Our people

Mark has been Chief Executive of ABTA since September 2005. He is responsible for the strategy and direction of the Association. Before joining ABTA Mark held senior strategy and corporate finance positions in a number of industry sectors, and was Group Strategy Director of Centrica plc., the parent company of British Gas and the Automobile Association.

Claire joined ABTA in July 2019 and leads ABTA’s commercial activities, including ABTA Partnership, Events, Travel Money and Travel Insurance. Claire has worked within the travel industry for 25+ years. She started her career as a retail branch manager at First Choice before working in business and product development roles. Claire also taught travel and tourism to college-age students.

Graeme leads ABTA’s external and internal communications, including PR and media relations, marketing communications and brand stewardship. Joining ABTA in 2020, he was previously Head of Communications for Waitrose & Partners. He brings to the role more than 25 years’ experience of working with major organisations.

Simon is a solicitor and ABTA’s Company Secretary having joined the Association as a Legal Adviser in 1996. Simon’s team is responsible for the provision of legal and regulatory guidance to Members; the advice and alternative dispute resolution services to customers of ABTA Members; and for the operation and enforcement of ABTA’s Code of Conduct.

Susan joined ABTA as a senior solicitor in 2016 and was subsequently appointed Director in 2019. She leads the Destinations and Sustainability teams in our work on sustainable tourism, health and safety, operations and crisis management. Susan engages with destination and UK governments, tourist boards, trade associations and other stakeholders on behalf of Members in relation to travel industry matters.

Felicity joined in July 2023 as Director of Finance, looking after all the financial aspects of ABTA and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements. Felicity’s team provide all the in house finance services to the organisation and support other ABTA teams to provide excellent service to all stakeholders.

Felicity is a Chartered Accountant and was previously in finance leadership positions in not-for-profit organisations in the Education and Social Care sectors.

Rachel leads ABTA’s membership, financial protection, risk, claims and insurance operations, having joined ABTA in 2020. She represents ABTA on the CAA’s Air Travel Insolvency Protection Advisory Committee and manages relationships with other key stakeholders, including the Department for Business and Trade and financial services companies. 

Rachel previously specialised in insurance risk and regulation at KPMG and EY in advisory consulting roles.

Stuart joined ABTA in 2011, originally leading a change management programme, and was appointed Director of Operations in 2024. Stuart leads the Operations team working across all ABTA departments to improve service quality, efficiency, and overall effectiveness, leading ABTA’s risk, data protection, IT, and business planning functions. Prior to joining ABTA Stuart worked in financial services and business analysis consulting.

Luke joined ABTA in 2011, originally working on European issues, and was appointed Director in 2020. He leads the Public Affairs team’s work with Governments and policymakers in Westminster, the Devolved Administrations and in Europe. Luke works regularly with Members and industry stakeholders on government relations issues, and is also a Board Member of the Tourism Alliance and Observer to the Board of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance.