Our Roll Call of Judges

Amy Skelding

Managing Partner

FINN Partners

Amy's journey in the travel industry began with a passion for exploration and a keen eye for storytelling. As a precocious pre-teen, Amy was the child presenter of BBC Radio 4’s flagship travel programme Breakaway and reported across the globe, from Paris to New York on what made these destinations worth visiting for kids.  And so, the seed was sown for a lifelong love with travel and the never-ending search for ‘the story’. Now the Managing Partner of FINN’s Travel PR team in the UK, Amy ensures that the stories of every destination and brand they touch are told with passion, creativity, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world of travel.

Andrew McConnell

Deputy Director for Communications & Engagement

UK Civil Aviation Authority

Andrew is Deputy Director for Communications & Engagement at the UK Civil Aviation Authority. In his role he also oversees the marketing of the ATOL Financial Protection Scheme. He has worked with the Transport Sector for more than 30 years and has worked for several UK and international airlines. In 2021, he was given the Freedom of the City of London.

Barry Neild

Global Editor

CNN Travel

Barry Neild is the Global Editor for CNN Travel, supervising all travel-related content across CNN's digital products. Based in London, he helms a team of staff reporters and international freelancers, working closely with CNN Travel's teams in New York, Atlanta, Bangkok and Hong Kong. Neild joined CNN in 2006, working for its digital news operations before switching to its travel team in 2015. Prior to working at CNN he worked as a correspondent for the AFP news agency, reporting headline news stories from destinations including Afghanistan, Indonesia, China and Iraq.

Carol Hay

Lead Consultant and Chief Tourism Officer

McKenzie Gayle Limited

Carol Hay is an enthusiastic, energetic, and highly respected leader, with a proven record of outstanding achievements in the travel and tourism industry. Carol is widely recognised for her expertise in sustainable tourism development and competitiveness, destination marketing, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tourism sector and maintaining strong trade and media relations. Some of the notable positions held by Carol include: Director UK and Europe, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and Director of Marketing UK & Europe, Caribbean Tourism Organisation. Carol is the Chief Tourism Officer for McKenzie Gayle Limited, a tourism development consultancy she founded,  and currently supports a few destinations in training and development projects. Carol is a sought-after speaker, facilitator, moderator, and trainer, who has addressed diverse audiences across Europe, the Caribbean, North America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.  She lectures part time for the Global School of Banking delivering the Canterbury Christchurch University BSc in Business and Tourism. Additionally, Carol is an executive trainer for the London Premier Centre (LPC); a trainer and consultant for Human Network International (HNI) Saudi Arabia.  Carol was recently appointed as an Auditor, Collaborator and Trainer for UNWTO Academy.

Caroline Moultrie

President

MMGY Global EMEA

Caroline Moultrie is an award-winning global business leader and a seasoned expert in the travel and tourism industry. With her role as President at MMGY Global EMEA, she is the trusted advisor to some of the world's most prominent tourism destinations and brands. Caroline's clients represent the pinnacle of the global tourism sector, and she leverages her strategic insight, international marketing expertise, and her ability to stay ahead of the latest industry trends to drive their success. Caroline's leadership extends to overseeing the London teams at MMGY Global EMEA, where she deftly guides clients to achieve their goals through a combination of strategic vision and tactical implementation. Her invaluable industry knowledge and extensive network of contacts have been cultivated over a distinguished career that includes significant roles in the airport and airline sector. Her contributions to renowned brands such as Manchester Airport Group and Virgin Atlantic Airways have left an indelible mark on the industry. Before taking on her current role, Caroline Moultrie served as the Executive Vice President for Business Strategy at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Her senior-level experience at both WTTC and throughout her career informs her leadership style and positions her as a true thought leader within the travel and tourism industry. Caroline's dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence continue to shape the future of the global tourism landscape.

Charlotte Humphrey

PR Manager

Princess Cruises UK & Europe

Charlotte Humphrey is the PR Manager for Princess Cruises UK and Europe. Within this role, Charlotte manages the media relations across UK and Europe markets, working closely with journalists, content creators and key stakeholders to showcase the unparalleled holiday experiences that Princess Cruises offers. Having worked in the public relations sector for ten years, Charlotte’s experience spans orchestrating large-scale events to day-to-day press office activities. Charlotte has extensive knowledge of the cruise industry, with her previous role involving managing external communications for Cruise Lines International Association UK & Ireland. Career highlights include working with TV production teams for national broadcast shows including ITV’s The Cruise and Channel 5’s Cruising with Susan Calman; building relationships with esteemed journalists within the travel sector; and supporting the global PR team in generating coverage and building awareness around Princess Cruises’ next-generation ship, Sun Princess, which debuts this year. 

