Former Sabre executive joins Conferma

Sabre’s ex-European head Martin Cowley is joining the board of payment and settlement solutions firm Conferma.

Sabre’s ex-European head Martin Cowley is joining the board of payment and settlement solutions firm Conferma.


His appointment follows former Co-operative Travel Group commercial chief Shaun Hinds joining Conferma earlier this year in the newly-created position of commercial director.


Before moving to Europe, Cowley was chief executive of Sabre Pacific and spent 20 years with the Swire Group holding executive positions at companies including Cathay Pacific.


He will work with chief executive Simon Barker on international business development.


Also reporting to Barker, Hinds has day-to-day responsibility for the business and oversees the strategic and market development as the company expands its international operations. This includes the opening of offices in the US and Canada.


The US office, located in Falls Church, Virginia close to Washington DC, will be the first Conferma has opened in addition to its Manchester headquarters and will be used to spearhead the company’s offering in North America. A second office is planned for Vancouver headed by Conferma co-founder Jim Barker.


Barker said: “I’m delighted to welcome both Shaun and Martin to Conferma. They bring with them the right mix of strategic leadership, commercial know-how, industry knowledge and contacts to help take Conferma to the next level of growth.


“Their appointments, as well as the opening of our offices in North America, will enable us to consolidate our leadership position in the rapidly changing market for travel and expense settlement and reconciliation services.”