United Kingdom
News Release
Christophe Renard Appointed New Leader of CWT Solutions Group
CWT will use innovation to drive further client savings in 2013
AMSTERDAM, March 7, 2013 – Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) announced that Christophe Renard has been appointed vice president of the company’s global consulting arm, CWT Solutions Group. Renard succeeds Nick Vournakis, who has been appointed senior vice president, Global Marketing. Renard previously served as vice president, Marketing, Communications and Business Intelligence.
Renard joined CWT in 1998 and held several positions within programme management and sales before being appointed head of the CWT Travel Management Institute (TMI) in 2006. Since 2009, Renard has managed corporate marketing, global communications and business intelligence, in addition to leading the TMI.
“I’m delighted to be heading up CWT Solutions Group,” said Renard. “With the continued pressure on buyers to reduce costs and manage travel more efficiently, the type of service we provide is critical to clients. Independent advice on sourcing, reinforcing compliance and getting the best value from even the most mature travel programme is a core part of what we do.”
CWT Solutions Group’s business grew by 17% in 2012 – a testament to the significant value clients are finding in their services.
“In today’s challenging economy, innovation is key to remaining ahead of the game and seeking out those new ideas that will provide benefits both to our clients and travellers. CWT Solutions Group pushes the boundaries every day in helping our clients drive value and savings,” continued Renard.
CWT Solutions Group will further develop its traveller-centric approach in the near future, developing projects that leverage technology to drive productivity and compliance.
Following on from its 2012 research into traveller stress, CWT will be piloting the algorithm behind the Travel Stress Index, with the objective of showing clients the financial impact of travel-related stress on travellers’ productivity levels. The aim of the Travel Stress Index is to help companies make smarter, adaptive travel policy decisions reflecting travel frequency or traveller demographics that could improve traveller well-being as well as providing an increase in productivity.
CWT will also introduce clients to gaming techniques via its traveller scorecard. The scorecard will provide them with an innovative way to reinforce compliant traveller behaviour, while educating and engaging with their travellers within the framework of the travel programme. The traveller scorecard is a points-based system that rewards bookings that are within budget or in compliance, such as booking in advance, taking restricted airfares and/or lowest logical fares or choosing preferred hotels.
About CWT Solutions Group
The CWT Solutions Group, the global consulting arm of CWT, brings innovation into the equation by pushing the boundaries of traditional travel management into new areas. The Group is currently exploring big ideas and emerging solutions such as adaptive travel policies, managing traveller stress, the use of gaming and scorecards to drive traveller compliance, managing connectivity costs, and more. Our airline, hotel, and ground transportation practice areas help travel buyers source and continually improve their managed programmes in these areas, and our policy and compliance practice is dedicated to strengthening travel policies and travellers’ compliance to those policies.
For more information on
CWT Solutions Group, please visit our website at:
http://www.cwt-solutions-group.com/
About CWT
CWT is a global leader specialising in managing business travel and meetings and
events. CWT serves companies, government institutions and non-governmental organisations of all
sizes in more than 150 countries and territories. By leveraging both the expertise of its people
and leading-edge technology, CWT helps clients derive the greatest value from their travel
programme in terms of savings, service, security and sustainability. The company is also committed
to providing best-in-class service and assistance to travellers. CWT services and solutions
comprise Traveller & Transaction Services, Programme Optimisation, Safety & Security,
Meetings & Events and Energy Services. In 2012, sales volume for wholly owned operations and
joint ventures totalled US$27.7 billion. As part of its commitment to responsible business, CWT is
a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact Ten Principles. For more information about CWT,
please visit our global website at
www.carlsonwagonlit.com. Follow us on Twitter @CWT_UK.
Media contacts
Carrie-Ann Cooper or Christine Fischer
CWT UK & Ireland
+ 44(0)20 3353 1110/1113 (office)
+ 44(0)7785 458 884/+44 (0)7920 863 180 (mobile)
[email protected] /
[email protected]