Daniel Pearce

CEO & Owner

TTG Media

Daniel Pearce is CEO and owner of TTG Media, the award-winning, B Corp-certified media business delivering results for the travel industry in the UK and beyond through magazines, websites and events. Celebrating 28 years in the media in 2024, Daniel joined TTG as Editor in 2010, before moving to brand director in 2012 and mounting a management buy-out and setting up independent business TTG Media in 2013. In April 2019 the business rebranded under a new vision to promote a ‘Smarter, Better, Fairer’ travel industry – while in December 2023 it attained B Corp status underlining its belief in prioritizing people and the planet alongside profit.

Dawn Page

Marketing Director

True Traveller Insurance

Dawn is Marketing Director of True Traveller Insurance, responsible for driving the organisation’s PR & Marketing strategies. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, she has successfully managed to combine her passion for travel with a career spanning over 30 years in tourism PR and marketing. A well-known industry figure, Dawn started her travel career in the airline industry and has since held management roles in several tourist boards including Tourism Australia, where she was responsible for PR for the UK & Europe. Prior to True Traveller, she spent 12 years, as Director UK & Northern Europe at the Hong Kong Tourist Board, responsible for the Board’s Marketing and PR.

Debbie Hindle

Vice-Chair

The Travel Foundation

Debbie Hindle is the Vice-Chair of the Travel Foundation charity and has specialised in travel communications for the past three decades. She is also a judge of the Global Responsible Tourism Awards, and an advisor to the Inclusive Travel Forum. In 2023, she was the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award in the TravMedia Awards.

Fiona Anderson

Director

GEC PR

Fiona is a Company Director at specialist travel and lifestyle PR agency GEC PR. Fiona has enjoyed a 25-year PR career, and her travel client experience includes premium tourism brands that include Aitken Spence Hotels, Conrad, Kimpton and Hilton Hotels. Over the years, Fiona has had the pleasure of representing destinations as diverse as Central America, India, the Maldives, the Philippines, Jamaica, and Kyoto in Japan. Fiona is also a Fellow of the UK’s Tourism Society, and enjoys travelling for fun in her spare time.

Florian Valmy-Devillers

Director

Caribbean Tourism Organisation UK & Europe

Florian Valmy-Devillers is the Director of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Chapter UK & Europe, a membership organisation strong of 80+public and private sector members. Having worked with Caribbean tourism organisations since 2016, his current role with the CTO Chapter allows him to market the Caribbean region across the United Kingdom and Europe. Florian has organised high-level projects at the ministerial level such as projects to the European Commission and networking forums with diplomatic missions including both government and non-government organisations for tourism ministers, executives, and media. Expert in Tourism Development, Florian speaks three languages fluently and has travelled the globe extensively working on international tourism projects in five continents.

Freya Matthews

PR Manager

British Airways Holidays

Freya Matthews manages the PR for one of the UK’s leading and most trusted tour operators, British Airways Holidays. Previous to this she worked at a leading PR and marketing agency working on a wide variety of travel clients, including tourist boards, tour operators and hotels.

George Kipouros

Editor in Chief & CEO

Wanderlust

George is a serial entrepreneur with experience in the travel, media and technology sectors. He previously co-founded AI Business which grew to become the global leader in AI media, exhibitions, and research space with a multi-million-dollar global presence. When his business was successfully acquired by a large multinational, George started to pursue his life-long dream of sharing his passion for travel. Travel as George’s raison d'être found its home at Wanderlust, the oldest independent travel magazine in Europe. Since 2020, George has led the editorial direction of the organisation alongside driving a comprehensive transformation and expansion of the brand’s global footprint. George has invested heavily in the digital side of the business and launched the Wanderlust MetaTravel proposition, a global first in the world of travel media. Wanderlust is now the most-read UK travel magazine with the highest average circulation across and print and digital, and continues to pioneer coverage of authentic, responsible and sustainable travel.

Graeme Buck

Director of Communications

ABTA

Graeme leads ABTA’s external and internal communications, including PR and media relations, marketing communications, events and brand stewardship. Joining ABTA in 2020, he was previously Head of Communications for Waitrose & Partners. He brings to the role nearly 30 years’ experience of working with major organisations.

