Tech Innovator Individual Award Winner – Thrust Carbon / Opteva Limited

Congratulations on being named Tech Innovator of the Year! What does this recognition mean to you?

Once I moved through the initial feeling of surprise (Gee and Daniel are achieving wonderful things!), I think I mostly feel proud and grateful!

I am not someone who studied tech or writes code every day – but I have always had a huge interest in how technology can streamline processes and improve outcomes. Looking after Thrust Carbon’s early adopter clients gave me the opportunity to sit between mission-driven clients and incredibly smart developers and climate advisors. It gave me the chance to brainstorm process improvements via tech that not only meet the demands of clients and incoming regulations, but ones that will stand the test of time as the travel programme and science evolve.

I’m proud of the work that I did with Thrust Carbon clients and grateful to have been given the trust of Thrust Carbon to look after their clients in their early stage.

You’ve made a real difference in how clients approach emissions reporting — what inspired you to focus on that area?

It is very easy to be overwhelmed by the climate change fight that we all face – and because of that it can be easy to think “nothing I do can move the needle”. However, when you get several people together who believe that perfection shouldn’t stand in the way of progress, you start to focus on what you can control and achieve. My inspiration was the people I’ve been very fortunate to work with along the way who are driven by continual progress vs instant results.

What’s the most exciting piece of travel tech you’ve seen emerge recently?

Well, since being nominated for the award I have left Thrust Carbon and joined Opteva Limited. In my first four weeks I have had the opportunity to reconnect with the wider industry and see what new tech solutions are available.

With sustainability in mind, I am excited to see online booking tools such as Concur Travel starting to support Carbon Budget and/or Carbon Tax display at PoS. This reduction lever really is going to be instrumental in driving emissions control and reduction, whilst recognising the value of face-to-face connections, which business travel enables.

Outside of sustainability, in my first four weeks at Opteva I have been wowed by the Marine and Energy sector and the tools that exist for simplifying very complex travel requirements. I can’t wait to explore more of this sector.

Where do you see the biggest tech opportunity in sustainable travel management right now?

For me, I see huge potential in using AI to improve data quality, with a particular opportunity to do more with expense data. If the same granularity of travel itinerary data could be extracted from expensed receipts, getting a complete view of business travel emissions would be much less complicated.

If you could take a trip anywhere in the world – with no limits on budget or agenda – where would you go and why?

I would love to see the Great Barrier Reef and spend some time involved in any projects designed to protect it. There are many projections on the rate of decline of the reef, but put simply, I would love my children to see it and see first-hand the impact of climate change, as they are the generation who we need to turn to for change.


Discover all of our winners and browse the event images.