On 22 October, the Museum of London played host to Xeinadin’s annual Leaders in Travel Summit, our travel industry flagship event designed to bring together senior leaders shaping the future of the travel sector.
An afternoon filled with insightful discussions, industry expertise, and meaningful networking, this year’s Summit united once again travel industry’s CEOs, Managing Directors, CFOs, Finance Directors, as well as travel entrepreneurs and travel business owners from across the UK. Together, they explored the issues defining the travel industry today and the opportunities that lie ahead.
This year’s summit has seen Xeinadin’s Partner and Head of Travel, Jonathan Wall, host the event once again but this time, joined by our recent hire from the CAA and formerly Santander, Zoe Powell, Director – Travel, Hospitality and Leisure.
At its heart, the Leaders in Travel Summit is all about bringing the travel industry together, about collaboration and shared growth. The discussions, panels and fireside chats were designed to challenge assumptions, share experience, and connect. Every year our aim is to inspire leaders and help them find new ways to adapt and thrive.
Insights That Sparked Conversation
The afternoon featured a series of thought-provoking sessions, each bringing its own valuable perspective:
The power of influence and the digital age
Baroness Ayesha Hazarika opened the event with a powerful reminder of the changing dynamics between politics, media, and business. She urged travel leaders to lobby their local MPs and make their voices heard, especially as the next general election will be shaped by social media, memes, and algorithms. Her message underscored the importance of advocacy and visibility in an increasingly digital world.
AI as an enabler …with accountability
A major theme throughout the day was artificial intelligence and its role in shaping business operations. Delegates explored how AI can streamline processes, enhance personalisation, and unlock new efficiencies but also heard a crucial reminder: in highly regulated sectors, innovation must go hand in hand with responsibility and care.
Leadership, legacy and evolution
In a captivating fireside chat, one of the travel industry’s most well-known names, Jo Rzymowska MBE, shared her personal and professional journey with Jonathan Wall, Xeinadin Partner and Head of Travel. From her early days rooted in languages and family values to her influential leadership in the cruise sector and becoming a non-executive Director at Hays Travel and founding Jovolution, Jo’s story inspired delegates to embrace resilience, authenticity, and adaptability, all these being qualities that define true leadership in travel.
Patience and process in market transactions
Mel Phaure from Bluecube, joined by Paul Whitney, Xeinadin’s Head of Corporate Finance, and Deborah Potts, Director at Summit Advisory, shone a light on the reality behind M&A transactions. Their discussion reminded leaders that success often depends on patience and process, particularly when navigating complex financial and strategic transitions. Not only that, but the conversation also touched on points such as the importance of constant communication when it comes to cross-cultural deals, timelines being stretched and deals taking longer due to buyers being more risk adverse, as well as how much the chemistry between buyer and seller matters when it comes to a successful M&A deal.
Inheritance Tax and financial foresight
Paul Webster, Partner at Xeinadin, delivered an engaging session on the forthcoming Business Property Relief Inheritance Tax changes, pointing out that these changes don’t only apply to protesting farmers, and reinforcing the importance of financial foresight across all sectors, including travel.
Adapting workplace policies for the modern world
The ABC panel that brought on stage Ami Naru (Partner, Head of Employment – Travlaw), Basia Kolosinska (Managing Director & Co-Owner – C&M Travel Recruitment) and Claire Steiner (veteran Travel Industry HR and Talent Professional) delved into how workplace expectations are shifting, from flexible working to diversity and wellbeing, and what leaders must do to stay ahead. Their insights made it clear that agility, empathy and clear communication are key to building future-ready teams.
Turning complaints into opportunities
Another important takeaway on the day also came from Cork Bays & Fisher, who reframed the conversation around customer complaints. Too often viewed purely as risk management, they reminded delegates that complaints offer real insight and real opportunity.
“When we listen closely, we find the friction, the unmet expectations, and the chance to build trust.”
We are sure that this statement resonated deeply with attendees, highlighting that the best travel brands are those that treat feedback (even negative!) as a source of growth and innovation.
Navigating global financial challenges
Our headline sponsor, Airwallex, led a compelling discussion around Navigating the Turbulence: Managing Financial Risk in an Age of Geopolitics and AI.
The panel was moderated by Ben Hornby (Director, Airwallex EMEA), who was joined by Saso Krumpak (Founder, Happy Tours), Tannah Matus (CFO, Secret Food Tours) and Alex Graves (CFO, Tour Partner Group).
The discussion moved beyond theory to explore practical strategies for managing inflation and currency risk, harnessing AI for predictive forecasting and efficiency, choosing the right financial technology partners, and adapting destination portfolios in an unstable world.
The panel also touched on critical changes they made to their financial operations post-pandemic to build resilience, the importance of the right technology stack v the right team mindset when it comes to financial agility, adapting pricing amid inflation, the demands of premium customers, separating the hype from the reality when it comes to AI and so much more.
Why events like this matter
The Leaders in Travel Summit isn’t just a date on the travel industry calendar; it’s an investment in progress. In a world where customer expectations evolve daily, technology continues to transform business, and global markets remain unpredictable, it’s vital for leaders to come together to exchange knowledge and experience.
By attending, delegates gained:
- Actionable insights from experts and trailblazers.
- Fresh perspectives to apply within their own organisations.
- Connections that extend beyond the event, fostering partnerships and collaboration across the industry.
As one attendee reflected, “You leave the room with new ideas, new energy, and new people to learn from, that’s the true value of this summit.”
Looking ahead
For Xeinadin, hosting the Leaders in Travel Summit is about more than thought leadership, it’s about supporting a thriving, forward-thinking travel community.
The conversations held at the Museum of London reaffirmed that progress doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when leaders share ideas, challenge the status quo, and work together to build an industry defined by innovation, integrity, and connection.
As we look ahead to another year of opportunity, one thing is clear: the travel industry’s future is bright and it’s being shaped by leaders who aren’t afraid to listen, adapt, and lead with purpose.
Get in touch with our travel sector specialists at Xeinadin to find out how we can support your growth.
