BUSINESSWOMAN Edel Doherty, currently in Singapore at the exclusive Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network Summit, has set her sights on growing her business travel firm to a £50 million turnover after expanding into Dublin.
Founder and managing director of Beyond Business Travel, a bespoke travel management company which specialises in tailoring travel management to the clients’ needs, Edel started the company in 2010 in Belfast in the midst of recession.
Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength, now with 25 employees and a £16m turnover. It has also just opened an office in Dublin.
Edel has been invited to attend the Dell summit, which brings together 200 of the most inspiring female entrepreneurs, international media and Dell executives for two days of collaboration, thought leadership and networking.
Before heading to Singapore she said: “I’ve been long associated with Women in Business in Northern Ireland, whose chief executive Roseann Kelly introduced me to Ingrid Devin, director of the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network.
“Once Ingrid knew my story and my business, she kindly invited me to attend this exclusive 10th anniversary event. It is something very different for me. They are only 200 entrepreneurs, speakers and media at this two day bespoke event so I am really quite honoured to be invited.
“There is a two day jam-packed programme from understanding how to innovate in the future, to doing business in Asia, with some exceptional women entrepreneurs sharing their stories, from Kathleen Chien, founder of 51jobs in China to Sabrina Tan, founder of Skin Inc. The subject matter is hugely relevant to me today as technology has changed the way Beyond is doing business.
“Having worked in the travel business for more than 30 years and now working for various sectors from film where we’ve played an instrumental part with the likes of Game of Thrones and Line of Duty, to fintech, pharma, manufacturing, food and IT, it’s important to be at the top of our game.
“Technology allows us to achieve that from our own Beyond Business dashboard analytics to self-booking and global traveller tracking we ensure that our clients’ needs are met if not exceeded.”
She added: “The summit, which looks to share knowledge and support peers in accelerating business growth, is relevant as I look to grow the business in the next four years to a turnover of £50 million.
“As well as that, we decided to set up an office in Dublin. It’s a natural progression, and with a vibrant economy in the Republic there is a need for a new breed of travel management company which we believe we can fill.”
