CEO Magazine: Leading with Latitude

In an engaging and insightful exclusive interview with The CEO Magazine, Tom Walley, the Australia-based Global Managing Director of Corporate Traveller, offers a deep dive into the company's unique approach to travel management.

With a refreshing down-to-earth energy, Walley says, "You can be yourself here. No one has an ego. We take our business seriously, but not ourselves."

It's this authentic and warm culture that has become the cornerstone of Corporate Traveller's impressive success, and has led the company to become the most productive and profitable business within the Flight Centre Travel Group.

Elevating customer experience is at the heart of the business

"People expect more efficiency from their travel companies, which we consistently deliver," shares Walley. Yet, it's more than just speed – it's about offering a premium customer experience that combines ease of access and usability with exceptional service. As someone who travels long-haul up to eight times a year, Walley deeply understands the nuances of travelling for business.

Corporate Traveller stands apart by seamlessly blending technology with a genuine human touch. "We automate the ordinary so we can shine in the extraordinary," Walley explains, highlighting the innovative AI tools the company is developing.

The goal isn't to dazzle with tech

But Walley stresses, the goal isn’t to dazzle with tech; it’s to make travel frictionless for customers. “As a business traveller myself, all I want is for it to work,” Walley says. “If something goes pear-shaped, I like the ability to have someone solve it. That’s when I call Emma, my agent, back here in Australia, and she deals with it for me. We all love travel, and we know what it’s like to be away from your family and a million miles from home. That authentic understanding of our customers, about what SMEs want, is what sets us apart.”

The focus on small and medium-sized enterprises has allowed Corporate Traveller to find its perfect balance. "We win when we stay in the SME space, and we hero our people with technology," Walley affirms.

A culture of ownership

Walley's leadership and vision provide a great deal of insight into Corporate Traveller’s success story and how this unique company manages to stay ahead in the competitive world of travel management. To delve deeper into Tom's experiences and learn more about the DNA of Corporate Traveller's, read the full profile in The CEO Magazine’s latest cover story.

About Tom Walley

Tom is a dynamic, strategic-thinking and culture-oriented leader with about three decades of experience in the travel and aviation industries. He is an award-winning Executive General Manager and culture specialist with a passion for delivering consistent brand and workforce cultures that engage team members as much as customers.

He is the Global Managing Director of the Flight Centre Travel Group owned Corporate Traveller and has been an executive across various Flight Centre Travel Group businesses for more than two decades. He has successfully driven strategic growth through innovative product development and disruptive technology. Tom's expertise lies in global brand management and cultivating vibrant workforce that foster engagement and high service standards. Tom's position as the Global head of Corporate Traveller sees him leveraging his extensive experience to lead the SME-focused team across six countries. He is passionate about empowering teams, fostering environments that prioritise training and mentorship to overcome challenges and achieve exceptional results.

A travel industry veteran, Tom also holds a commercial pilot’s license, illustrating his deep connection to the aviation sector. His commitment to enhancing capabilities and brand reputation highlights his ability to not only improve performance but elevate industry standards.