Update 22 June: Seven European travel management associations have issued a
joint statement in response to allegations of misconduct made against GBTA CEO
Scott Solombrino.
The statement provided by the ITM, VDR, DBTA, FBTA, NATM,
NBTA and SBTA says: “GBTA’s
European partner associations are aware of the investigation currently taking
place in the US following the allegations made in the trade press.
“Any
reports of misogyny, sexism, racism or bullying are a major concern to our
members. The language used in an email from the GBTA CEO to staff was alarming,
and we are understandably worried about other claims made about the conduct of
the association’s leadership.
“We will
await the outcome of the investigation before making any further comment. Rest
assured, we are in dialogue with the GBTA Board and will keep our members
informed of any relevant developments.”
The
statement was signed by Anne Mette
Berg, general manager, Danish Business Travel Association (DBTA); Sari
Viljamaa, managing director, Finnish Business Travel Association (FBTA);
Scott Davies, CEO, Institute of
Travel Management (ITM); Odete
Pimenta da Silva, managing director, Netherlands
Association for Travel Management (NATM); Jan Henrik Ulvatne, general
manager, Norwegian
Business Travel Association (NBTA); Lotten Fowler, general manager,
Swedish Business
Travel Association (SBTA); and Hans-Ingo
Biehl, executive director, Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement e.V. (VDR).
-Reported by Andy Hoskins
________________
The Global Business Travel Association's board of directors
issued a statement late Friday night informing members that CEO Scott Solombrino has
been placed on leave. According to the statement, preliminary results of an
investigation into anonymous allegations of misconduct against Solombrino warrants further review of the
matter.
"On June 8th, 2020, the GBTA Board of
Directors was made aware of allegations inconsistent with our commitment to
professionalism and a respectful work environment," the statement read.
"Without hesitation, the Board launched an internal review and subsequently
hired an independent, third-party attorney to undertake a formal investigation
of all allegations – those in the complaint, subsequent public notices, and
further communications to the Board."
As the deeper investigation proceeds, the board voiced its
commitment to a thorough review and its desire to give "all concerned
parties an opportunity to come forward," while at the same time assuring individuals
that the board will do "everything it can to protect your confidentiality,
as outlined in the GBTA policies governing such matters."
The statement also underscored the board's commitment to due
process and making evidence-based decisions. "We must get this
right," they wrote.
Senior executives who reported to Solombrino will
report to the senior executive committee of the board while he is on leave.