Laura McBride, Group Indirects Category Manager, Sthree

I have had a foot in the travel industry in one form or another for over 20 years, with experience in sourcing, implementing and managing Global Travel Programmes, as well as experience early in my career on the vendor side, with both leisure and corporate agents.

In my current role I’m implementing a Global Travel & Expense Programme across 13 countries for SThree, A recruitment company specialising in the STEM industry. Due to the success of SThree in recent years, they are undergoing a huge transformation with all IT infrastructure being replaced and upgraded. This includes their Travel Programme, moving away from in house travel booking/admin teams and legacy expense solutions, to a Global TMC, Expense Management and Corporate Card Programme.

Prior to SThree, I was responsible for managing the Global Travel Programme including M&E for Smith and Nephew, a medical technology and device company. Throughout my 5-year tenure at Smith & Nephew, I expanded the programme to cover all 38 countries that S&N operated, developed and communicated revised T&E policies, and managed all travel sourcing activity.