At Studio Almond, we are on a mission to become the leading ecommerce innovation and strategy studio in New Zealand and Australia. Known for delivering cutting-edge, autonomous, and design-led solutions, we empower businesses to elevate their ecommerce presence.As Commercial Director, I focus on building strategic partnerships with like-minded businesses that share our vision for delivering exceptional ecommerce experiences. My role is to ensure we collaborate closely with our partners, helping them innovate and create customer-centric solutions that drive success in a competitive digital landscape.

I am responsible for the revenue performance of GoSee Travel, a global leader in Online Motorhome and Car Rental. I lead the Commercial Team, comprising of pricing, b2b partnerships, account and relationship management, ancillary products and foreign language marketing and business growth.My key responsibilities include forecasting and business performance analysis, high level negotiation, identification of diversified revenue streams and thought leadership across the business.

My role is to shape the growth of our motorhome rental division, overseeing all aspects of business performance. Including taking a leading role in defining strategy for paid marketing (SEM) and SEO, affiliate partner growth, operational efficiency and channel diversification.Some key highlights:• Shaped the strategy to expand the global reach of the division and to navigate the challenges of COVID-19 on the travel business • Transformed Motorhome Republic from a small division to a world leader within the channel, growing bookings exponentially.• Significantly improved organisational culture, introducing training and development to raise staff capability while diversifying talent through robust recruitment processes • Led and mentored a team of 8 direct reports and wider team of 125, overseeing all recruitment, training, performance development and disciplinary proceedings• Set the vision and took the global team on the journey, fostering an environment of inclusivity• Established a 24/7 contact centre operation, with a multicultural team able to speak 8 languages to respond to changing market needs• Substantially grew the affiliates channel, leveraging travel partners that have customer demographics that can have shared booking technology to drive sales and provide mutually beneficial return

I am responsible for the performance of key markets New Zealand, United States and Canada. My role was to ensure that Motorhome Republic provided the best deals and widest choice in motorhome rental. I took a leading role in all areas of growth for my markets, from negotiating deals, identifying and onboarding new supply partners, leading marketing calendars, providing insights for paid advertising, trend and performance analysis.During my time in the role all 3 key markets improved from loss making to permanent profitability.

Having won the rights to host the 2012 Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament after India were unable to deliver the event, Hockey New Zealand had the lofty challenge of not only hosting the largest hockey event outside the Olympics and World Cup but to do so in a record time frame. I joined the team to facilitate delivery and ensure we hit all key milestones on the way to producing a successful event.• Working directly with the Project Manager to ensure all aspects of the event run smoothly• Key Stakeholder communications including board presentations, budget management, supplier liaison• Primary contact for 7 international teams, 21 international officials. Responsibilities including travel arrangements, transport logistics, communications/briefings, delegation accreditation to event facilitation• Managing a team of 11 liaison officers catering for all requirements of the teams, officials, delegates and international VIP’s• Keeping the project on track via use of Gant Charts/MS Project• Supplier negotiations

My newly created role is aimed at delivering additional revenue to Helloworld/Stella Travel Services B2B airfares and ticketing division by leveraging airline and travel industry relationships. I am also the New Zealand project lead for the delivery of a revolutionary self-service airline ticketing platform - Smart Tickets Online.- Generate additional revenue streams through airline marketing campaigns- Distribute and drive tactical airfare campaigns through the various travel channels- Analyse and predict market trends, to support airlines and travel agents in hitting growth targets.- Negotiate commercial wins and marketing contributions for the broader Helloworld group

Lead and challenge a team of 13 staffCreate ticketing efficiencies to allow faster more accurate turnaroundBuild supplier relationships with airlines and travel agents

Quoting and creating airfare itineraries to support over 150 travel agents around New Zealand. Offering outside the box thinking to solve complex travel requirements.