Travel Finance Conference

Early bird prices will expire on 31 January 2025. 

As the industry sees a return to normal booking patterns, an increase in M&A activity, upcoming regulatory changes and an emphasis on the importance of Environmental, Social & Governance reporting, this event provides the opportunity to take stock and ensure you are fully up to date.

Hear 45+ expert speakers provide insights and guidance on the trends shaping today’s finance function.  Two days of keynote presentations, panel discussion and industry case studies giving practical tips to help you better manage cash flow, financial risk, changes in accounting and tax, financial protection and regulation.

In a highly competitive labour market, discover how best to deal with the current challenges of recruitment and retention and get tips on creating a diverse and inclusive team.

With the expanding use of AI enabling finance to automate more complex responsibilities, CFOs and other finance leaders will need to actively and continuously manage the consequences of automation.  Discover how you can embrace advances, minimise risk of errors and add value to your organisation.

Meet with Finance Directors, CFOs and finance experts from across the travel industry during the breaks and at the networking drinks reception.

More details about the event, speakers and the agenda will be released shortly.

• Keynote address: the current economic climate and the impact of global affairs on the travel industry
• Financial trends in the travel industry
• Finance leaders panel: what does a new Government mean for the current travel landscape
• Business management, cash flow management and financial planning
• Business growth strategies
• The current M&A landscape, trends and what we can expect in the future, including a buyers perspective and case study
• Panel discussion: non-financial reporting best practice
• Automating the finance function and the use of AI 
• Essential regulation update for travel finance professionals
• Panel discussion: regulatory reform and financial protection 
• Panel discussion: advances in travel fintech, pricing and innovations in payments
• Diversity and inclusion in the finance team
• Tax policy update
• Future of travel VAT and TOMS and changes that impact destination markets
• Currency outlook and managing volatility risk
• Keynote: overcoming challenges in travel and tourism to grow the industry

	Moderator: Felicity Jefferis-Boyd, Director of Finance, ABTA Felicity joined ABTA 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.
	Moderator: Martin Alcock, Director, Travel Trade Consultancy Martin is one of TTC’s owners and manages the day-to-day running of the business. He also helps operators, lenders, and investors in the travel sector to fix a range of financial regulatory and strategic problems, often related to ATOL, ABTA or IATA. Prior to TTC, Martin qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers and worked in the ATOL department of the Civil Aviation Authority. He is a prominent travel industry commentator, regularly sharing his opinions in The Telegraph, The Times, Wall Street Journal and on BBC television (though mainly the 5am slots that Simon Calder doesn’t fancy). Having given up on his dream to play lead guitar for an international rock band, he now moonlights as an under-appreciated taxi driver for his two daughters. Thankfully, his years as a Sunderland supporter have taught him to cope well with disappointment.
	Rajan Datar, BBC News Rajan Datar is an award-winning, versatile international broadcaster and conference moderator. A current affairs journalist who is now one of the most recognisable faces of international TV travelogues - latest programmes on the BBC: Madeira, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka - 50 half hour BBC docs in total. In May 2024 he presented the highly acclaimed 3 part special on BBC Radio 4, "The Tourist Trap" on the pressures record-breaking tourist numbers are imposing on popular destinations, local communities and the environment. He presents the BBC World Service’s The Forum ( similar to R4’s In Our Time) the weekly feedback programme Over To You and numerous R4 documentaries and stints as host of The Media Show and Front Row on R4. For 7 years he was a reporter on current affairs strands Newsnight and The Money Programme on BBC2. He also moderates conferences and literary festivals (including Hay) around the world. Founder/Bass Player of Maroon Town, globetrotting ska and reggae 8-piece for 30 years!

