane, he restructured commercial operations and helped create the foundations for scalable growth, combining strong performance with high team engagement. He has also held senior leadership roles across the travel and mobility ecosystem, including Head of Sales EMEA at FreeNow, Head of Sales at FCM, and Head of Travel Sales UK and Ireland at Sixt.
Jason brings deep domain expertise across mobility, travel tech, and platform sales, with the credibility to influence C suite stakeholders, improve complex pipelines, and close strategic enterprise agreements. He is known for blending strategy with hands on execution, whether that means building partner ecosystems, turning around underperforming functions, or creating repeatable sales motions that scale.
Alongside his commercial work, Jason is in his fifth year as a Supplier Director at the Institute of Travel Management, staying close to the priorities shaping the industry and the people driving change.
Chris Crowley
Chris works at the intersection of business travel, travel technology and hospitality. He advises technology, travel and business leaders on commercial transformation, network optimisation, investment and revenue growth.
Chris has more than 25 years of senior commercial leadership experience across managed travel, hotels and technology. He previously served as Chief Revenue Officer at Duetto, where he led global sales, revenue operations and marketing. During his time there, the company grew annual recurring revenue from $20 million to $75 million ahead of its sale to GrowthCurve Capital in 2024.
Before Duetto, Chris held senior global leadership roles at BCD Travel, leading Global Sales across EMEA and APAC and overseeing the EMEA Global Client Team, including responsibility for Siemens. He later served as Senior Vice President, Enterprise Solutions, EMEA at HRS Group, with commercial and operational oversight across the region. He has also worked as a consultant with Nina & Pinta, advising travel and hotel technology clients on commercial strategy and growth.
Chris has served as President of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, was a board member of the Institute of Travel Management and has sat on the Commercial Board for HSMAI Asia Pacific.