
Look Who's Talking!
On Friday 5th February a combination of engaging and influential industry speakers will share their knowledge and expertise during thought-provoking panel sessions and Q&As.
Conference Speakers & Panellists
Jono Vernon-Powell - ATN Conference Moderator
Further to setting up the award-winning travel company Nomadic Thoughts (Worldwide Travel) in 1987, Jono is a leading travel industry blogger, speaker, travel photographer and experienced conference moderator. At AITO (The Specialist Travel Association) he is a council member focusing on industry issues, Chair of the Climate Crisis Think Thank and a founding member of their Sustainable Tourism Programme.
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Milena Nikolova - Founder, Behaviour-Smart
Milena is an expert and researcher in behavioural economics in tourism with a global professional network and experience gained across four continents. She has worked on projects covering various aspects of sustainable tourism development, business and market development, policy and planning, learning and education, as well as entrepreneurship and innovation.
Ashley Toft - CEO, KE Adventure Travel and Mickledore Travel
Ashley joined KE as CEO in April 2018 having worked in travel for over 3 decades, working his way up from tour leader to CEO/MD. With a focus on active adventures, KE operates in 100 countries, including some of the world’s most remote and wild places. In Dec 2018 the company acquired Mickledore Travel. Like KE, Mickledore is based in Keswick in the Lake District, and specialises in self-guided walks in the UK, using the very best B&Bs and Inns along the way.
Zina Bencheikh - MD, Intrepid Group
Born in Marrakech and educated in France and the UK, Zina Bencheikh started her career in finance before joining Intrepid as Finance Manager in Morocco in 2010. Shpe has progressed rapidly through a number of financial and operational leadership roles with the company, and last year was appointed EMEA Managing Director of Intrepid Travel. She is now responsible for achieving Intrepid’s dual goals of growth and balancing purpose and profit in the EMEA region.



Roy Barker - Co-Founder and Director
Roy is a director of SPIKE - a consultancy that uses data and technology to help travel businesses increase revenues by improving their customer experience. Previously Director of Decision Science at Carlson Marketing Group, Roy has a wealth of experience in data analysis and market research.
Paul Charles - The PC Agency, Founder & CEO
Paul has been at the forefront of the coronavirus crisis, appearing as a leading commentator and adviser about the travel and tourism sector, which has been deeply affected by the pandemic. Before founding The PC Agency, Paul was Director of Communications for Virgin Atlantic and Eurostar, and prior to that, almost a decade reporting, producing and presenting at the BBC.
Julie Jones - ABTOT, Development Director
Julie's career in travel has taken her from working as an independent travel agent to ticketing and operations for Jetset to senior Sales and Commercial roles followed at Royal Brunei Airlines and British Midland International (BMI) then ABTA for 6 years managing the Member Services team. She Joined ABTOT 18 months ago as Development Director with the remit of developing the product, brand and increasing Membership.




Lloyd Figgins - Travel Risk & Incident Prevention (TRIP) Group, CEO
Lloyd Figgins is a travel risk expert, author and international security advisor. He has worked in over 80 countries, including some of the world’s more hostile and remote regions. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Lloyd is an internationally respected authority on the subject of travel risk and crisis management and often provides commentary on mainstream media.
Alex Narracott - Much Better Adventures, Founder & CEO
Much Better Adventures was founded in 2012 and offers unique adventures and experiences, delivered by expert local hosts and guides around the world. Alex is the founding partner in Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency, a community formed in January 2020 to inspire and enable travel organisations to declare a climate emergency and come together to find solutions.
Daniel Turner - Animondial, Founder
Daniel Turner is an environmental biologist who has been working for the advancement of applied animal welfare for over 20 years. He created ABTA’s Animal Welfare Guidelines (2013). In 2018, Daniel co-founded ANIMONDIAL, a specialist consultancy that provides impartial advice and practical guidance to travel businesses to help better manage impact on animals and the natural environment.
Prue Stone - Explore!, Head of Sustainability
Prue has been in the travel industry for fifteen years and joined Explore after completing a Masters degree in 2009. With 12 years experience of driving change in the travel and tourism industry her role as Head of Sustainability is very broad, encompassing each team, and implementing a functional sustainability strategy within the business. Outside of work she enjoys trail biking, walking and traveling with her her young family.










