Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Awards
Other Experience and Qualifications
Timeline
Generic
Neil Tolefree

Neil Tolefree

Woking,United Kingdom

Summary

A seasoned professional with over 25 years experience of working within leading brand organisations in both the airline and financial services sectors. Has demonstrated extensive experience in sales processes, risk management and relationship management. Delivered ongoing sales target success. Is able to consistently adapt to business requirements whilst maintaining a strong emphasis on high standards of delivery and compliance. Key areas of expertise and experience include - Sales and Negotiation. - Relationship Management - Matrix Management - Evaluation and Decision Making - Financial Analysis and Planning - Team Leadership - Presentation to a variety of audiences - Risk Management - Contract Management - Market and Team Diversity - P&L Responsibility

Takes on challenging new role harnessing interpersonal skills, collaboration and problem-solving. Driven to deliver high-quality service and consistent results.

Resourceful employee with outstanding knowledge to develop and maintain healthy customer pipeline. Consistently works to attract new business opportunities. Talent in administrative oversight, recruitment processes and customer service improvements.

Experienced [Job Title] with over [Number] years in [Type] industry. Excellent reputation for resolving problems and improving customer satisfaction. Offers flexible schedule to deliver on team goals.

Reliable [Job Title] with [Type] industry experience. Offers excellent communication and good judgment to effectively meet team needs. Proactive planner and problem solver.

Overview

37
37
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Head of Network Development EMEA Airport Dimensions

Collinson Group Ltd
01.2018 - 08.2025
  • Reporting to the Commercial Director with responsibility for delivery of new lounge and experience locations for Airport Dimensions across the EMEA territory through new or existing partnerships.
  • Key responsibilities include:
  • Sourcing and evaluating new lounge locations including identification and recommendation of optimal partnership or proprietary business structure to progress the opportunity.
  • Leading the commercial evaluation process for each opportunity or supporting partner led opportunities as applicable
  • Responding to published client tender requests including
  • O Collation and submission of mandatory and qualifying documentation
  • O Construction of commercial business case for stakeholder approval including required profitability and investment criteria
  • O The creation of compelling tender response thereby putting Airport Dimensions in the best position to win.
  • O Construction of commercial business case for submission and subsequent negotiation of terms with the respective airport.
  • O Assisting in the implementation of successful bids where appropriate
  • Maintaining and growing an active pipeline of business opportunities and associated client network.
  • Providing strong cross functional leadership to drive sales pipeline and delivery including commercial, legal and key internal and external partner relationships.
  • Providing ongoing support to the Commercial Director
  • Presenting Airport Dimensions at public events and conferences including speaking engagements
  • Delivered key contract wins
  • O London Luton Airport – 9-year agreement with forecast billings of £50M over 9 years
  • O Dubai International – 5-year new Gaming concept with forecast billings of $3.8M

Business Development Manager Travel

Collinson Group
01.2016 - 01.2017
  • As part of a newly formed Global Business Development function – I had responsibility for the creation and execution of sales pipeline for Group products across the Travel sector.
  • Achieved strongly against sales target in FY16/17 with £360k of in year billed revenue vs target of £500k with pipeline of £5m in FY17/18.
  • Won and executed new agreements with Norwegian Airlines for FFP member Lounge programmes and E store (online points earn) totaling £300k, Sun Express Loyalty consultancy contract at £60k, Eurostar Redemption store programme - £300k.
  • Total of 7 others client agreements in late stages of proposal/negotiation totaling £5m in billed revenue

Business Development Leader GNS– EMEA

American Express Europe Ltd
01.2013 - 01.2015
  • Reporting to the VP Business Development Africa with responsibility for Card issuing and acquiring Partner relationships in South Africa, Mauritius and acquiring only relationships in certain sub-Saharan African markets. - Total billed volume in excess $3bn per annum. Key achievements include:
  • Led American Express marketing teams and commercial issuing teams driving South Africa annual sales plan and strategy achieving 12% YOY in 2014 in the face of market recession and low growth (+2% GDP).
  • Developed and presented 5 year plan to achieve sector share for the South Africa Market from both an issuing and merchant acquiring perspective for subsequent negotiation with Nedbank.
  • Renegotiated and implemented new 5 year card issuing and acquiring agreement for Mauritius with MCB including construct to grow local Issued cards by over 25% over 5 years and BB revenues by 30%
  • Managed end to end P&L responsibility so as to achieve target revenue and contribution margin.
  • Led overall client management function up to Executive Board level.

