Meet Bradley Pearsall: supporting Travel Counsellors to grow their corporate businesses

When you become a Travel Counsellor, you are never on your own. Alongside our technology, training and community, you have the support of a dedicated Head Office team who are invested in helping your business grow.

Bradley Pearsall, our Business Development Manager for Corporate, is a key part of that support network. Working closely with Travel Counsellors across South Africa, Bradley helps them identify, win and develop corporate travel opportunities, while ensuring their clients receive the personal, high-quality service that Travel Counsellors is known for.

As Bradley celebrates his first year with the business, we caught up with him to find out more about his role, what he enjoys most about working with Travel Counsellors and the exciting future of corporate travel.

A year of building meaningful relationships

Looking back on his first 12 months, Bradley says the quality of the relationships he has built has been one of the highlights.

"Working alongside the incredible team at our South Africa Head Office, our fantastic community of Travel Counsellors and our clients has been genuinely energising," he says.

Bradley has also enjoyed seeing new corporate relationships develop from an initial conversation into trusted partnerships.

"I really enjoy the way we work as one team to support our clients with their business travel needs and create solutions that genuinely make their lives easier."

Why Travel Counsellors?

Bradley was drawn to Travel Counsellors because of its culture, ethics and values.

"The way the business looks after its people and its clients, and the emphasis on a true concierge-style service across both business and personal travel, really resonated with me," he explains.

"I wanted to be part of a company where care is not just a word on a wall but something you feel in every interaction."

That people-first approach is central to the Travel Counsellors model. It is reflected in the way Head Office supports Travel Counsellors, the way Travel Counsellors look after their clients and the way long-term relationships are built.

Helping Travel Counsellors grow their corporate businesses

In his role as Business Development Manager for Corporate, Bradley focuses on growing and nurturing both existing and new corporate client relationships.

That includes identifying new opportunities, having strategic conversations with prospective clients and working alongside Travel Counsellors to develop tailored solutions for each organisation.

He also supports effective key account management, helping existing clients feel valued, understood and well looked after.

"Ultimately, it is about ensuring they experience the full benefit of partnering with Travel Counsellors for their business travel," says Bradley.

For Travel Counsellors, this means having an experienced partner at Head Office who can help them explore corporate opportunities, prepare for important conversations and build solutions that work for their clients.

A shared sense of purpose

One of Bradley's favourite parts of the role is collaborating with Travel Counsellors.

"I absolutely love the energy and passion that comes through when we collaborate," he says. "Sitting down with Travel Counsellors to unpack potential opportunities, prepare for high-level meetings and then ultimately win new corporate clients is incredibly fulfilling."

He believes the relationship is about much more than winning new accounts.

"We are building long-term partnerships that support our Travel Counsellors' businesses and add real value for their clients. Seeing that come to life is both inspiring and motivating."

This shared sense of purpose is one of the ways the wider Travel Counsellors community works together. Every person brings their own expertise, while the support of the wider business helps turn opportunities into sustainable growth.

The difference a personal approach can make

For Bradley, the biggest strength of the Travel Counsellors corporate proposition is its human touch.

"Clients know they are dealing with a dedicated, accountable travel professional who genuinely cares about their people and their travel experience," he explains.

That personal service is supported by technology and systems that give corporate clients visibility, control and efficiency.

"It is the combination of high-touch service with smart tools that makes our corporate proposition so powerful. We are agile enough to respond quickly, while still offering structure, policy compliance and meaningful reporting."

It is this balance between personal service and professional systems that helps Travel Counsellors deliver a corporate travel experience that is both caring and effective.

A proud first-year achievement

One of Bradley's proudest moments so far has been bringing a high-profile corporate client in the legal sector on board.

The organisation was looking for a personal, concierge-style business travel management partner. Bradley worked with the client to refine and adapt its travel policy and service level agreement, before collaborating closely with the client team, the internal Head Office team and the dedicated Travel Counsellor.

"Seeing that relationship strengthen and evolve into a longer-term partnership has been particularly satisfying," he says.

The achievement highlights the difference that can be made when a Travel Counsellor has the right support around them, from the initial opportunity through to day-to-day account management.

Relationships built on trust

Bradley believes that the best corporate client relationships are built on understanding, trust and open communication.

"It starts with really listening, taking the time to identify with the client's needs and pressures, and then working with them in a warm, consultative way to co-create the right solutions."

For Bradley, business development is not about a hard sell or a transactional approach. It is about being honest, transparent and genuinely focused on what is best for the client and their travellers.

"That aligns perfectly with the Travel Counsellors philosophy, where the client is always at the centre of the conversation and relationships are built to last."

Looking ahead to year two

Bradley sees significant potential for corporate travel across South Africa and the wider African continent.

"There is so much potential to partner with businesses that are looking for something more personal, more flexible and more caring in their approach to business travel," he says.

As he looks ahead, Bradley is excited to deepen existing relationships, build new ones and play his part in shaping the future of the corporate offering.

"Ultimately, it is about using our expertise and passion to make a positive difference in the lives of those we work with, both inside and outside of Travel Counsellors."

Discover the support behind your business

Bradley's role is one example of the expertise available to Travel Counsellors as they build and grow their own travel businesses.

From corporate business development and marketing to technology, finance and customer support, our Head Office teams work alongside Travel Counsellors every day.

If you are looking for the freedom to run your own travel business with the support of a caring, connected community behind you, discover what it means to become a Travel Counsellor.

Ready to explore your next chapter? Find out more about becoming a Travel Counsellor.