Specialist consultancy Black Box Partnerships is celebrating its first anniversary with the appointment of Nick Bamford to the newly-created role of associate – ground/rail services.
Bamford joins after ten years supporting and leading the retail partnerships team at the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), previously known as the Association of Train Operating Companies. He was in charge of building the rail industry’s relationships with retailers, ticket-issuing systems such as Trainline, Evolvi and SilverRail, distributors, the Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC) and TMCs. He brings more than 30 years’ commercial, marketing and project management experience in travel and passenger transport.
Raj Sachdave MCIPS, managing partner of Black Box Partnerships, commented: “Rail and ground transportation is an exciting focus area, with new trains, HS2, Crossrail, European connectivity and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) all generating an opportunity for growth. They form a sizable part of any global organisation’s travel spend and if agencies can manage rail and ground well, it improves their opportunity to win larger travel programmes inclusive of all products.
“A big part of Nick’s new role is listening to the needs of all industry stakeholders, from operators, TMCs, to associations, regulatory bodies and business travellers. He’s a perfect fit for us and our clients, so I’m thrilled that Black Box Partnerships has attracted such a respected and talented individual.”
Speaking about his new role, Bamford said: “I’ve worked with Raj over many years and I’ve been impressed with his innovative mindset and his focus on developing people, cultures and businesses to accelerate growth strategies. So, I’m delighted to be working with him again during Black Box Partnership’s period of growth and during a time of industry change with the forthcoming Williams Review.
“I’m particularly experienced in identifying and exploiting market opportunities through the development of strong commercial relationships and uncovering pain points which challenge the process. That matches the Black Box ethos of turning clients into winners and making travel and meetings perform.”
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