025-27 TTGB INTERVIEW 4/11/08 16:17 Page 25
interview 25
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interview L50776L50776 boutique hotels L50776L50776 airline consolidation L50776L50776 the Russian regions
ust over a year ago, Adam White stepped into
J
the managing director’s role at one of the UK’s
fastest-growing independent travel management
companies. Bath Business Travel had gained a
well-merited reputation as the leading TMC on
the south coast of England, and was turning over more
than £15 million. But he believed there was room for
improvement, despite the economic climate.
With almost 30 years in the industry under his belt,
the former Business Travel Management managing
director thought he had experienced everything business
could throw at him. He saw off recession in the 1990s,
he’d been on the phones during moments of crisis and
natural disaster, and was forced into a year’s gardening
leave after a failed management buyout at BTM. But he
could never have forecast the sudden demise of the
global economy and collapse of the British financial
sector during the first 12 months of his new job.
The banks’ fiscal failings and the plight of UK plc have
not prevented White from bringing immediate success to
the Bournemouth-based company. Having carried out a
thorough analysis of systems, processes and profit
drivers, he signed a three-
year deal to introduce the
latest Galileo technology
across the entire company,
implemented a new air
sales strategy for the group
and spearheaded a bold
acquisition programme,
which has seen BBT
expand outside of its south
CARRYING OUT
coast stronghold for the
first time.
MENIAL TASKS
On November 1, the
IN MY FIRST JOB
company completed the
purchase of London-based
IN AN AGENCY
TMC Baxter Hoare Travel – TAUGHT ME
one of the UK’s oldest
PATIENCE AND
travel companies – for an
undisclosed fee. The deal,
TO LOOK FROM
in which BBT’s parent L50480 THE BOTTOM UP
Looking to the future
The global economy may be in a huge downturn and the UK banking system in turmoil, but that
hasn’t stopped Adam White’s expansion plans for Bath Business Travel, as he tells Martin Ferguson
ttgbusiness.com a79 november 2008
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