Collinson strengthens its travel experiences division with two new appointments

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Global leader in customer benefits and loyalty, we have appointed Andy Besant as Director of Travel Experiences and Vicki Everest as Partnerships Director.

Andy will lead the Travel Experiences division, which provides the market-leading airport lounge and experiences programme, Priority Pass. Initial focus is on the continuation of the division’s digital transformation, delivering customer-centric innovation that enhances the travel journey for millions of the world’s most discerning travellers.

He joins Collinson with extensive experience in the payments industry, having spent more than 16 years at American Express, where he took on the role of General Manager and Head of Europe Network Partnerships. More recently, Andy was Managing Director for XE Europe, an international online foreign exchange tools and services company.

Collinson has also appointed Vicki Everest to a newly created Director of Global Partnerships role. Reporting to Andy, Vicki will focus on leveraging the global breadth of partnerships that Collinson has, both within airports and through its loyalty division, where Collinson enriches the programmes of many or the world’s largest airlines, hotel groups and banks. An immediate focus for Vicki is to oversee the management of Collinson’s global lounge, dining and spa experience partners, where further enhancements are being made to the programmes by providing an ever-increasing level of choice.

Vicki’s rich experience in both product and partnerships management includes ten years in Mastercard’s Loyalty Solutions division, where she led the development and management of key products including concierge, travel, airport lounge and insurance & assistance. Most recently she consulted at lifestyle management company, Quintessentially, focusing on strategy, growth and the development and delivery of new product solutions.

Commenting on the appointments, Christopher Evans, Joint CEO at Collinson, said: “It is an exciting time for Collinson as we continue to help travellers get the most out of their pre-flight experience. We know from consumer insight that there’s an increased desire for more meaningful experiences and rewards at the airport. These two talented individuals will help us to capitalise on opportunities in the airport space and deliver greater value to clients, partners and end consumers.

“Andy and Vicki’s ambition, strategic mindset and wealth of experience will help drive our future success by strengthening the relationships with key network partners where we will build on long-standing global partnerships.”

Andy said: “I am thrilled to be joining Collinson. It’s an honour to lead the global Travel Experiences division and help drive our future success in the airport, and broader benefits and loyalty arena. I look forward to delivering the next chapter for the business, further enriching end customers’ lives and helping our business partners to develop winning customer propositions.”

Vicki added: "With exciting plans to accelerate growth, there’s much to look forward to particularly in the partnerships space. I am delighted to be joining Collinson and look forward to delivering the overall global partnership strategy.”

Original press release 13 November 2018