Focus Travel consortium joins BTA as Parkes becomes non-executive chairman

Former Business Travel Association chief executive Adrian Parkes has been appointed non-executive chairman of Focus Travel Partnership.

At the same time, Focus Travel has joined the Business Travel Association.

Parkes said: "I am delighted to be taking up this new role at Focus Travel Partnership and I am very much looking forward to supporting them and their members into the next phase of growth.

"I have first-hand knowledge of the considerable strength and reputation of Focus and have known them from their first beginnings in 1999 when as British Midland we were one of the first airlines to support Focus.  

"They have an impressive reputation for driving new technology in the sector and they are an organisation that is resource light, flexible and forward thinking. The relationships it has built with suppliers delivers extremely well for both parties and with strong representation across the UK, they have become an important voice on industry-wide issues."

Focus MD Abby Penston said: "I am tremendously excited to be working with Adrian, as I know he will support partners in growing their profitability and effectively expand our partnership base. Adrian joins our already phenomenal in-house team, and together with the extensive talent of our members, we plan to create and maintain a formidable brand, recognised in and out of the Business Travel community."

Business Travel Association CEO Clive Wratten said: "We’re delighted to be welcoming Focus Travel Partnership as our newest member. 

"As a leading business travel consortium and one with 60 TMCs within its organisation, Focus is a significant and welcome addition to our membership, and one which now takes our representation of business travel spend in the UK to well over 90%."

Penston added: "We are delighted to have become a member of the BTA as it means that our partner companies will have their voice, opinions and issues heard by both the rest of the industry and Government.

"Our membership ensures the BTA benefits will be extended to all our 60 members, whether that is through lobbying, networking, or accessing industry intelligence. This is critical to ensuring our members continue to develop strong business strategies to help them thrive.

"In return, our members represent the important independent and mid-market sector and handle in excess of £1 billion of managed travel which adds weight to the collective value of the Business Travel Association. This new relationship is set to be a very valuable one for all concerned."