Partnership launched to keep women business travellers safe

AN £80m turnover corporate travel company based in Manchester has formed a unique partnership to help keep safe an increasing number of female business travellers.

Corporate Travel International has teamed up with Yorkshire company Maiden Voyage, which specialises in travel for women.

The deal was struck by CTI chief executive Clive Wratten and Carolyn Pearson, CEO of Maiden Voyage.

“There are certain things which need catering for, particularly for lone women travelling around the glove with regard to safety, and other things, like whether the room is appointed correctly,” said Wratten, who arrived at CTI a year ago, moving from his previous post as the UK general manager for Etihad Airways.

“We went into partnership because we are interested in improving services for people. I was intrigued by what Carolyn was doing.

“It has been motivated by the number of female business executives and the fact that there are many more millennials travelling. There are more complex travel requirements in today’s world.”

Maiden Voyage appoints hotels which women are recommended to stay in, plus there are programmes of corporate education and coaching about what to look out for when travelling.

CTI employs 143 people across six sites, also including Leeds, Liverpool, Hull, Bristol and London. The company is backed by private equity company LDC.

“We can do anything for anyone,” added Wratten. “We believe in helping businesses grow – we are an extension to them investing in their companies.

“And we do not run call centres – we run hubs which have great technology where customers can talk to people in their area who understand their needs. Our heartland is the Northern Powerhouse region.”