BCD Travel has appointed James Diaz as Vice President, Sales, UK and Ireland, reinforcing the company’s commitment to “driving sustainable growth across the region”. In his new role, Diaz will lead and develop the regional team, strengthen BCD’s market presence, and expand into high-potential segments. He will also play an active leadership role in supporting growth across the energy, resources and marine sector. He joins with nearly 25 years of experience in the travel industry, most recently as UK CEO of Travel Planet before establishing Absolute Travel Management, a TMC startup focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises.

Jess Dunderdale has joined Direct Travel as Sales Director, bringing extensive experience in business travel and client partnerships. She was previously Senior Director of Client Partnerships for serviced accommodation specialist AltoVita and before that was Global Sales Manager at BridgeStreet. In her new role at Direct Travel, she will “focus on building and expanding strategic partnerships, accelerating revenue growth, and delivering value‑led travel solutions to global clients through the rollout of Avenir across Europe and the rest of the world”. Her appointment follows Direct Travel’s acquisition of ATPI in 2025. 

Kintela Group, a communications and live experiences firm specialising in business travel, has recruited Chris Crowley as a partner. He brings more than 25 years of senior commercial leadership across managed travel, hospitality and hotel technology with a career spanning global sales leadership roles at BCD Travel and executive responsibility at Duetto, alongside advisory work with Nina & Pinta. At Kintela he will work at the intersection of business travel, travel technology and hospitality, advising technology, travel and business leaders on commercial transformation, network optimisation, investment and revenue growth.