Director Card Acceptance GNS Airlines EMEA

American Express Europe Ltd
01.2006 - 01.2013
  • Fully responsible for 60+ airlines acquiring relationships based in non-Proprietary markets in EMEA.
  • Negotiated Card Acceptance Agreements with customer airlines – thus maintaining welcome acceptance of the American Express Card for Cardmembers and by doing so ensured Billed Business growth of 15% over 5 years to $2.2bn.
  • Drove and coordinated risk mitigation strategy and engagement between American Express business units and customer airlines, and by doing so fully protected American Express from a potential $100m financial loss over a 5-year period resulting from airline financial bankruptcies.
  • Identified and drove connectivity solution projects with airlines and various 3rd party vendors so as to achieve American Express Card acceptance with non-participating airlines. Achieved $30m Billed business upside.

Head of Sales UK

bmi (formerly British Midland Airways)
01.2005 - 01.2006
  • Directly responsible for entire UK indirect sales including Corporate, Trade (corporate and leisure), and specialist markets including General Sales Agents. Key achievements include
  • Drove total channel revenue budget in excess of £220m achieving revenue growth of 12% during 2005/6.
  • Renegotiated key agreements with Carlson Wagon Lits Travel, UK Government and BSkyB totally in excess of $75m.
  • Led overall Sales team of 27 heads including 6 direct reports with responsibility for hiring of new talent.
  • Represented the company on key Star Alliance Sales advisory boards performing a pivotal role in driving sales strategy for unified Star Alliance Commercial Agreements with Corporates and Travel Management Companies

Divisional Manager – Corporate Sales

bmi (formerly British Midland Airways)
01.2002 - 01.2005
  • Led team of 7 Corporate Account Managers across European territories responsible of new corporate revenue generation and retention achieving 18% growth over 3-year period to over £65m.

National Account Manager

bmi (formerly British Midland Airways)
01.1998 - 01.2002

National Account Manager

Avis Car Rental
01.1997 - 01.1998

Account Manager – Business Sales

British Airways PLC
01.1994 - 01.1997

Account Manager Business Sales

British Airways PLC
01.1992 - 01.1994

Account Executive - Specialist Sales

British Airways PLC
01.1990 - 01.1992

Reservations Agent

British Airways PLC
01.1989 - 01.1990

Education

B Tech Higher National Diploma - Business Studies, Travel and Tourism

Ealing College of Higher Education
London, W5
01.1986 - 01.1989

GCE 'A' Levels - Maths, English

Burlington Danes School
London, W12
01.1979 - 01.1986

Awards

President’s Award for Achievement 2007 at American Express for performance gains within the airline sector., Awarded ‘Business Sales Person of the Year’ for 1995/6 within British Airways UK and Ireland sales., Keen runner having completed 3 Half Marathons including raising £750 for Collinson Group’s nominated charity

Other Experience and Qualifications

  • Conversant in PC based skills such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint software packages and various commercial based support tools including Salesforce.
  • Experienced and enjoys presenting to audiences of varying size and quality.
  • Experienced Sales Trainer including field coaching, negotiation skills, presentation skills and structured call courses.

Timeline

Head of Network Development EMEA Airport Dimensions

Collinson Group Ltd
01.2018 - 08.2025

Business Development Manager Travel

Collinson Group
01.2016 - 01.2017

Business Development Leader GNS– EMEA

American Express Europe Ltd
01.2013 - 01.2015

Director Card Acceptance GNS Airlines EMEA

American Express Europe Ltd
01.2006 - 01.2013

Head of Sales UK

bmi (formerly British Midland Airways)
01.2005 - 01.2006

Divisional Manager – Corporate Sales

bmi (formerly British Midland Airways)
01.2002 - 01.2005

National Account Manager

bmi (formerly British Midland Airways)
01.1998 - 01.2002

National Account Manager

Avis Car Rental
01.1997 - 01.1998

Account Manager – Business Sales

British Airways PLC
01.1994 - 01.1997

Account Manager Business Sales

British Airways PLC
01.1992 - 01.1994

Account Executive - Specialist Sales

British Airways PLC
01.1990 - 01.1992

Reservations Agent

British Airways PLC
01.1989 - 01.1990

B Tech Higher National Diploma - Business Studies, Travel and Tourism

Ealing College of Higher Education
01.1986 - 01.1989

GCE 'A' Levels - Maths, English

Burlington Danes School
01.1979 - 01.1986
Neil Tolefree