The Programme - Global Travel & Tourism Summit

ProfilesThe ProgrammeINDUSTRYCHRISTOPHER RODRIGUES CBEChairmanVisitBritainChristopher Rodrigues became Chairman of VisitBritain on 1 January 2007 andExecutive Chairman of International Personal Finance plc in July 2007. He had beenPresident and Chief Executive at Visa International from 2004-2006. Between 1996 and 2004 he was GroupChief Executive at Bradford and Bingley, leading the process towards its initial placement in 2000 and entryto the FTSE 100 list in 2002. Between 1988 and 1996 he was Chief Operating Officer and Group ChiefExecutive at Thomas Cook. Earlier in his career he was a Manager at McKinsey and Co, before spendingnine years with American Express.He was a founder non-Executive Director of the Financial Services Authority (1997-2003). He has been anindependent non-Executive Director at Ladbrokes plc (formerly Hilton Group plc) since 2003, is Chairmanof the Windsor Leadership Trust, is an Executive Committee Member of the World Travel & Tourism Counciland was a member of the Council and Executive Committee of the National Trust.Christopher is a graduate of Cambridge University and the Harvard Business School. He rowed forCambridge in the 1970 and 1971 Boat Race, is a past-Chairman of Leander Club and is a Steward of HenleyRoyal Regatta.Christopher became a Commander of the British Empire in the 2007 New Year Honours list for services toBritish business interests and charitable works in the UK and USA.SONU SHIVDASANIFounder, Chairman & CEOSix Senses Resorts & SpasA descendant of Indian Parents, Sonu was born and studied largely in England, withsome periods of his education being in Nigeria and Switzerland. He is an alumni ofEton College and a Graduate of Oxford University where he received an MA in English Literature.During his time at Oxford, Sonu met his Swedish-born wife, Eva. They fell in love with the Maldivesand leased an island there in 1990. After considerable effort and some good luck – aided of course by hisUniversity Degree, their first resort, Soneva Fushi opened in 1995. As the pioneer luxury and environmentfriendly resort in the country, Soneva Fushi redefined tourism in the Maldives and soon became known asthe premier beach destination.In 2000 Soneva Fushi was awarded Best of the Best by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller UK, an indication ofthe numerous travel and environmental awards with which the company would receive in the future.Soneva Fushi also opened the first spa in the Maldives and one of the first in Asia; thus Six Senses Spas wasborn.The signing of agreements to manage resorts and spas of third parties lead to what is now the Six Senses group;a company whose Core Purpose is: To create innovative and enriching experiences in a sustainable environment.With this goal in mind the Six Senses portfolio currently boasts 26 resorts that are either open or underdevelopment, and 41 spas that are in Six Senses’ own properties or hosted by third-party managed properties.Six Senses also operates retail outlets at most of its resorts under the brand – Six Senses Gallery.Whilst the evolution of Six Senses keeps Sonu quite busy, he enjoys reading, art, architecture, wine, travelling,wellness and Six Senses Living in general.58