As ITM continues to strengthen its Board with experienced voices from across the business travel industry, we’re delighted to welcome Michael Funnell from Barclays to the team.

With more than 35 years of experience in corporate travel, Michael brings a wealth of buyer-side knowledge, strategic insight and industry perspective. We caught up with Michael to learn more about what motivated him to join the ITM Board and what he’s most looking forward to in the role.

What motivated you to join the ITM Board, and what excites you most about the opportunity?

After over 35 years in corporate travel, I would really like to give back to the industry that has given so many amazing experiences to me. I think ITM is such an important force for bringing the industry together and I am looking forward to helping to continue this work.

What perspectives or experiences do you hope to bring to the Board and wider ITM community?

Through my years in corporate travel on the buyer side, I have been through so many cycles and major events. I can draw on these experiences and apply the learnings to help navigate the challenges that will undoubtedly come over the years I will serve on the Board.

What do you see as the biggest opportunities for the business travel industry over the next few years?

It is such an exciting time to be in this industry right now. Whilst everyone is talking about how new technology is going to change the world, I think the way we can skill up existing and new entrants to the industry to harness the tech is the biggest opportunity.

What are you most looking forward to about working alongside the rest of the ITM Board?

I have been a member of ITM for a long while and am always in awe of the work that the secretariat and Board members put in, both day to day and during events. So I am most looking forward to working alongside them and learning from them.

What’s one thing you’d love ITM members to know about you outside of work?

I am obsessed with wing foiling. Nothing beats flying over the waves, powered only by the wind and in almost silence. If you haven’t heard of it, Google it and give it a go.

We’re thrilled to welcome Michael to the ITM Board and look forward to the insight, experience and energy he will bring to the community over the coming years.

Stay tuned over the coming weeks as we introduce the rest of our new Board Directors.