Speakers include:

• Adam Murray, Chief Financial Officer, Flight Centre
• Simon Bunce, Director of Legal Affairs, ABTA
• Rachel Jordan, Director  of Membership and Financial Protection, ABTA
• Dominic Binefa, CFO, Travelopia
• Tudor Morgan, VP, Sustainability and Industry Relations, HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
• Will Bicknell, Founder, Felloh
• Michael Budge, Head of ATOL, Civil Aviation Authority
• Rohan Kumar, Head of Client Insights, Barclays
• Nina Skero, Chief Executive, Centre for Economics and Business Research
• Nicola Sartori, Partner, Corporate Finance, Grant Thornton
• Matthew Lineham, Director, KPMG
• Jeremy Kempke, Associate Director, KPMG
• Koula Achillea, Head of Strategic Finance, Marella Cruises
• Ingrid Cawood, Chief Financial Officer, Miki Travel
• Mike McDonald, Managing Director, Corporate Finance, KPMG
• David Harrison,  Partner, UK Head of Technology Strategy and Transformation, KPMG
• Puneet Ohri, Director – Connected Data and AI Advisory Services, KPMG
• Lisa Kingman, Head of Financial Protection, ABTA
• Paul Stewart, Indirect Tax Director, KPMG
• Susan Deer, Director of Industry Relations, ABTA
• Elliot Photi, Finance and Regulatory Analyst, White Hart Associates
• Jake Cohen, Finance and Regulatory Manager, White Hart Associates
• Farina Azam, Partner, Fox Williams
• David Sykes, Chief Commercial Officer, Klarna
• James Simcox, Chief Product Officer and Managing Director International, Equals Money
• Sami Doyle, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, TMU Management
• Richard Buxton, Chief Financial Officer, Inspire Europe
• Luke Davis, Head of RPO Talent Solutions, Matchr Identify 
• Ben Santos, Currency Management Specialist, Kantox 
• Mark Skehill, Business Development – Team Leader, Trust Payments
• Paul Nunn, Chief Operating Officer, Advantage Financial Services
• Greg Rahilly, Associate Director, ESG & Sustainability, Strategic Solutions, Grant Thornton
• Scott Campbell, Director, K3 Tax Advisory
• Hemal, Senior Manager, KPMG
• Tannah Matus, CFO, Secret Food Tours 
   

Further speakers to be announced.

• Gain in-depth insight on all the key travel finance issues facing companies today, including the latest accounting and tax issues
• Get an update on the current economic climate, including the pace of economic recovery and consumer spending
• Hear first-hand experience from industry leaders and finance directors from large and small businesses
• Hear the latest thinking and best practice in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting
• Understand how you can better manage your foreign exchange risk to protect your bottom line
• Hear an update on developments in fintech and payments 
• Have the chance to bring your questions to ABTA, industry speakers and finance regulatory experts.

The event is ideal for senior leaders and financial professionals from large and small companies within the travel industry, including the following:

• CEOs and directors
• Finance directors and managers
• Finance, audit and commercial teams.

ABTA member/ABTA Partner rates*

Early bird two day rate – £479 plus VAT
Standard two day rate – £519 plus VAT 

Early bird one day rate – £349 plus VAT
Standard one day rate – £399 plus VAT 

Non-member rates

Early bird two day rate – £699 plus VAT
Standard two day rate – £749 plus VAT 

Early bird one day rate – £489 plus VAT
Standard one day rate – £539 plus VAT 

Early bird prices will expire on 31 January 2025. 

This includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day, networking drinks on day one, all delegate materials, presentations and an attendee certificate.

You may attend one day and nominate a colleague to attend the other day. Please register your place for both days then email events@abta.co.uk with the name and job title of your colleague, and which day they would like to attend.

View our booking terms and conditions here.


Group bookings:
If you are interested in sending a group, please contact events@abta.co.uk for a bespoke cost.

_{*To qualify for the ABTA Member/Partner discount you must have a current ABTA Member/Partner number or your application must be in progress when the event takes place.}

Host partner

KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, operates from 21 offices across the UK with approximately 17,600 partners and staff.  KPMG is a global organization of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. It operates in 147 countries and territories and has more than 219,000 people working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients. The KPMG trademarks are the sole property of KPMG International Limited and its related entities and their use here does not imply auditing by or endorsement of KPMG International Limited, its related entities or any KPMG firms.

Event partners

The dedicated Travel team at Barclays supports your business with close relationships with peers, governmental, regulatory and industry bodies – plus deep experience in the domestic and cross-border operational banking and financing that the sector demands.

Equals Money combines an understanding of the travel industry with our portfolio of flexible product options, offering travel providers and their clients consolidated, end-to-end payment journeys. Accept global client payments via their preferred method using open banking. Collect funds across a range of currencies with a single multi-currency account. Make payments quickly with access to SWIFT, UK Faster Payments, and SEPA. Give your customers own-branded prepaid travel cards with our white label offering. Tried and trusted, we’ve helped our customers move over £10 billion around the world since 2005.

