Introducing a roster of visionary leaders and accomplished professionals shaping the future of industries critical to global connectivity and leisure. As thought leaders, policymakers, and advocates, they collectively contribute to the dialogue and decisions that will define the advancement of transportation systems, tourism experiences, and sustainable practices, shaping the way we explore the world and interact with it. Return to the main list here.
Holger Krahmer – Secretary General at European Business Aviation Association
Holger Krahmer is an economist with over 14 years of experience in asset management with German banks. He served as a Member of the European Parliament for a decade before transitioning to Public Affairs roles in the automotive industry. With expertise in government and industry relations, Holger has held leadership positions at Opel and Mercedes-Benz Group AG, where he spearheaded EU affairs. In 2024, he assumed the role of Secretary General at the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), leveraging his extensive background in finance, policymaking, and corporate representation to advance the interests of the business aviation sector in Europe.
Kevin Mayne – Chief Executive Officer at Cycling Industries Europe
Cycling Industries Europe is an international association dedicated to advancing cycling businesses and promoting cycling across Europe. With over 25 years of experience in leadership roles within cycling advocacy and governance, Kevin has collaborated with the cycling community in over 30 countries. He has held advisory positions for organizations like ECF and Cycling UK, and he currently serves as a Board member for the International Mountain Biking Association. Kevin’s commitment to promoting cycling was recognized with the Danish Cycling Embassy Leadership Award for Cycling Promotion in 2023. Outside of work, Kevin is an avid cyclist who enjoys exploring as a tourist, commuter, and mountain biker. Despite his recently announced retirement plan, Kevin is still one of the more active people documenting his activities in the industry. The search and selection process for his successor will also be worth following.
Agnès Leroux – EU Government Affairs Director at Boeing
With over 10 years of experience in EU public affairs and communication, Agnès has worked in various policy areas including transport (aviation and road), industrial policy, the European single market, digital policy, energy, and environment. Prior to her current role, she served as the Policy Director at Airlines for Europe (A4E), where she led the organization’s work on travel restrictions during the COVID-19 crisis and managed aviation security, passenger data, border control, air cargo, and customs working groups. Agnès holds a visiting lecturer position at the Institut d’études politiques de Rennes, where she contributes to the “EU policy-making” course for Master 2 students by providing insights into EU institutions, policy-making processes, public affairs, and communications. She has also held positions at the British Chamber of Commerce | EU & Belgium and Acumen Public Affairs, where she contributed to strategic EU government affairs campaigns, managed client relationships, and developed communication strategies in various policy areas including transport, digital economy, innovation, standardization, and trade.
Paul Walsh – Senior Manager, Member Services at European Business Aviation Association
With a background in association management, Paul is dedicated to connecting and sharing experiences with fellow professionals to address common challenges in the industry. He believes that associations play a vital role in solving 21st-century challenges and advocates for prioritizing professionalization within the sector. Paul’s commitment to collaboration and improvement drives him to make significant strides forward in the field of association management. His professional journey has been shaped by diverse experiences, including serving as a Managing Editor at BART International, where he coordinated the publication of Europe’s leading Business Aviation trade magazine and website, and as a Journalist and Editorial Assistant at Europe’s World, where he wrote articles on EU policy and sub-edited contributions for publication.
Jon Worth – Founder at Trains for Europe
Jon is the Founder of Trains for Europe, a campaign focused on addressing the absence of night trains in Europe and proposing solutions to improve cross-border railway policies. Despite not having a traditional railway background, Jon’s extensive experience in European Union political communication has fueled his passion for making railways more efficient and sustainable. He embarked on the #CrossBorderRail project in 2022, crossing every internal border of the European Union by train in one summer to highlight the challenges and opportunities for rail travel in Europe. Jon’s commitment to sustainable mobility and climate action drives his advocacy for better railway policies and practices that prioritize passengers’ needs.
Kevin Hiney – Communications Director at Airlines for Europe (A4E)
Kevin leads internal and external communications, media relations, and policy-focused campaigns defending the interests of Europe’s leading airlines. With nearly a decade of EU policy and communications experience, Kevin has worked as an Account Director at Red Flag Consulting, managing regulatory, public affairs, and strategic communications campaigns for global multinational clients. He also held roles at Airbus as a policy analyst and at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs. Kevin holds a master’s degree in European politics & policy from the London School of Economics (LSE) and is fluent in English and French.
William Todts – Executive Director at Transport & Environment
Since taking on the role of Executive Director in 2017, William has overseen significant growth within the organization, with the team expanding from 28 to 68 staff and the establishment of offices in six European capitals. Beyond his professional endeavors, William is a passionate cyclist, a father, and enjoys reading, particularly about classical antiquity. He is fluent in Dutch, English, French, and German. Prior to his tenure at T&E, William worked for a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and served as an assistant to the Environment attachés of the Belgian Permanent Representation to the EU during the Belgian presidency of the European Union. The EU’s TOP 1 green transport voice according to Politico.
Peter Lochbihler – Global Head of Public Affairs at Booking.com
A seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in public affairs and government relations. Currently serving as the Global Head of Public Affairs at Booking.com, he leads a global team focused on legislative relations and acts as a spokesperson. Prior to this role, Peter held key positions at Rolls-Royce, where he served as Vice President – EU Affairs, representing the company towards EU institutions. With a Master of Arts in European Political and Administrative Studies from the College of Europe, Bruges, Peter is fluent in German, English, and French, and is recognized for his expertise in government relations, digital transformation, and the travel industry.
Ralf Pastleitner – Director International Public Policy at TUI Group
A seasoned expert in government affairs, public policy, and sustainability with over 15 years of experience. At TUI Group, Ralf leads a multinational team focused on transforming, engaging, and inspiring others in the travel and tourism industry. His extensive experience spans across large corporations, public administration, politics, and business associations. He holds key roles in various organizations and initiatives, including chairing expert subgroups on the green transition in tourism for the European Commission’s Together for Tourism initiative. Ralf’s expertise lies in sustainability, governmental affairs, tourism, leadership, and project management, among other areas.
Nicholas Hall – Founder of Digital Tourism Think Tank
Founder and CEO of the Digital Tourism Think Tank (DTTT), a pioneering organization specializing in digital transformation, sustainable development, and industry trend analysis within the tourism sector. Nicholas is recognized globally as a leading expert on digital trends and transformation in tourism. He has advised numerous Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) and continues to drive conversations around industry trends. Nicholas is also a respected keynote speaker at industry conferences, sharing insights on the latest trends impacting the tourism sector.
