Transport and Travel

Sector Overview

Success in the transport and travel sector calls for the ability to make and implement long-term strategic decisions while adapting to a continuously changing business environment and the latest Government policies.

Subject to ever-increasing competition (in part, a consequence of deregulation), escalating fuel costs and fluctuating exchange rates, organisations across the sector are looking to improved operational efficiency to deliver profits – and to help meet national environmental and sustainability targets.

As the competition between road and rail freight carriers continues, transport and logistics companies are making significant efforts to improve their supply chains. Parcel carriers and postal operators continue to face strong competition from overseas providers in a market that is perhaps already over-resourced.

Dramatic increases in the cost of private motoring, together with increasing traffic congestion, have led to a significant rise in the number of passengers now regularly using Rail services, though punctuality, reliability, safety – and the cost of maintaining and developing the rail infrastructure and rolling stock – remain key issues for the public and rail operators, respectively.

Having dramatically re-shaped pricing structures, many low-cost airlines having to contend with increased security burdens and rising fuel costs, while operating on the slimmest of margins, are struggling to remain profitable. In this area a significant shake-out of weaker operators has already begun, and will inevitably lead to further consolidation.

Travel service companies – whether on the high street, or internet-based – are all now having to deal with a savvy consumer with ever-greater expectations, looking for new experiences and best value for money. Again, over-supply and the need for improved service delivery is leading to consolidation.

Against this highly challenging backdrop, organisations are looking increasingly to Albemarle Interim Executives to develop and implement realistic strategies to optimise the opportunities (and deal with the problems) arising from this highly dynamic trading environment.

Sector experience

One of the few interim management resources offering expertise in the Transport and Travel sector, Albemarle provides a practical and realistic alternative to business consultancy for organisations looking for strategy development and implementation from a single qualified executive.

We have an extensive network of interim professionals with proven track records and in-depth industry experience across road, rail and aviation. Their strategic strengths, leadership skills and practical, operational ability equip them to undertake professional roles ranging from project management through to board-level assignments.

Areas in which Albemarle interim professionals can typically contribute include:

  • Programme management – business, IT and technical
  • Procurement – health check and improvement strategy
  • Franchise bid management – from preparation to completion
  • Financial and management reporting – systems and MI improvement
  • Supply chain management
  • Marketing and business development
  • People and performance management
  • Health and safety, risk management
  • Planning – transport and business

Albemarle's Transport and Travel assignments

Typical interim management assignments we have placed recently, include:

  • Financial Directors – Train Operating Company/Airline
  • Financial Controllers – Train Operating Company
  • Procurement Directors – Rail Infrastructure/Airline
  • Programme Director – Train Operating Company
  • Programme Manager – Train Operating Company
  • Head of Contracts – Train Operating Company and Infrastructure
  • Head of Maintenance – Train Operating Company
  • Marketing Director – Train Operating Company
  • Head of Revenue Projection – Train Operating Company
  • Asset Management – Train Operating Company
  • Business Development – Airport

Albemarle interim professionals are also highly effective in a project management role – ideal where a project is short-term and there is no need for a permanent appointment. Recent and ongoing projects include:

  • Project Director – Train Operating Company
  • Project Manager – Train Operating Company
  • Heads of Projects – Train Operating Company/Airport/Infrastructure
  • Franchise Modelling
  • Contracts Management
  • Bid Management
  • Revenue Protection

Contact us

To find out more about Albemarle, and how our interim managers could help your organisation achieve its business objectives, please call Angela Hickmore on 020 7079 3737.

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