LONDON, UK – 15th July 2026 – Festive Road has announced the appointment of Steve Clagg as AI Architecture and Delivery Lead, to its growing Technology & AI Practice, reinforcing the consultancy’s commitment to helping travel and expense leaders navigate one of the most transformative periods in the industry’s history. Clagg brings deep expertise in travel & expense technology, having built a distinguished career at Microsoft.
As artificial intelligence reshapes travel technology, service delivery and programme management, Festive Road is investing in the expertise needed to help organisations make confident, informed decisions about the future of their travel programmes.
The appointment follows the recent addition of technology executive and former IKEA CTO, Susan Standiford as Strategic Advisor, further strengthening Festive Road’s position as a leading voice in AI-enabled travel and expense transformation.
”The future of travel and expense will be shaped by AI, data and technology. At Festive Road, we are committed to helping clients stay ahead of that change rather than react to it. Steve brings the insight, experience and innovative thinking needed to help organisations unlock the opportunities AI presents while maintaining strategic control of their programmes and data.
Caroline StrachanCEO
”Steve’s appointment strengthens our ability to take clients from AI ambition to practical delivery. From AI readiness assessments and technology architecture through to complete programme transformation, we can now help organisations understand where they are today, identify where AI can create meaningful value, and build the operating models, data foundations and delivery plans needed to make it real.
Mike OrchardGeneral Manager, Global Operations
”Festive Road sets the agenda for the future of travel and expense management. What drew me in was the firm’s innovative modern thinking, creative ambition, and honest independent perspective. Everyone has an AI point of view right now. Far fewer can turn it into architecture and delivery that hold up in the real world. That’s where we come in, and it’s why this was for me an easy yes.
Steve ClaggAI Architecture and Delivery Lead
Together with Standiford and the Festive Road team, Clagg will help shape Festive Road’s AI advisory services, thought leadership and consulting solutions, supporting clients as they navigate the next generation of travel technology and transformation.
Clagg will be attending the GBTA Convention in Chicago with the Festive Road team, August 3-5 and is available for thought provoking discussions with current and future Festive Road clients.
