The Travel Media Awards advisory panel consists of leading travel businesses and specialist travel PR companies, and plays an important role in shaping the awards.

The panel also provides invaluable knowledge and insight into the travel media sector, helping to ensure the awards remain a must-enter event for travel writers, broadcasters and photographers.

Anthony Leyens, Chairman, APL Media Ltd

Anthony Leyens is Chairman and Co-Founder of the multi-award-winning APL Media Ltd, publisher of National Geographic Traveller (UK) Travel Media Awards, ASTA and a wide portfolio of lifestyle initiatives with national newspapers.

With over four decades of experience across tour operating and international media, he is renowned for his expertise in luxury travel, branded content, strategic partnerships and global events. He is widely respected for creating influential media platforms and delivering high-impact international collaborations.

Giles Harper, Managing Director, Travega

Giles Harper is Managing Director of Travega, established in 2014 and offering a wide range of travel marketing solutions to both business and leisure travel organisations, revenue generation for a number of leading UK travel industry events, alongside bespoke event creation.

Co-founder of the Travel Media Awards, and Ambassador and fund raiser for the travel charity Just a Drop.

Emma Cashmore, Managing Director, Axis Travel Marketing

Emma Cashmore is the Founder and Managing Director of Axis Travel Marketing, one of London’s leading tourism marketing, PR and MICE agencies.

Emma has more than 20 years’ experience working across a variety of clients from luxury high-end resorts to emerging destinations, resulting in extensive reach from PR and brand marketing campaigns.

Jonathan Sloan, EVP, International Strategy, MMGY Global

Jonathan is Managing Director of MMGY Europe and has over 25 years of marketing and PR experience in the travel, hotel and restaurant sectors.

In his role, Jonathan connects companies and destinations in the travel and hospitality space with specific brands under the MMGY Global umbrella based on their specific channel marketing needs in Europe and the Middle East.

Jules Ugo, CEO, LOTUS

With almost thirty years in the communications landscape Jules is one of the most respected and well-known practitioners in the industry.

Blending a global and commercial mindset with a creative vision that has driven growth and innovation in the travel sector, Jules has led and delivered campaigns for leading outbound destinations, emerging nations, global hospitality brands and flagship airlines.

Featured repeatedly in PR Week’s Power Book, Jules has also served on the PRCA Council, been Vice Chair of the PRCA Travel & Tourism group and is a regular judge for industry awards. She has sat on the advisory committee of the Travel Media Awards since its inception.

Maria Pieri, Editorial Director, APL Media Limited

With more than 25 years’ experience in publishing and media, Maria Pieri is Chief Operating Officer and Editorial Director at APL Media, overseeing National Geographic Traveller (UK) and its associated brands, content marketing and its wider brand portfolio.

A former Chair of the British Society of Magazine Editors and BSME Editorial Director of the Year 2025, Maria also oversees the Travel Media Awards, which are owned and operated by APL Media, leading the team responsible for delivering and developing the awards each year.

She co-founded the Travel Media Awards’ Step Up initiative to support emerging talent, reflecting her commitment to championing excellence and nurturing the next generation of travel media professionals.

Amy Skelding, Managing Partner, FINN Partners

Amy Skelding leads the UK Travel Practice at FINN Partners, one of the fastest-growing global, independent marketing and communications agencies in the world, with a values-driven culture that champions integrity, collaboration and innovation.

FINN’s Travel Practice represents clients from across the travel and lifestyle sector including tourism boards, tour operators, airlines, hotel groups, luxury properties and more.

Lauren Khawam, Senior Communications Manager, easyJet Holidays

Lauren Khawam leads the Communications function at easyJet holidays, one of the UK’s leading package holiday provider.

Lauren oversees and manages the company’s public relations strategy and activities, and its internal communications programme.

Clare Copperwheat, Associate Director, MMGY Grifco

Clare has a decade of luxury travel PR expertise, delivering successful campaigns for hotel groups, boutique properties, spas, safari operators, and global destinations.

She excels in developing creative communications strategies, securing high-impact media coverage, organising press trips, and cultivating meaningful partnerships.

Kate McWilliams, CEO, LOTUS

Kate McWilliams is CEO of leading integrated travel marketing and PR agency LOTUS, representing many of the travel industry’s flagship destinations and brands.

A founding member of the company, she is passionate about delivering campaigns that drive meaningful impact — from developing tourism infrastructure and increasing revenue to championing a more inclusive travel sector. Kate is a graduate of the Oxford School of Climate Change and a volunteer of the LATA Foundation.