The Luxury Summit

Nick founded TravMedia in 1999 after 10 years as the travel editor of Courier Newspapers in Australia. His knowledge and contributions to the travel industry are extensive. Nick is a proud supporter of the SATW, an active member of the ASTW, and annually supports both the British Guild of Travel Writers Awards and the ASTW Awards. He created IMM 15 years ago, The Summit 10 years ago, and IMM LUX last year. TravMedia also powers the online event marketplaces for U.S. Travel Association’s IPW. Nick is thrilled to add podcast host to his titles with the launch of TravMedia’s Byline to Boarding Gate earlier this year.

As CEO of WGSN, the world’s leading trend forecasting company, Carla leads a global team of specialists delivering insights, data analysis and consultancy services that predict the future for the world’s most successful brands. She has expanded WGSN's offering into new industries and sectors, including hospitality, luxury and travel. In addition to advising business leaders, Carla appears regularly on TV and radio, delivers keynotes at events including SXSW, Cannes Lions and Web Summit, and hosts the podcast Lives of Tomorrow.

Paul is a British journalist and editor with nearly 30 years of experience covering style and travel. He has edited magazines on both sides of the Atlantic. Based in London, Paul is editor-in-chief of Elite Traveler, a leading luxury lifestyle publication for UHNWIs. Previously, he was global editor-in-chief of Robb Report in New York. Paul lives outside London with his wife, son and energetic puppy.

Edward oversees the strategic direction and leadership of the group and its global portfolio of luxury hospitality brands. Before joining LQA as chief financial officer, he spent 15 years at MHA, the UK member firm of Baker Tilly International, where he became one of four global leaders of the corporate finance team and led the EMEA division. His experience managing organisations operating in over 20 countries provides him with a comprehensive understanding of the financial, operational and strategic aspects of international business. This global perspective continues to guide his leadership of LQA and its expanding network of luxury hospitality brands.

Francesca trained for a career in law and worked in change management before an unexpected opportunity brought her to the world's leading private aviation group. She joined VistaJet as a proposals manager and was appointed head of proposals and contracts in 2013, a promotion that kick-started her rise through the company. She led the integration of JetEdge and XOJET after their acquisitions and conducted high-level negotiations with C-suite executives at some of the world's most successful businesses. Over 13 years, she has built a reputation for results, a customer-centric approach and collaboration. Today, she shapes Vista Global’s commercial direction and drives its performance on the world stage.

Kate leads marketing strategy for A&K in the UK, including the recent collaboration between A&K and Crystal that brought the two brands' itineraries together for the first time, blending immersive land experiences with exceptional cruising. She led Cox & Kings' Australian launch and global rebrand. Kate joined A&K after 13 years with Belmond, where she was divisional director of marketing for trains & cruises, shaping brand strategy for the luxury trains collection during its acquisition by LVMH, including the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and the group's French river cruises. Kate has worked with some of the most iconic names in luxury travel, developing a deep understanding of what drives desire in high-end travel.

Jenni is a strategic communications leader with over 20 years of experience shaping the reputations of global luxury travel, hospitality and lifestyle brands. Leading the PR & Brand Communications team at luxury hotel representation agency Mason Rose, she brings deep industry expertise, a global network of media and industry contacts, and a passion for creating culturally relevant stories and thoughtful connections.

A digital native, Abigail oversees digital and newsletter strategy. With nearly 10 years of experience in SEO and audience development, she has adapted her approach as audience needs have evolved. She is passionate about building a quality audience through strategy, ensuring users return to the brand. In her newsletter strategy, she has developed CNT’s templates and established a consistent tone of voice that puts personalities front and centre. Prior to joining CNT, Abigail worked at the Evening Standard. She holds a degree in broadcast journalism.

Kerry is an award-winning journalist, editor and content strategist with more than 25 years’ experience across travel, luxury and publishing. Formerly editor-in-chief of British Airways High Life, she is also travel editor-at-large at Country & Town House. Kerry is editorial consultant to the AI visibility consultancy Make Lemonade and was editorial consultant on Invisible or Influential? Volume Two, research examining how AI platforms are changing the influence and discoverability of leading travel and luxury publications. She has spoken at international industry events, including The New York Times Luxury Conference.

With over 15 years’ experience in luxury travel PR, Tilly works with some of the world's top hotels. A qualified AI professional, she leads Mason Rose’s AI strategy, advising hoteliers and luxury travel brands on adapting their communications and marketing for an AI-first world. She focuses on how AI is transforming travel discovery, search and brand storytelling, and what this means for how consumers find, trust and choose where to travel next. She is particularly interested in the commercial opportunities AI presents and guides clients on how to navigate this Fourth Industrial Revolution and remain visible, relevant and influential as AI reshapes the consumer journey.

