Focus Travel Partnership has established the Focus Innovation Group to to support the future needs of the consortium’s TMC Partners and provide a “best-in-class experience” to their corporate customers.
The Innovation Group is led by Tony Edge, who was recently appointed in June 2023 as Focus Travel Partnership’s Business Solutions Manager.
He brings extensive business travel technology and innovation experience to Focus, having held technical, support and implementation roles at CWT over the last 10 years, including Global Technology Manager and Global Online Manager.
The first phase of the group’s strategy is to identify TMC Partners’ priorities and challenges, and then work with a relevant provider to fill the gaps in TMC Partners’ existing tech stacks and operational processes.
The goal is to provide Focus TMC Partners with access to an eco-system of end-to-end solutions to rival that of larger TMC competitors.
The group initially consists of seven Focus TMC Partners of different business sizes, specialising in client industry sectors, including government, education, marine, media, entertainment, charity and group travel.
The launch of the Innovation Group (which supersedes the former Technology Steering Group) marks the start of a new era for Focus as the consortium approaches its 25th anniversary in 2024.
Focus CEO Abby Penston said: “I am delighted that Tony is spearheading this group and driving our technology and innovation strategy going forwards. His expertise is already proving to be invaluable since he joined the Focus team as Business Solutions Manager.
“Technology is just one area where we are aiming to innovate; innovation also means looking at new ways to help our TMC Partners overcome other challenges in their business, hence the name of the group. We want to ensure Focus is looking at ‘what’s next’ and pioneering a forward-thinking approach to deliver an unrivalled proposition to our TMC Partners.”
