I am sharing today that I will be stepping down as CEO of Travalyst at the end of this year.
This is not a decision I’ve taken lightly. After months of deep reflection, I’ve reached a point in my journey where I know I need to give more time back to my family, and to myself.
The last five years have been energetic, exhilarating, and profoundly rewarding. It’s been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as CEO and part of the Travalyst team. From a small group around a table with a bold vision, we’ve grown into a global movement, a $3tn coalition reaching billions of people, proving what’s possible when travel is reimagined as a force for good.
Reading our five-year milestone report earlier this year brought immense pride, reflecting on all we’ve achieved and how hard we’ve worked to get here. It also led me to recognise I had a very hard choice to make. I fought that choice for quite some time, desperately wanting to keep doing it all. But then one of the wisest and kindest of humans – our Chair, Gianni Marostica – told me, from his own great experience: you can do it all, just not all at the same time.
I’ve always believed in doing meaningful work whilst being fully present for the ones I love, but as a keen gardener I’ve also learned that there are seasons for everything. The most courageous choice sometimes is to pause and prioritise what matters most in the moment. And right now it’s my family. We don’t often celebrate this kind of transition as a positive, intentional move, but that’s exactly what this is.
As Travalyst steps into its next chapter, it’s humbling to see the size and strength of the ecosystem we’ve nurtured. And as any good gardener knows, in times of great growth it’s vital to prune and let in new light. Though there’s sadness in stepping away, there’s far more pride and joy in what we’ve created together.
To our partners and IAG: thank you for your unwavering belief and brave collaboration. You’ve trusted us, driven us and inspired us, and I can’t thank you all enough.
To the team: I don’t have adequate words for the gratitude I feel. You’ve shown what’s possible when a small but mighty group of people thinks big and acts boldly, with courage and compassion. You’ve been the heart and engine of this work, and none of it would have happened without you.
And to Prince Harry: thank you for your vision, belief, and encouragement. From the start you challenged us to reimagine what travel could be, restoring a sense of purpose when our industry needed it most. I will always be grateful for your support, including as my confidant and guide during this personal decision to step back.
I’m proud of what we’ve built together. And while I’ll be stepping down as CEO, I remain as committed as ever to Travalyst’s mission and will continue to support the transition and the months ahead with care and energy.
Onwards and upwards.