Jamie-Lee Abtar

Marketing Manager

Not In The Guidebooks

Experienced travel marketer with a decade in crafting strategies for travel & lifestyle brands. At Not in the Guidebooks Jamie-Lee is responsible for driving marketing initiatives, brand elevation, and partnerships. Not in the guidebooks are experts in experience-led travel. Every trip, from short breaks to long-haul adventures, is crafted by locals who reveal amazing, authentic experiences you'd otherwise miss. Don't just see a destination, experience it!

Jane Dunford

Travel Editor

The Guardian

Jane Dunford is Deputy Head of Travel at The Guardian and a freelance editor/writer (and yoga teacher). She has been working in travel for over 15 years and is particularly interested in sustainable, environmentally-friendly travel that supports nature and local communities, as well as wellbeing and adventure. She also helps run reforestation non-profit Forests Without Frontiers.

Jane Knight

Freelance Travel Journalist and Editor

Having worked as travel editor of The Times for a decade, Jane Knight is now a freelance writer, editor and content strategist. Her recent articles have appeared everywhere from The Telegraph and the FT to The Mail and Country & Town House. She edits the Good Hotel Guide and is responsible for travel news at the British Travel Journal. Jane also provides content including inhouse magazine features, advertorials, websites, blog posts, press releases and brochures for clients including Relais & Châteaux, the Alabama Tourism Department, and Crystal Cruises. She conducts in-house PR and media training for agencies and travel companies.

Jim Odoire

Managing Director

Black Diamond

Jim is the Managing Director and a founding partner of Black Diamond. For the past 29 years he has led the company’s transformation from an extreme sports content production company to one of the UK's most creative full service travel and tourism marketing and communications agencies.  Black Diamond is part of the Miles Partnership, the US' foremost strategic marketing consultancy specialising in travel and tourism, and the International Tourism Group, Europe's first fully integrated multinational tourism marketing and PR agency with seven offices across six countries.

Jules Ugo

CEO

LOTUS

Jules is CEO of award-winning strategic communications consultancy, LOTUS, and is one of the most respected and well-known PR practitioners in the industry with twenty-five years in the field. Known for leading a results-driven agency that specialises in brand building, placemaking and earned media delivery for the world’s flagship travel, hospitality and lifestyle brands and destinations Jules has a strategic mindset, global outlook and track record for delivering high-profile international campaigns often focusing on emerging and developing markets. Included in PR Week’s 2024 Power Book for the seventh year running, Jules is highlighted as a leading figure in the travel comms space. She has served on the PRCA Council, been vice-chairman of the PRCA Travel and Tourism Group and is a regular judge for the PRCA Dare and PR Week Awards.

Julie Giraud

PR Director

MSL

Multilingual Julie Giraud has over 15 years' experience of public relations in the UK. Prior to working with MSL, Julie ran her own travel PR consultancy for six years. Before that Julie was an Associate Director at Four Communications where she worked on global travel PR campaigns and headed up the influencer outreach programme for clients including Air France, KLM and Stena Line. Julie was also a speaker at various influencer conferences such as Traverse and World Travel Market. Julie used to head up prestigious accounts such as Etihad Airways, spending three months in the head office in Abu Dhabi as part of the corporate affairs team, Scandinavian Airlines, Air France KLM. She worked on destinations and tourist boards including promoting skiing in Catalonia, and the regions of Emilia Romagna in Italy and South Australia, as well as the Oman Ministry of Tourism. More recently, she looked after luxury expedition cruise company, PONANT and Morocco’s national airline, Royal Air Maroc, as well as The City of London Corporation, Big Bus Tours, independent luxury hotel group, ADLER Spa Resorts & Lodges, METT Hotels & Beach resorts, Royal Palm Residences, Welcome Bologna, Dolomighty Marketing, a gastro-pub and B&B in Somerset, and Godney Arts House – also in Somerset. Prior to working in PR, Julie was a project manager for a web design company in Dublin for two and a half years and holds a Master’s degree in communications, project management and multilingual negotiations from the University of West Brittany. She speaks French, English and Spanish fluently, some Italian and is currently learning Arabic.

Kevin Gibson

Director of Marketing, Public Relations and Communications – EMEA

Universal Destinations & Experiences

Kevin is fast approaching his ten-year anniversary at Universal Destinations & Experiences where he currently handles all of the European publicity and marketing for the theme park and resort destinations in North America. During this time he has handled the grand opening media events for many pivotal moments in the history of Universal, including the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. He was also pivotal in the partnership between Universal Orlando and ITV’s Saturday Night Takeaway for which the show has broadcast live from Orlando on two separate occasions. Prior to Universal, Kevin spent nine years at travel PR agency Hills Balfour where he worked on numerous hotel and tourist board clients including Visit Florida, The Arizona Office of Tourism and Choose Chicago.

