United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
New firm vows to challenge business travel giants
A new global corporate travel management company, headed in the UK by former Britannic Travel managing director Alan Spence, has pledged to challenge the dominance of the business travel giants.
FCm Travel Solutions, the corporate arm of Australia-based Flight Centre, insisted it would be among the top four players within two years, competing head to head with Amex, BTI and Carlson Wagonlit.
The ambitious targets emerged as FCm launched in the UK, through Britannic Travel, and across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Spence, who sold Britannic to Flight Centre two years ago, said: “Our aim is to become a world leader in corporate travel and expense management, delivering exceptional service, excellent value and measurable results. We aim, and expect, to be in the top four global players within two years.”
Britannic Travel will officially rebrand to FCm Travel Solutions on July 1, along with Belgian TMC Herfurth Travel Group. Other European partners, including firms in Spain, Holland and Ireland, will rebrand over the next few months
The company was formed last July by Australia-based Flight Centre with the launch of FCm in Asia Pacific. It also has operations in South Africa, US and Canada with a turnover of $1.5 billion.
The UK and EMEA launch brings the number of countries serviced by the fledgling company to 50 with the expansion fuelled by acquisition and partnerships.
Spence said business clients will benefit from the negotiating muscle of Flight Centre but primarily through a tailor-made, personal service which he claimed was lacking in its rivals.
“Most of our competitors fit their clients into categories,” he said. “Our focus will be on delivering a flexible, personalised approach. We recognise clients come in all shapes and sizes and have different needs.”
No-touch online bespoke services to highly personalised tailor made services will be offered, he said.
FCm global executive general manager Anthony Grigson said further expansion would quickly follow with the US a major target. He admitted it was an important market to exploit in order to challenge the major players.
“We do have a presence on the west coast but we recognise the importance of the US and are looking at acquiring a company with proven results on the east coast,” he said.
An announcement would be made by the autumn, added Grigson.
Report by Steve Jones
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