CWT appoints Michael Ryan as Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand

Carlson Wagonlit Travel, the global travel management company, has appointed Michael Ryan as Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand. Ryan will lead a team of nearly 280 people across six locations in Australia and New Zealand, and will be responsible for client satisfaction, client retention and new business.

“Michael’s customer focus and his keen understanding of the Australian and New Zealand markets will help us deliver on our digital CWT 3.0 strategy, which will give business travelers the kind of experience they expect from their leisure travel,” said Kai Chan, CWT’s President for Asia Pacific. “While compliance and savings remain key, more and more companies here are beginning to focus on their travelers’ overall experience – with the ultimate aim of boosting productivity.”

Michael will be based in Sydney and will join CWT’s Asia Pacific leadership team, reporting to Kai Chan.

Michael has more than 20 years of business development and management experience across a range of industries, including financial services, telecommunications and sporting goods.

He joins CWT from American Express’ Merchant Services division, where he was Vice President, Merchant & Loyalty Solutions, responsible for leading and growing the corporate and enterprise payments business in Australia and New Zealand. Prior to that, he held various roles at American Express, Optus, Adidas and Coca Cola Amatil.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from Macquarie University. He enjoys traveling and experiencing new cultures, and is a health and fitness buff who loves cycling.