Laura Brander

Vice President – Communications

Virgin Atlantic

Laura is Vice President, Communications at Virgin Atlantic, where she’s responsible for corporate comms, consumer PR, events, internal communications and people engagement, thought leadership and crisis response globally for the airline, holiday business and cargo operation. She led the communications response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the transformation of the airline. This included cross industry lobbying efforts for the aviation sector, ensuring a path to recovery by re-opening the skies. After 603 days, on 8 November 2021 the reopening of the vital transatlantic corridor was marked with a unique Virgin Atlantic - British Airways dual take-off. Laura has masterminded many inaugural route launches with Sir Richard Branson, including Tel Aviv, Austin and Tampa; product launches for the airline’s state of the art A350 and A330neo aircraft; and high profile DE&I initiatives, such as the world’s first Pride Flight and agenda-setting tattoo and gender neutral uniform policy campaigns, which won 20 industry awards. In November 2023, she led communications for Flight100, the world’s first flight across the Atlantic on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Laura joined Virgin Atlantic in 2018. Previously, she spent 15 years heading up communications in leading UK newsrooms, spanning BBC Global News, Radio 4, BBC World Service and ITV News at ITN. There, she relaunched ITV’s iconic News at Ten and promoted powerful investigative journalism such as the Jimmy Savile scandal. Laura studied at the University of Edinburgh. She lives in London and is a board member of the Women of the Year Foundation and Awards.

Lauren Khawam

Senior Communications Manager

easyJet holidays

Lauren Khawam leads the Communications function at easyJet holidays, overseeing the UK and European press offices and responsible for all consumer and corporate PR as well as internal communications and engagement. Lauren joined the business in 2020, shortly after its launch, with a focus on increasing brand awareness for the company which in 2023 became the UK’s fastest growing tour operator. Prior to easyJet holidays, Lauren worked for British Airways. Laura joined Virgin Atlantic in 2018. Previously, she spent 15 years heading up communications in leading UK newsrooms, spanning BBC Global News, Radio 4, BBC World Service and ITV News at ITN. There, she relaunched ITV’s iconic News at Ten and promoted powerful investigative journalism such as the Jimmy Savile scandal. Laura studied at the University of Edinburgh. She lives in London and is a board member of the Women of the Year Foundation and Awards.

Lisa Minot

Head of Travel

The Sun

Lisa Minot is Head of Travel at The Sun. She has worked for the national newspaper for 32 years and has been Travel Editor and Head of Travel for the past 24 years. A regular on TV and radio commenting on Travel, she heads up the team at The Sun in charge of the print and digital operations.

Louise Ferrall

Senior PR Manager

VisitEngland

Louise has worked in the travel industry for over 15 years, representing an array of global destinations, tour operators; luxury hotels, spas and aviation clients. Her experience covers all aspects of PR and integrated marketing, from strategic campaign planning and media relations to event management, influencer marketing and brand partnerships. Passionate about championing our amazing home-grown tourism experiences, Louise joined VisitEngland in 2016 and now oversees domestic consumer PR and influencer activity, driving integration across owned, earned and paid campaigns. Louise is the proud recipient of the TravMedia In-House PR Team of the Year 2022 and Digital PR Campaign of the Year 2023.

Lysbeth Fox

CEO

Fox Communications

Lysbeth Fox is the CEO of luxury travel and lifestyle communications agency Fox Communications, whose portfolio of clients includes some of the most prestigious in the world. A highly professional and experienced executive within the luxury sector, Lysbeth has overseen strategic direction and implemented innovative media campaigns for some of the most prestigious brands worldwide. Providing high-quality, strategic media campaigns, Lysbeth is highly skilled at bringing her clients visions to life. Passionate about the work she does, her industry specialisms include strategy, integrated channel management, media relations, luxury brand partnerships, and ultra-high net worth introductions. Previously at the helm of two major PR firms, Lysbeth cultivated and managed a team of experienced PR professionals, including serving as Global Communications Director at Jet Republic, a private aviation company, where she was responsible for the press and publicity across 21 countries, managing a network of 13 international agencies. Starting from a consumer PR grounding, Lysbeth has worked across travel, health, food and FMCG within the luxury sector. Her background covers launching and repositioning new and existing companies and brands implementing strategic campaigns that resulted in high impact awareness for brands across the world. During her time at Weber Shandwick, Lysbeth was responsible for launching one of the firm’s largest healthcare brands, after Weber Lysbeth was MD at Talk Luxury which meant a temporary relocation to Los Angeles. With 30 years in the industry, Lysbeth is passionate about public relations - she is insightful, creative and an ardent proponent of the power of good communications.

