Chris Ashton

Chris Ashton

Audit Consultant

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Strategic Partnerships, Travel Tech

  • Education

    • ESSEC - ESSEC Business School

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    • University of Vienna

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      B.A. International Business/Trade/Commerce
  • Experience

    • KPMG Audit

      Sept 1999 - Sept 2001
      Audit Consultant

      Analysis and verification of financial statements of French and foreign listed companies (French, US, UK, and German GAAP), assignments in France and abroadEditing of audit reports in French, English, and German, translationsManagement, production and information-flow analysis («walk-through»)Organisation and performing of stocktaking/inventory assignments

    • Montreal, Canada - 4* & 5* properties

      Jun 2004 - Aug 2005
      Sales & Front Office Management
    • Prudential Financial

      Sept 2005 - Aug 2006
      International Relocation Manager

      International mobility outsourcing solutions, relocation project management of international operationsOwnership and operative project responsibility for three major global accounts, including HR customer relationship management, HR reporting & meeting coordination, and 3rd party supplier management

    • GTA by Travelport

      Aug 2006 - Apr 2008
      Contracts manager

      Securing of best possible contracts with hotels suppliers for wholesale and online distribution marketsCultivating strong network of contacts to support relationships with key supplier decision makersSupporting sales offices, reservations departments, sales support, and accounts payable for enhanced efficiency and impactIdentifying, communicating and sourcing hot deals, best buys, FIT recommended hotels, group sales policies, and other commercially essential deals

    • Lastminute.com - Travelocity, Sabre Holdings

      Apr 2008 - Jun 2012

      • Heading up the team responsible for the account management of hotels within the Greater London area• Ensuring profit, pricing, availability and sales mix targets are achieved for the region.• Brief purchasing team on new product requirements and commercial terms based on competitor analysis.• Collaborate closely with cross functional business teams, including brand leadership, distribution category and revenue management, commercial, product, marketing, merchandising and partner marketing to ensure tight coordination of plan creation & execution. • Develop relationships with key partners to maximise new business opportunities.• Training and developing a team of three account managers and two market coordinators.• Briefing enhancements and user acceptance testing of new technology platforms and various website releases.• Deputising for the area director. Show less • Heading up the team responsible for the account management of hotels within the Greater Paris region (Paris and Ile de France).• Ensuring profit, pricing, availability and sales mix targets are achieved for the region.• Brief purchasing team on new product requirements and commercial terms based on competitor analysis.• Develop relationships with key partners to maximise new business opportunities.• Training and developing a team of three account managers and two market coordinators.• Briefing enhancements and user acceptance testing of new technology platforms and various website releases.• Deputising for the area director. Show less Responsible for all elements of account management and developing excellent supplier relationships within the Hotel Partner Marketing organisation Successful in meeting targets on several key performance indicators in assigned markets, including revenue and margin growth, relative price advantage, inventory availability, driving opaque distribution models (dynamic packaging & top secret)Co-ordination of merchandising and promotion requests, including negotiations with hotels on rates and availability for hotel product on lastminute.com and Travelocity.comResponsible for market sales and margin analysis, global display referencing across all points of sale Show less

      • Regional Manager, Global Partner Services EMEA

        Nov 2011 - Jun 2012
      • Regional Manager Greater Paris Area

        Apr 2010 - Nov 2011
      • Market manager

        Apr 2008 - Mar 2010
    • Orbitz Worldwide

      Jun 2012 - May 2013
      Senior Market Manager

      • Directly responsible for a team of experienced market managers, making revenue, inventory, pricing, and merchandising decisions on behalf of the Orbitz Worldwide brands. Training, development, and coaching a team of five direct reports to perform and exceed in delivering against key performance metrics• Develop and sustain strong partner relationships by delivering superior consulting services and capturing marketing and sales opportunities through regular partner contact and delivering value added services • Coordinate with other OWW teams and functional areas to implement innovative projects and business initiatives aimed at building a strong market presence, merchandising, and attractive value propositions• Develop and drive sound recommendations/action plans based on insights from data analysis to optimise revenue, inventory, competitiveness & acquisition goals, provide senior leadership group ongoing input in developing scalable solutions to improve process efficiencies, evaluate market trends & competitor activity Show less

    • Expedia Group

      Jun 2013 - Feb 2021

      The core focus in this position is to drive revenue through team leadership and day to day management within French key markets by managing broader regional responsibilities and individually managing a small number of key accounts.Responsible for leading and coaching a team of Market Managers, Associate Market Managers, and Market Associates to deliver revenue and acquisition goals through management of inventory, rates and supplier relations and negotiation of best inventory and most strategically competitive rates in the assigned market. Accountable for strategy implementation, and planning within an independent market geography, driving implementation of internal business initiatives, and improving process efficiencies in addition to developing and sustaining strong hotel partner relationships within the assigned area. This includes negotiating favourable inventory rates and allocations at property level, and driving key activities that support Expedia’s revenue goals and strategic objectives. Show less

      • Area Manager

        Aug 2014 - Feb 2021
      • Senior Market Manager

        Jun 2013 - Jul 2014
    • ManoMano

      Feb 2021 - Dec 2021
      Head of Sellers' Partnerships
    • D-EDGE Hospitality Solutions

      Jan 2022 - now
      VP Account Management
    • PerfectStay

      Oct 2024 - now
      Director of Strategic Partnerships
  • Licenses & Certifications

  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Chris Ashton
      Peer recognition - Unsung Heroes lastminute.com EMEA Jun 2011 Award recognising a peer for special team working abilities
    • Awarded to Chris Ashton
      Employee of the Month, French Point of Sale lastminute.com Oct 2009 Recognition for employees going beyond their call of duty and positively impacting the business.
    • Awarded to Chris Ashton
      Best Thesis delivered to the chair of international management 2003/04 University of Vienna Jan 2005 Award and prize delivered by the chair of International Management of the University of Vienna for my thesis work in the area of service delivery excellence: "Implementing service quality strategies aiming at achieving competitive advantages in the global service market place"