GlobalStar Executive Team
Strategic Management Personnel
James Stevenson
CEO
James Stevenson is the Chief Executive Officer of GlobalStar Travel Management, joining in 2021. He is responsible for the strategic direction of GlobalStar and the day-to-day management of the business. James is passionate about travel, his team and exceeding customer expectation.
James has spent over 30 years in the corporate travel industry. During this time he was based for over 5 years in Asia, as HRG’s first GM for their Chinese joint venture in Shanghai and then their Executive Vice President for Asia in Singapore. James culminated his career with HRG as the Global Sales Director and part of the executive management team.
Following HRG’s acquisition by Amex GBT James went on to become the General Manager for the combined UK business.
Chris Weedon
Vice President Global Sales & Services
Chris Weedon is the Vice President of Global Sales and Services with GlobalStar Travel Management and joined the organisation in 2012. In this role, Chris takes responsibility for the strategic vision and development of global sales, training and mentoring across the GlobalStar partner network and product development.
Prior to joining GlobalStar, Chris held the position of Director EMEA, Global Sales and Services at RADIUS, where he was instrumental in the growth of the company. In this position, Chris led the end to end sales cycle for global corporations and provided direct sales and business travel consultancy. Chris has also worked as a Corporate Account Director within the travel industry and across several niche sectors within both HR and occupational psychology functions.
Outside of work Chris has a keen interest in rock climbing, running and photography. Chris is fluent in Spanish having spent a year living in Madrid and is currently looking for the next language to learn.
Mark van Iersel
Executive Director Marketing & Partner Recruitment
Mark van Iersel is the Executive Director of Marketing, Partner Recruitment and Partner Development with GlobalStar Travel Management. Mark manages both the internal and external marketing opportunities for GlobalStar. Additionally, Mark is responsible for the recruitment of the right partner companies for the network and the further development of the partners in general with the help of the Regional Partner Development Managers.
Mark holds a degree in International Marketing Management from the University of The Hague and has been working in the travel industry for over 20 years. Before joining GlobalStar Travel Management in 2006, Mark worked 6 years for ATPI where he was responsible for Marketing and International Business Development.
In 2006 Mark joined GlobalStar as Regional Manager for the EMEA region resulting in significant experience working with GlobalStar and its partners. In this period Mark realised growth in the network by recruiting and training new partner companies throughout the EMEA region.
Julian Russell
Executive Director Information Technology and Supplier Relations
Julian Russell is the Executive Director of Information Technology and Supplier Relations with GlobalStar Travel Management and joined the organisation in 2021. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of IT and Supplier Relations as well as the long-term technology strategy.
Julian has worked exclusively in Corporate Travel for 22 years. Most recently at British Airways he managed the direct API NDC connectivity for Corporate Partners, joining the airline at a critical time in their NDC journey. Prior to this, Julian was the Director of Customer Technology Solutions at HRG and then Amex GBT for 20 years, where he managed a global team responsible for the retention and growth of business through technology solutions.
Julian is passionate about the role technology plays in supporting a successful travel programme and is excited to introduce new technology solutions to our Partners to help drive business growth and retention and reflect the dynamic changes in the content distribution model.