INTERVIEW
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We’re seeing challenges to the traditional model and companies need to be quick to adopt new technology to ensure compliance and data is captured.” Caroline French, Head of Global Travel & Expense Management, Inmarsat
In conversation
Upgrade talks to Caroline French, Head of Global Travel & Expense Management at Inmarsat, the world leader in mobile satellite communications and a global client of FCM’s since 2017 How long have you been a buyer in the business travel industry and how did you start out?
Have you been responsible for global spend as well as national/regional spends?
I have been a buyer for over 15 years, having gained experience in the communications industry. In my current role, I have definitely seen huge changes as the company has evolved and progressed through a series of mergers and acquisitions.
Yes, I am presently responsible for spend and operational reporting across 13 countries.
Did you go the CIPS route in terms of learning your craft or did you learn ‘on the job’? Definitely in at the deep end with ‘on the job’ learning; but I have known and worked with some great people in the travel industry who helped and coached me through my early career development years as well as supported me with training where useful during my career progression.
What attracted you to the world of business travel?
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How large is your travel team and where does it sit in the company? Four people based in London, St John’s Canada and Switzerland, and the team sits in the Chief People Office department.
What in your view are the challenges of being a buyer in this industry? The challenges I see facing a buyer today are the need to keep pace with the ever-changing demands from both the business and the traveller. Depending on the size of the organisation it will find the buyer dealing across a variety of requirements such as traveller wellbeing, sustainability, risk, insurance and most
It’s a vibrant and constantly changing industry and a key element of an organisation’s ability to conduct business. Furthermore, you are closely working across all business levels and locations so you get a real insight into how the organisation works so that
importantly data reporting... but the list goes on!
its requirements can then be met.
making and enhancing data handoff for card payment solutions.
What are your current challenges at Inmarsat? Data reporting to provide strong insights into future decision