Nick founded TravMedia in 1999 after 10 years as the travel editor of Courier Newspapers in Australia. His knowledge and contributions to the travel industry are extensive. Nick is a proud supporter of the SATW, an active member of the ASTW, and annually supports both the British Guild of Travel Writers Awards and the ASTW Awards. He created IMM 15 years ago, The Summit 10 years ago, and IMM LUX last year. TravMedia also powers the online event marketplaces for U.S. Travel Association’s IPW. Nick is thrilled to add podcast host to his titles with the launch of TravMedia’s Byline to Boarding Gate earlier this year.

Claire leads the award-winning travel team at The Times and The Sunday Times. She has been a broadsheet travel editor for more than 10 years, during which she has won awards for inspiring and advising audiences via cross-platform, digital-first quality journalism and guiding them through the pandemic and beyond. Claire frequently appears on TV and radio, including Good Morning Britain, Sky News Breakfast, BBC, ITV, Times Radio and LBC, and at events. Previously, she was editor-in-chief of mainstream women’s lifestyle brands, including She, Company, Elle Girl and Sugar, and editor-at-large of Grazia. She lives with her husband, teenagers and an ever-growing cast of four-legged friends on a smallholding in Hertfordshire.

Country & Town House is the world's first B Corp glossy. Lucy believes in the power of words, beauty and storytelling to help us navigate these current times. Keeping to the magazine's mantra of 'a life in balance', she tries to carefully balance the urgent need to stop over-consuming by highlighting the products, people and places that are doing things brilliantly, while infusing the pages with joy, fun and inspiration too. Lucy wants C&TH to be a place from which readers come away feeling better and feeling thoughtful – and ready for action.

Paul is a British journalist and editor with nearly 30 years of experience covering style and travel. He has edited magazines on both sides of the Atlantic. Based in London, Paul is editor-in-chief of Elite Traveler, a leading luxury lifestyle publication for UHNWIs. Previously, he was global editor-in-chief of Robb Report in New York. Paul lives outside London with his wife, son and energetic puppy.

Sarah leads the strategy and editorial direction of Condé Nast Traveller’s digital content. With 15 years’ experience in digital publishing, she has worked across some of the UK’s leading lifestyle and consumer titles, including GoodtoKnow and Hitched. Since joining CNT in 2021, Sarah has overseen everything from travel trends and destination guides to reported features, always with a focus on smart, engaging storytelling. She regularly appears on panels and podcasts and contributes commentary to outlets including Sky News, The Independent, BBC and Stylist, talking about trends and the changing digital landscape.

BOAT International is the world’s leading media, events and market intelligence company serving the superyacht industry. Stewart oversees the company’s strategic direction, commercial development and continued growth across its print, digital and events portfolio. Working closely with clients, partners and industry leaders around the world, he is focused on strengthening BOAT International’s position at the heart of the global superyacht community and developing new opportunities for its audiences and commercial partners.

Luxury Marketing House (LMH) is an award-winning, full-service luxury marketing agency connecting premium brands with high-net-worth audiences. Jemma founded LMH in London over 10 years ago and has built a portfolio spanning yachting and aviation, luxury property and wellness. She has worked with brands including Oceanco, Jumeirah, Dorchester Collection and Six Senses. With over two decades of experience in luxury marketing, Jemma is a passionate industry specialist, thought leader and broadcast professional with a deep understanding of the luxury sector. Jemma and the LMH team lead PR and Marketing for Ulyssia Residences, the 323-metre residential superyacht redefining ultra-luxury life at sea, and its wellness partner Chenot, which operates Ulyssia's onboard spa and longevity programmes.

Rita curates bespoke superyacht charters and itineraries worldwide, bringing precision, care and discretion to every stage. She has a strong instinct for matching the right yacht to the right client, ensuring each charter is tailored to their exact preferences. With 12 years of experience and over 250 charters completed, Rita has a unique perspective on how affluent travellers are changing their sea experiences. A yacht charter can be more than a holiday; it can be an expedition, a private retreat or a new way of seeing the world. Before joining Fraser, Rita was head of charter at Princess Motor Yacht Sales. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law and an Executive MBA.

Tom leads the development of itineraries and destination experiences across Scenic’s Discovery Yachts and Emerald Cruises’ luxury yacht fleet. He has a deep understanding of how luxury guests want to travel, what they expect from their time on board, and how they want to be looked after. From remote expedition destinations to the Mediterranean’s most iconic ports, Tom focuses on ensuring that the luxury, discovery and personalisation experienced on board continue seamlessly ashore. He creates distinctive journeys, combining renowned destinations with lesser-known places, meaningful access and deeper engagement. His career spans shipboard operations, port leadership and senior cruise roles, giving him a broad perspective on how luxury travel at sea continues to evolve.