UK-based travel management company Clarity has launched One Global Travel with long-standing US partner World Travel Inc – a joint venture designed to "put local expertise at the heart of a truly global travel solution".
The two companies, which have both been members of TMC networks in the past, evenly share ownership of One Global which is designed for small and mid-market organisations and emerging global businesses.
Jodie Gentles joins One Global as managing director, having previously been director of global sales at the Radius Travel network.
The founding members say the alliance features an "enviable line-up of
market leading TMCs" around the world and is expected to unveil some of them later this month.
Clarity CEO and chair of One Global Pat McDonagh said the TMC's clients have been "keen for us to take more control of our global offering for some time, offering the same consistent approach to business travel, and this partnership allows us to do so".
The organisation will provide "local expertise supported by global account management and [is] powered by single platform technology, data and duty of care," added McDonagh.
Mike Farrell, EVP of business development at Pennsylvania-based World Travel, said: "It is important to us that we aren't just ticking boxes and putting pins on the map, but adding genuine capability and a unified passion to deliver what customers expect globally."
Jodie Gentles joins the newly created partnership as general manager, having previously held roles at TMC network Radius Travel, American Express Global Business Travel, Hotelscene and Intel.
Gentles said the development will "resonate with customers who are tired of a lack of consistency in the network models and feel undervalued by the global mega agencies".
One Global is expected to announce key technology and commercial partnerships in the coming months.
Clarity, based in Manchester, has more than 300 staff and was ranked the UK's ninth largest TMC earlier this year. Mid-market World Travel claims to be the largest organically grown TMC in the US and is fully owned by employees.