Our People - Cathryn Bardwell
Name: Cathryn Bardwell
Role: Operational Team Leader
Location: Brisbane
When British Airways rejected Cathryn Bardwell’s application to be a flight attendant, because she tested as being ‘too ambitious’, it was clear that they saw a bright future for her. She went on to join the company in a different role and eventually found herself being responsible for their high level VIP customer liaison. It was during this time she met celebrities including Bryan Adams and Stevie Wonder, greeted the Queen’s plane and looked after the children of Princess Diana’s brother.That was back in her hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa and today it seems a lifetime ago. However, it was a period that nurtured her love of the travel business. Cathryn went on to work both in retail and corporate travel for the likes of American Express and Greyhound Buses –before joining FCM Travel Solutions in 2012.
Leading a team of nine Travel Managers
Today Cathryn works with global multinational companies as an FCM Operational Team Leader supporting and leading up to nine FCM travel managers in her immediate team. Working out of the Flight Centre Travel Group and FCM head office in South Brisbane, Cathryn oversees large corporate travel programs, some of which include thousands of travellers. But according to Cathryn whether you’re dealing with a $40m travel program or a $4m travel budget, the key to developing a great long-term client relationship always comes down to communication.
While her days are predominately occupied with monitoring her team and driving policy, when a client issue comes up the first thing she does is jump on the phone. Being proactive and moving quickly to put a solution in place is always Cathryn’s first priority. Cathryn credits her early experience in retail travel and customer liaison for her keenness to communicate directly and frequently with clients. Something made easier by the solid multilevel relationships that she prides herself on establishing within each client’s organisation.
Finding the work-life balance
As far as career highlights go, Cathryn is right at home in her current role, which she finds both challenging and rewarding. She enjoys the complexities of looking after multinational clients and the rewards that come with working with her professional and dedicated team.
“I love watching the team developing their skills and knowledge – and always striving to add value to everything we do for our clients,” said Cathryn.
When not managing her team, Cathryn is busy managing the schedules of her two active sons. She says she is committed to leaving work stresses at the office, which helps her to find a balance and the space to enjoy family time. She can often be found carting around car loads of motorbike paraphernalia (her sons’, not hers!), but she enjoys nothing more than reading, going to the beach and when she can, staying home.