Inntel CEO Douglas O'Neill is the new chair of the BTA board
Douglas O’Neill, chief executive of travel management company Inntel, has been named chair of the UK-based Business Travel Association.
O’Neill takes over from Gray Dawes CEO Suzanne Horner who resigned from the role in April after nearly six years as chair. Mervyn Williamson, who has served as interim chair since the spring, steps down from the board and from his longstanding role as BTA treasurer.
The BTA said O’Neill’s 20-plus years of leadership experience “will now be applied to further strengthen and amplify the BTA’s impact, supporting its mission to champion the needs of TMCs and the wider business travel industry”.
In other moves announced at the organisation’s annual conference in Munich this week, Kevin Harrison, director of Good Travel Management, steps into the role of officer alongside CWT’s Vinny Atwal. He succeeds Clarity Travel’s Pat McDonagh. Murray Burnett, who is managing director of Munro’s Travel, also steps up as officer and as interim treasurer.
Joining the board, meanwhile, are Clarity Travel’s chief growth officer, Donna Fitzgerald, and Louise Hutchinson-Chambers, general manager of CTM North.
The new appointments give the BTA board a 50/50 gender split, according to the association.
“I’m truly grateful for Mervyn and Pat’s outstanding service, which has made a hugely positive impact on the BTA and our shared mission. Their dedication and contributions have been invaluable to me and the entire organisation,” says BTA chief executive Clive Wratten.
“At the same time, I’m delighted to welcome our new appointments, whose talent and fresh perspectives will bring renewed energy to the board. I look forward to working with both new and existing directors as we continue to champion the travel management community together.”
O’Neill added: “I’m delighted to take on the role of chair, following the excellent tenure of Suzanne Horner and with sincere thanks to Mervyn for stepping in so capably as interim chair during this transition. I’ve already seen the exceptional work the BTA does for our industry, and in my new role, I’m determined to build on the strong foundations they have laid.”
The Business Travel Association was founded in 1967 and was known as the Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC) until 2019, when it rebranded as the BTA.