StudentUniverse, Flight Centre Travel Group’s (FCTG) online travel booking platform exclusively for students, is thrilled to announce Sam Willan as Global VP of Marketing

Willan, based in the UK, has spent 12 years with FCTG, and played a key role in the acquisition of StudentUniverse in 2016. As the GM of International Markets for the past three years, Willan brings a wealth of industry and brand experience to the role and will oversee all aspects of digital marketing efforts across the global brand.

Sam Willan said:

For over two years, student and youth travellers have missed out on both the cultural and educational experiences of travel that cannot be learned in the classroom. As StudentUniverse grows out of the pandemic, it’s now more important than ever to connect with our customers in a meaningful way – being a business that makes travel accessible to young travellers, and one that they can trust.

We’ve made bold moves throughout the pandemic, including a partnership with Amazon Prime Student and the launch of StudentUniverse in Canada. We’re moving in the right direction to grow the brand on a global scale, while continuing to be locally relevant in each market through strategic partnerships and marketing support.

StudentUniverse Managing Director, Steven de Blois, says:

Sam’s collective experience and familiarity with our business will undoubtedly promote the team’s success under his leadership. Sam has demonstrated his capability to deliver upon our strategic objectives, and we’re excited to see the impact of his guidance on a global scale.

While based in London, Willan will also spend time with the US team at the company headquarters in Boston, US. He is also a board member of the British Educational Travel Association (BETA).

Find out more about BETA member StudentUniverse here