George Ogden’s journey at Travel Counsellors for Business is one built on hands-on experience, collaboration, and a passion for helping businesses travel smarter. Having joined Travel Counsellors through the Graduate Scheme, George has worked across multiple areas of the business before finding his place within the corporate team — a path that has given him a unique understanding of both client needs and the wider travel landscape.
From sales enablement to business development
“Most recently, I was working as Sales Enablement Lead, supporting our direct sales team as well as Travel Counsellors across the network to attract and win new business.”
“After two and a half years in the sales enablement environment, I felt it was the right time to take that experience into direct sales,” he says. “Now, I’m able to work closely with businesses to understand their challenges and help them build travel programmes that genuinely work for them.”
No two days are ever the same for George — something he thrives on. A typical day might involve reviewing his sales pipeline, planning outreach to prospective clients, discussing opportunities with Travel Counsellors, or identifying new business leads through a variety of platforms.
“A big part of my role is understanding the client’s needs and then proposing the right solution,” he explains. “It’s about listening first and making sure we’re delivering something that adds real value.”
Creating the right balance between tech and service
Through his conversations with businesses across a wide range of sectors, George has seen first-hand how expectations around corporate travel are evolving. While technology continues to be a key focus, he believes service remains the defining factor when organisations evaluate their travel partnerships.
“Technology is high on the agenda for many clients,” George says, “but when you really dig into the pain points they’re experiencing with their current TMC, service is still the underlying need. Businesses want the right blend of innovative tech and genuine human support — that’s what creates a well-managed, care-led travel programme.”
Sustainability and duty of care are also becoming increasingly important considerations for corporate clients, and George is passionate about helping businesses meet these evolving expectations with confidence.
Supporting clients with sustainability and duty of care
“We have market-leading reporting capabilities when it comes to sustainability and duty of care,” he explains. “Clients can access CO₂ emissions reports before and after booking, and we also offer more than 1,500 Green Leaf accredited properties to support environmentally conscious travel decisions.”
Alongside sustainability, traveller wellbeing and safety remain central to the Travel Counsellors for Business proposition.
“Our Travel Counsellors deliver exceptional duty of care to their clients,” George says. “Combined with myTC Locate, which provides traveller tracking and live alerts, businesses can feel reassured that their people are supported wherever they are in the world.”
When advising organisations considering switching TMCs — or working with one for the first time — George encourages businesses to take a step back and think carefully about what they truly need from their travel programme.
“I’d always recommend reviewing exactly how you want travel to be managed,” he says. “Whether your priority is cost savings, stronger duty of care, or simply the confidence that your bookings are being looked after by a trusted travel professional, understanding those priorities helps you find the right fit.”
What sets Travel Counsellors for Business apart
For George, what truly sets Travel Counsellors for Business apart is its people-first approach — something he believes is increasingly valuable in today’s travel environment.
“Having a team of travel professionals who genuinely care about your business and want to build long-lasting relationships creates a completely different experience,” he says. “Our human-first approach, backed by industry-leading technology, offers a unique balance between a service-led and tech-led TMC.”
Looking ahead, George believes businesses are increasingly moving towards more personalised, service-driven travel support — particularly in light of recent global travel disruption.
“When disruption happens, knowing your Travel Counsellor is reviewing and managing changes behind the scenes offers real peace of mind,” he says. “I think more clients are recognising the value of having trusted people supporting them, not just technology alone.”
Looking for a more personal approach to corporate travel
George believes the best travel partnerships are built on trust, relationships, and proactive support. If your business is looking for a TMC that combines industry-leading technology with genuinely personal service, the Travel Counsellors for Business team would love to hear from you. Get in touch today for a no-pressure chat about how we can support your business travel.