Traveltek announces the appointment of new chief operating officer

New Year, New Chief Operating Officer for booking software specialist Traveltek as CEO Kenny Picken announces the appointment of seasoned travel sector director Phil Astall.

Travel technology specialist Traveltek has today announced the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer.

The company’s founder and CEO, Kenny Picken, said: "There’s little doubt that the business is on a journey at the moment. Perhaps the most exciting in its 20-year history.

"Pursuing a global expansion plan is not without its challenges. However, to be the very best in class, we have to constantly strive to push ourselves; to improve, to innovate and to excel in all disciplines we undertake. It’s with that in mind that I’m delighted to announce the appointment of our new COO, Phil Astall.

"Phil has a wealth of experience in operational delivery and, crucially, in dealing with the challenges that we’re faced with as we work to take our company on to headier heights. Phil has already successfully assumed responsibility for the day-to-day running of the business and makes an excellent addition to our ever-strengthening team.

"Together with his colleague, Cressida Sergeant, who I’m delighted to report has now taken on the role of Chief Commercial Officer, this new leadership team will spearhead our ambitious plans for growth."

Phil is a seasoned industry professional with a 15-year career spent delivering significant improvements to business performance, revenue and customer success. He joins Traveltek from Expedia where he spent the last six years, latterly in the role of Global Senior Director.

Prior to joining Expedia, Phil spent over nine years working for Thomson Reuters; during the majority of which he held the role of Lead Software Developer. Phil has enjoyed a diverse and varied career and has established himself as a dynamic and accomplished leader with strong technical, operational and commercial acumen.  

He has a proven track record in building, managing and maintaining effective and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, clients and business partners alike. All of which he will be relying on as he embarks on the latest path in his career.

Phil commented: "I am delighted to be joining Traveltek at such an exciting time. Traveltek’s reservation platform leads the industry. It has more suppliers integrated than any other system on the market and offers travel businesses a truly unique proposition that they can’t get elsewhere. The challenge now is to bring this technology to a wider-audience.

"Operationally, the main focus for me initially is on enhancing the tech that we already have; looking at how we can improve our existing product and sharpen up internal processes to help us better manage output.

"Beyond that, it’s about identifying problem areas for businesses, in terms of finding gaps in the market that current technology doesn’t bridge. In terms of development, the talent at Traveltek is phenomenal. The opportunities for growth are endless if we get things right. So, it’s full steam ahead."

For more information visit www.traveltek.com