Advantage appoints Simon Ferguson as business travel technology advisor

The Advantage Travel Partnership has appointed former Travel Weekly chief executive Simon Ferguson as technology advisor to its global business travel division.

Advantage announced the new role today saying Ferguson would assist with the strategic direction of technology adoption across the business travel division and have scope “to potentially expand this remit across the wider group”.

Ferguson spent nine years working for Travelport, leading the travel distribution technology company’s operations in Europe and then in the US, which led him to move to Atlanta.

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He will join Advantage from transport technology provider Modaxo where he is a senior vice president

Advantage said Ferguson will act as an independent advisor, working closely with technology partnership manager Stephen Baxendale and provide support in assessing new technology enhancements and coaching.

Andrea Caulfield-Smith, Advantage global business travel managing director, hailed Ferguson’s “vast knowledge of the tech landscape and extensive experience of working in travel” and said: “We’re delighted Simon has accepted this new role that will see him provide insight, skill and experience across our technology agenda.

“We have bolstered our expertise around technology over the last 18 months with a dedicated role and newly established steering group.”

She described Ferguson as “exceptionally well placed to provide us with expertise to influence and guide our agenda” and said: “He will assist with unlocking opportunities to elevate and amplify Advantage across the ecosystem with technology discussions, panels and steering group activity.”

Ferguson was publisher of Travel Weekly when it was owned by publisher Reed Elsevier and instrumental in Clive Jacobs’ purchase of the business – now part of Jacobs Media – in 2009.

As publisher, he founded Travel Weekly sister title Travolution as a dedicated digital-travel publication in 2005.

Following Jacob’s takeover of the business, Ferguson became chief executive of Travel Weekly Group.

He joined Travelport in 2011 as managing director for Northern Europe and became president for the Americas in 2018, departing in May 2020.

Ferguson said: “The travel and hospitality and transportation sectors are closely related. I’m delighted to be supporting Advantage, helping its members to remain at the forefront of technology advances.”