Industry advisory group

Michael has spent a  career in the hotel and leisure sectors having both created and operated a number of international hospitality and technology groups and served at C level for several major multi-nationals Corporations and SMEs in the UK and abroad. Upon graduating from Surrey University SHTM, Michael joined the international hotel and tourism consultancy Horwath & Horwath and undertook a wide range of feasibility and development appraisals and projects in those sectors. He then joined Utell International an early OTA, where as Exec Vice President and later, Managing Director of the Brands Division, he founded Summit International Hotels, Insignia Resorts and Golden Tulip International. At the time of its sale to News Corporation it was one of the world’s largest hotel marketing/distribution companies and later became part of Reed Elsevier’s Travel Group and REZsolutions.

A family move to Hong Kong followed to become Group Sales and Marketing Director for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, responsible for the global sales and marketing of what was then Asia’s largest luxury hotel group. Returning to Europe and Frankfurt, Michael was appointed CEO of SRS-WorldHotels. A series of roll up acquisitions and a private equity backed MBO followed and led to the creation of IHS GmbH. Michael served as the CEO of the IHS Group throughout, as it grew to comprise Worldhotels, a group of over 500 international independent hotels, Trust International, a global hotel distribution technology company, IFH AG, a training and performance benchmarking company Nexus World Services a corporate RFP management software company. At the point of its sale and successful exit to a US based private equity group in 2013 the IHS Group’s TTV was in excess of US$2.1BN

Now back in the UK, Michael is currently Principal of LTH Advisors, a boutique advisory focused on investment, hotel operator and franchise selection,  brand development, distribution technology and hotel management. He is also Chairman of the UK based Hotel Management Company providing consultancy and management of primarily independent UK hotels. He lives in Suffolk with his family, although he still travels extensively for work and pleasure.

Suzie is a 1990 graduate of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Following her graduation, Suzie held three operational roles with contract caterers at Wembley Stadium, Chester Boyd and Sutcliffe Catering over a period of seven years. Suzie moved into recruitment in 1997 and set up her own business, Troika Recruitment with her business partners in 2010. Based in central London, Troika acts as trusted advisor to some fabulous hospitality businesses and focuses on sourcing candidates for senior managerial and director level appointments. 

Andrew is MD of Entertaining and Hospitality at Goodwood, having joined in early 2017. He is responsible for all of the 365 businesses at Goodwood, including the hotel, House, private member’s club, luxury private lodge, motor circuit catering, event catering, golf, shoot and the farm.

He studied hotel management at Blackpool College and subsequently spent a number of years overseas running hotels in Dubai, South Africa and Malaysia. Before joining Goodwood Andrew owned a pub and restaurant business in Brighton for 10 years and was the recipient of The Most Sustainable Pub in The UK Award from The SRA.

After joining Reed Exhibitions in 1986, Edinburgh University graduate Fiona quickly climbed through the ranks to become exhibition director for the World Travel Market in 1994 and the British Travel Trade Fair in 1996, becoming managing director and ultimately chairman of WTM until 2013.

In 1998, Fiona founded the international water aid charity Just a Drop, of which she is chair. Its aim is to encourage the travel and tourism industry and businesses generally to give back to communities across the world with the provision of clean water and sanitation. In 2007, she launched World Responsible Tourism Day at WTM in partnership with the UNWTO which is now the largest responsible tourism gathering across the world.

In 2012, she was awarded an OBE by Her Majesty the Queen for services to travel and tourism, and the Hall of Fame Award for her contribution to the Environment. In 2013 she was awarded TTG Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award and the World Tourism Award for her philanthropic vision in creating Just a Drop.

Mark Tanzer has been Chief Executive of ABTA since 1 September 2005. Over that period, and following its amalgamation with the Federation of Tour Operators, ABTA has consolidated its position as the leading UK travel association with 1200 corporate members comprising tour operators, cruise companies and travel agents.

In addition to providing a political and media voice for its members, ABTA offers a broad range of services including financial bonding, health and safety support and business guidance. In addition it has very wide consumer recognition through its customer support and alternative dispute resolution activities. Before joining ABTA, Mark held senior strategy and corporate finance positions in a number of industry sectors. Immediately prior to ABTA, Mark was Group Strategy Director of Centrica plc., the parent company of British Gas and the Automobile Association.