Marine Teste

Head of Public Relations

Atout France

With over 10 years’ experience in luxury hospitality and international travel, Marine is Head of PR at Atout France, works with a team of 4 and is responsible for all internal and external PR work of the French Tourism Board in the UK & Ireland.

Mark Palmer

Travel Editor

Daily Mail

Mark Palmer is one of the longest serving travel editors in the country, having joined the Daily Mail, the UK’s highest circulation national daily newspaper, some 15 years ago. He is truly a veteran of Fleet Street, having worked variously at the Evening Standard (Londoner’s Diary), Sunday Telegraph (News Editor) and Daily Express (Executive Editor). He is the author of two books – one about football, the other a history of Clarks shoes. He lives in London and the Scottish Borders. His list of banned words for all journalists and PRs is a matter of industry legend.

Martyn SumnerS

Executive Director

AITO – The Specialist Travel Association

Martyn is the Executive Director at AITO – The Specialist Travel Association, and has nearly 40 years of experience in all areas of the UK Outbound Travel Industry. Travel is his passion as he looks to help SME travel businesses achieve their full potential. When not in the travel space he is rugby fanatic =- both watching and coaching.

Myriam Ziesack

Marketing Manager UK & Ireland

Switzerland Tourism

Myriam Ziesack has joined Switzerland Tourism as Head of Media and Communications UK & Ireland in summer 2020. Her career has been in corporate communications at large Swiss enterprises, international companies such as on PR agency side and she has developed extensive experience in the travel and airline industry in recent years. She’s always trying to come up with a creative twist to promote Switzerland as a holiday, travel and conference destination.

Rachel O’Reilly

Director of Communications

Kuoni

As Communications Director for luxury worldwide travel company Kuoni for the past 10 years, Rachel makes regular appearances on television and radio and also hosts the company’s own internal news programme on a weekly basis. She’s worked and travelled throughout Australasia, the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Africa and Europe and is well-versed in talking to the media about destination trends. Throughout her 30-year career in travel Rachel has worked for companies of all shapes and sizes, from large mass-market companies to small, independently-run start-ups and is listed at number three on the latest PR Week Powerbook of the UK’s most influential PR professionals in travel list.

Stuart Fyfe

PR Manager UK & Northern Europe

Tourism Australia

Stuart heads up Tourism Australia’s PR team in their London office where he has worked for six years. Originally from Sydney where he managed the PR for numerous hotels, he relocated to London ten years ago and has since managed the PR for tourism boards, airlines, hotel brands and operators across the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Tolene Van Der Merwe

Director UK & Ireland

Malta Tourism Authority

Tolene joined the Malta Tourism Authority in 2019 as Director: UK & Ireland. Responsible for the marketing and brand management in the UK & Ireland for the Maltese Islands. She and her team in London work closely with the travel trade to educate and help them inspire travellers to book a trip to the islands. With over 25 years’ experience in the tourism industry, Tolene has also held the role of Hub Head UK & Ireland for South African Tourism, Director of a hotel representation company, Product Manager for an outbound Tour operator and Sales Manager for a hotel group.

Tracey Poggio-Magnus

UK Head Media and Marketing, Gibraltar Tourist Board and Chair, ANTOR

Having started her career in PR, Tracey has worked in the travel industry for over 25 years across multiple disciplines for both public and private sector entities. In 2000 She was a founding Director of an early digital marketing agency dotcom PR which won Docklands Business of the Year. In 2006, she set up the Gibraltar Conference Bureau which was amalgamated into the structure of the current Gibraltar Tourist Board, of which she is the current UK Head. As Chair of the Association of National Tourist Offices and Representatives- ANTOR, which consists of over 60 UK officially represented destinations, Tracey steers a global Board voicing the work of Tourist Board activity and development in the UK.

Uwern Jong

Experientialist®-in-Chief and co-Founder

OutThere magazine

Uwern Jong (he/him) is Experientialist®-in-Chief and co-Founder at OutThere magazine, a multi-award luxury and experiential travel journal rooted in its brand values of diversity, discovery and discernment. A luxury travel expert, hotel aficionado and inclusive and intersectional tourism advocate, Uwern was recently awarded by the Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) as LGBTQ+ Travel Trailblazer of the Year and by Walpole (the association of British luxury brands) as one of the top 50 most influential people in British luxury.