Stuart Wright

Commercially driven, high-impact Senior Commercial Leader with extensive experience driving revenue growth, managing multi-million-pound travel portfolios, and securing complex partner agreements across global markets. Proven track record of winning high-value business, developing multi-year strategic relationships, and negotiating profitable international deals across the corporate, travel trade, and luxury sectors—including direct management of supplier capacity and charter flight commitments. Combines deep travel industry expertise (TUI, Sovereign Holidays/First Choice, Travel Republic, lastminute.com) with rigorous operational and program delivery acumen.

Accustomed to extensive international travel and representing brands at C-suite level across EMEA and global markets.

Principal Commercial & Programme Lead at lastminute.com (2010-06 – Present)

Led large-scale, cross-functional commercial, technology, and conversion initiatives across EMEA, APAC, and North American markets for a premier Level 1 e-Commerce travel merchant.

• Managed multi-million-pound capital and operational budgets with full P&L accountability, consistently delivering major global initiatives on or under budget (including a flagship program completed $1.42M under target).
• Influenced and negotiated directly with C-suite stakeholders, international partners, and third-party auditors across multiple international jurisdictions.
• Directed high-performing, multi-location international teams (up to 11 direct PMs), ensuring alignment between commercial growth goals and operational execution.
• Spearheaded commercial strategy and turnaround for an online travel marketplace, successfully driving the business from a -£650K loss to +£171K profit within 12 months.
• Scaled turnover from £18M to £35M in two years by opening new distribution channels, diversifying product lines, and negotiating high-yield supplier partnerships.
• Oversaw board-level commercial planning, target setting, and international market expansion.
• Negotiated a strategic Pan-European travel portal partnership with a €1.3B European travel organization, expanding international market presence.
• Designed and launched a global online travel booking platform in three months; grew direct revenue channels from 6% to 26% of total business volume.

Commercial & Strategy Director (Advisory) at The Wright Consultancy / Kunapark Ltd (2006-01 – 2010-06)

• Spearheaded commercial strategy and turnaround for an online travel marketplace, successfully driving the business from a -£650K loss to +£171K profit within 12 months.
• Scaled turnover from £18M to £35M in two years by opening new distribution channels, diversifying product lines, and negotiating high-yield supplier partnerships.
• Oversaw board-level commercial planning, target setting, and international market expansion.

Commercial Programme Manager (Contract) at The Wright Consultancy / OT&T Travel Ltd (2006-01 – 2006-10)

• Negotiated a strategic Pan-European travel portal partnership with a €1.3B European travel organization, expanding international market presence.
• Designed and launched a global online travel booking platform in three months; grew direct revenue channels from 6% to 26% of total business volume.

Commercial Director (Contract) at The Wright Consultancy / Travel Republic Ltd (2005-02 – 2005-12)

• Drove Total Transaction Value (TTV) growth from £21M to £54M in 12 months through rapid portfolio expansion and direct contract acquisition.
• Negotiated direct high-margin international agreements with major brand partners including Walt Disney World, Universal, and Busch.

Managing Director at Seligo Ltd (2003-11 – 2005-02)

Sales Director at Sovereign Holidays (First Choice Plc) (2000-11 – 2003-11)

Head of Sales at TUI (1998-07 – 2000-11)

Senior Manager at Blue Arrow Personnel Services (1994-07 – 1998-07)

BTEC National Diploma in Business, Finance, Travel & Tourism