Felloh helps travel businesses like yours automate back-office finance operations so you can save time and money with travel pro tools like: automatic reconciliation, risk control, payment links, card instalment plans and more.

Fox Williams LLP is a City law firm with a leading reputation in specific industry sectors and practice areas, known for its ability to deliver effective solutions. Clients of the Fox Williams travel team include household names as well as with those that are developing their business. “We understand the importance of providing commercial and practical advice and advise our travel clients on compliance with travel law and regulation, both in the UK and overseas. Our clients are also concerned about other areas of regulation, including laws relating to data protection, advertising and marketing and financial services.  We guide our clients through the regulations in a way which is sensible, user-friendly and pragmatic. We also advise on wider commercial issues, including technology and fintech matters, employment issues, dispute resolution, business immigration, intellectual property, real estate and tax.

Grant Thornton's dedicated Travel, Tourism and Leisure (TTL) team have a strong track record of working with successful and dynamic organisations throughout the sector both in the UK and internationally, delivering commercial and pragmatic solutions from a multi-disciplinary, international team, to ensure that all angles are covered. Our global footprint, industry specialists, track record, range of services and network of industry associates and experts places us in a unique position of being able to deliver a fully integrated service offering and allows clients the comfort that they will receive a dedicated and bespoke service from a single source provider.

Kantox, part of BNP Paribas, is a leader in Currency Management Automation software. Our solution increases your fintech capabilities by automating the complex and time-consuming foreign exchange (FX) management process from pre-trade to post-trade. Since its establishment in 2011, Kantox has garnered the trust of clients across 75 countries. Our unique solution covers the entire FX process, from accurate pricing with real-time exchange rates to hedging currency risk and optimising cash management. With the expertise of BNPP, combined with our innovative approach to currency management automation, we are the best Fintech Partner to stay ahead of the competition.
 

Since 2005 Klarna has been on a mission to smooth commerce with consumer needs at the heart of it. With over 85 million global active Klarna users and 2.5 million transactions per day across 45 markets, Klarna’s fair, sustainable and AI-powered payment and shopping solutions are revolutionizing the way people shop and pay online and in-store, empowering consumers to shop smarter with greater confidence and convenience. More than 600,000 global retailers, including leading travel brands like Expedia Group, Booking.com, Hotels.com, Airbnb, Norwegian and Turkish Airlines, integrate Klarna’s innovative technology and marketing solutions to drive growth and customer loyalty in the travel industry.

Trust Payments is a leader in fintech and has decades of experience in the travel sector. Our full end-to-end payments solution ensures secure, speedy collection of guest payments such as booking fees, flight tickets and accommodation deposits.
We treat operators and agents as unique customers - offering bespoke payment solutions to help handle transactions in fast and secure ways with competitive fees, flexible settlement and tailored support backed by an expert team are on hand 24/7. Our solutions help travel operators reduce costs, be more efficient and have higher approval rates with in-built fraud screening, chargeback representation and management. 
www.trustpayments.com/travel
 

WHA are a firm of Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors who are the UK's leading travel regulation, licensing and bonding specialists. WHA acts for a wide portfolio of travel companies of all sizes, from the very small owner-managed business to advising some of the largest travel entities in the world.  WHA are therefore well placed to provide competitively priced travel specific advice and guidance to firms operating in this industry.

Networking sponsor

Acetravelbonding is a trading name of Wentworth Surety Limited. 
Formed July, 2000, to meet the pressing need for a specialist bonding insurance broker.
Our team specialises in providing unique and effective solutions to help alleviate the pain of bonding. We understand that everyone's situation is different, and we work closely with our clients to create personalised plans that meet their specific needs. 
From the trials of the pandemic, we've emerged stronger, having guided our agents and tour operators through the labyrinth of challenges. Our unwavering commitment to excellence has shown that the surge in business is not merely a consequence of pent-up demand. 
You can trust us, just as many of our clients have, to navigate the tides of uncertainty. With over 25 years of experience, we are adept at meeting your bonding requirements and can offer you the same expertise and peace of mind. Join us on this journey toward prosperity.

For information on how to promote your company at this event, please contact events@abta.co.uk.