Voices of Excellence: Paul Dear

Mentor of the Year Award Winner – SAP Concur

What does winning Mentor of the Year mean to you?

Winning Mentor of the Year is a real privilege, but for me, it reflects more than just personal recognition — it highlights how the travel industry actively supports and nurtures emerging talent. It’s a sign of how we come together to invest in the next generation.


Your mentee described you as creating a “safe space” — what’s your approach to building trust?

For me, a safe space starts with confidentiality and the understanding that there’s no such thing as a stupid question. The travel industry can be full of assumed knowledge, so it’s vital to create an environment where people feel comfortable asking anything — that’s where real growth happens. It’s equally valuable for mentors, who often learn just as much from the process.


What’s been the most surprising thing you’ve learned through mentoring?

Mentoring has hugely improved my approach to people management — it’s all about understanding how individuals think, learn, and what drives them. One surprising lesson is how much you can learn from people outside your own area of expertise; just because someone doesn’t speak the “language” of travel doesn’t mean they aren’t incredibly smart or insightful.


Why do you believe mentoring is so important in our industry today?

Travel can be deliberately complex, with structures that sometimes create barriers to entry. Mentoring helps break those down, allowing smart, driven people to ask “why” — and challenge outdated ways of working. That fresh perspective isn’t just good for the mentee, it pushes all of us to grow and think differently.

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

I’ve been lucky to travel extensively, but two places stand out: I’d return to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef — it’s ecologically minded, car-free, and simply stunning. But top of my to-visit list is Japan during cherry blossom season — it’s long been a dream and high on my retirement travel plans.


Discover all of our winners and browse the event images.