The Programme - Global Travel & Tourism Summit

ProfilesThe ProgrammeINDUSTRYNick FryChief Executive OfficerHonda Racing F1 TeamNick Fry joined the Ford Motor Company in 1978 after gaining a degree in Economicsfrom the University of Wales. Over the next 11 years he held a variety of positionswithin Ford and was appointed Director of Operations for Aston Martin after Ford acquired more than 50%of Aston Martin Lagonda Limited in 1992.Fry was Brand Manager for Large Cars at Ford Europe for two years, with responsibility for developing theMondeo brand and he helped develop the popular ‘ST’ sport models. In his final two years with Ford, Frywas Product Planning and Business Director for Europe, based in Cologne, Germany.In January 2001, Fry became Prodrive Automotive Technology Managing Director, responsible for leadingProdrive’s expansion into outsourced engineering services. Within four months of his appointment, majorsteps had been taken to expand the company nationally and internationally with the acquisition of theTickford Group. During his time there, he became Group Managing Director overseeing the company’sengineering and racing operations.Fry joined the British American Racing (BAR) Formula One team at the start of 2002, under themanagement agreement with Prodrive, and in 2003 was appointed Managing Director. Following HondaMotor Company’s acquisition of BAR at the end of 2005, Fry became Chief Executive Officer for the newlyre-named Honda Racing F1 Team.Ed GilliganVice ChairmanAmerican Express CompanyEdward P Gilligan is vice chairman of American Express Company, a position heassumed in June 2007. He is responsible for the company’s global business-to-businessgroup, which includes: the merchant services business, the network services business, the commercial card andservices business, and business travel.He is a member of the Operating Committee, which is responsible for developing the strategic direction forAmerican Express and determining policies affecting the company overall.Ed joined American Express in 1980 as a temporary employee while studying for his BS in Economics andManagement at New York University. He began his full time service with the company in 1982.He was named a vice president of Business Travel in March 1988. He went on to become a senior vicepresident of Commercial Card and Business Travel for the Eastern Region of the United States in June 1992.He assumed the role of business unit president for Commercial Card and Business Travel for the UnitedStates in June 1995. In June 2002, Ed was named one of two group presidents at the company, overseeingthe international consumer card business and the global portfolio of payment and travel services offered tocorporate clients worldwide.Ed lives in London with his wife Lisa and four children.48