Face-to-face: CTI’s new CEO, Clive Wratten
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Tell us about what makes CTI a unique TMC?
We prefer not to think of ourselves as a TMC, but rather a TPC or Travel Partnership Company. We take a partnership-based approach with clients, suppliers and employees and this enables us to offer better value and service. Coupled with our network of six offices across England, four of which are in Northern England, this is making us the trusted travel partner for an increasing number of companies.
How does the partnership-based approach work and what are the advantages/benefits for clients?
In a nutshell, we are partners to our clients, partners to our suppliers, and partners to our team of CTI travel experts. The extensive experience of our CTI travel experts (an average of almost 20 years each) enables us to really get to know our clients’ travel DNA at the outset of any business relationship – understanding all aspects of their operation (not just travel but procurement, finance, HR and more). Using that knowledge and our trusted network of worldwide supplier partnerships, we are able to create seamless and bespoke travel options for our clients and so offer service that’s right first time, and value that is exceptional.
What’s your plan for CTI now you’re on board as the new CEO?
To grow our business as the UK’s first Trusted Travel Partner. CTI has all the foundations for this growth with a superb team of experienced employees, a strong network of offices across England, a web of worldwide suppliers, and a strong product offering enhanced by select partnerships. This unique cocktail is already popular with increasing numbers of companies and will enable us to continue to grow strongly in the years ahead.
How will your background in partner strategies help take CTI to the next level?
Any partner has to add value for your clients by broadening your product or service offering. Crucially, a partner’s offering is an extension of your brand so smart selection is crucial. At CTI, our strategy is to build partnerships that enable us to offer our clients new services, and ones we couldn’t offer ourselves. In recent months, new partners include female traveller safety experts, Maiden Voyage, and Victor for Business, the corporate travel arm of private jet charter pioneer Victor. And this week, we are unveiling a new partnership with Concur that will enhance our expenses management offering.
What’s your message to the market at this week’s Business Travel Show?
CTI’s partnership-based approach is the model for the future, and one with proven benefits that we hope increasing numbers of companies will consider as they review their business travel requirements.
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