John Simmons has joined the Advantage Travel Partnership, bringing extensive expertise in corporate travel.
- With over 15 years in the industry, Simmons transitions from American Express to a pivotal business development role.
- Simmons is expected to drive day-to-day development opportunities and secure new business for Advantage’s AMS model.
- The Advantage Travel Partnership celebrates 15 years of its AMS model amidst significant technological advancements.
- The partnership with AMS has proven beneficial, with members seeing increased focus on sales and customer service.
John Simmons’s recent appointment to the Advantage Travel Partnership marks a notable shift within the corporate travel sector. Bringing over 15 years of experience from firms such as Hogg Robinson and American Express, Simmons takes on the newly-created role focused on business travel. This strategic move aims to leverage Simmons’s extensive background to enhance the organisation’s business travel arm’s operational efficacy.
In his new role, Simmons will concentrate on developing day-to-day opportunities and spearheading efforts to acquire new business for the Advantage Managed Services (AMS) model. The AMS model, now in its 15th year, has been instrumental in allowing travel companies to redirect resources from operations to sales and customer service. This approach has proven effective, as demonstrated by the 76 branches under its wing generating significant annual turnover.
Simmons’s transition from his role at American Express, where he served as a client account manager for SMEs across Europe and globally, underscores Advantage’s commitment to attracting top-tier talent. His experience is seen as a valuable asset in navigating the complexities of global business travel, particularly in an era marked by rapid technological changes.
The adoption of new technology products has spurred significant development in the global business travel division of Advantage, further solidifying its position in the market. Simmons commented on the ongoing growth: “The managed services model is growing at pace, and my aim is to develop this programme further by presenting the benefits and opportunities to prospective members.”
Advantage’s strategy includes offering a comprehensive proposition to the TMC community, with Simmons being a key player in this initiative. He is expected to not only sustain but also amplify the success of the AMS model, according to Andy Boorman, head of business development, who praised Simmons’s anticipated contributions to delivering best-in-class service and solutions.
John Simmons’s appointment is poised to significantly strengthen Advantage’s business travel initiatives while fostering growth within the AMS model.
