2025 Review: Building the Future of Travel Risk & Travel Optimisation
As we wrap up another remarkable year, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support. With the festive season in full swing, we’re excited to share our end-of-year review – highlighting key moments and milestones, along with a few updates and warm wishes as we head into 2026.
A Landmark Achievement for the Industry
This year marked a genuine “I was there” moment for the industry. The world’s first formal certification in Travel Risk Management at Level 4 was awarded to Andrew Lowe, Travel Risk Manager at BP. He became the first graduate of the Travel Risk Academy ATHE Level 4 Award in Travel Risk Management. As a result, he has set a new benchmark for professional standards in the field.
This global first reinforces Travel Risk Academy’s mission to educate, inspire and qualify those responsible for keeping travellers safe. It also supports organisations in building effective and optimised travel programmes.
Evolving Qualifications: Level 5 Moves Into Beta
Building on the success of Level 4, the ATHE Level 5 Award in Travel Risk Management has now entered beta testing. A highly engaged group of Travel Risk Managers and practitioners are taking part.
These Level 5 beta cohorts are working closely with Travel Risk Academy to refine, stress-test and adapt the programme. Their goal is to ensure the course truly reflects the realities of today’s complex, tech-enabled and fast-changing world.
Their feedback is shaping content around ISO31030, cross-functional collaboration and Travel Optimisation Management. Consequently, Level 5 is becoming not only academically robust but also practically indispensable.
Communities Regrouping for 2026
The Travel Risk Academy Communities remain central to how TRA turns learning into action. They also drive meaningful industry-wide change. Throughout the year, our DEI and Technology & Data communities met regularly to explore how identity, health, automation, data integration and AI continue to reshape the traveller risk landscape.
These communities are now regrouping and re-evaluating their aims. They are preparing for a refreshed relaunch in January 2026, with clearer objectives, more structured projects and greater opportunities for members to contribute and lead.
Learning, Events and Membership in 2025
Throughout 2025, Travel Risk Academy expanded its portfolio of courses, workshops and webinars. These covered every stage of the TRM learning journey, from introductory ISO31030 training to the ATHE Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications.
The Travel Optimisation Management Summit (TOMS Week) returned in May as an immersive online experience. It brought together professionals from around the world to explore how to reduce risk while optimising travel programmes.
Through Travel Risk Academy Membership, individuals and organisations gained access to webinars, workshops, resources and community groups. This support helped members move beyond tick-box compliance and develop truly optimised, resilient travel programmes.
Co-Founder Reflections
Bex Deadman, Co-Founder
“From humble beginnings, 2025 has been a year of delivery. We are incredibly proud of our first students joining the Level 4 and Level 5 TRM Qualification cohorts. This milestone is the first step in meaningfully professionalising TRM, and supporting this community has been our honour.”
Sara McKenna, Co-Founder
“2025 was a year of discovery and genuine delivery for Travel Risk Academy. Our qualifications sit at the heart of all we do. I believe our approach – leading with the heart – will help the TRA become a true professional home as Travel Risk Management evolves into Travel Optimisation Management. A huge thank-you to our learners, mentors, speakers, partners and clients for their trust and energy. We look forward to even more innovation in 2026.”
Simon Crane, Co-Founder
“2025 was a landmark year for Travel Risk Academy. Our first student achieved the ATHE Level 4 Award in Travel Risk Management — the only independently accredited qualification of its kind worldwide. This milestone demonstrates the importance of these awards and the rising demand for professional development in travel risk management. We are thrilled to see more highly experienced managers preparing to enrol for the Level 4 and Level 5 Awards in 2026.”
Looking Ahead: An Invitation to Join Us
As Travel Risk Academy grows, the focus remains clear: to be the centre of excellence where TRM professionals learn, share, test ideas and co-create the future of Travel Risk and Travel Optimisation Management.
In 2026, TRA will continue expanding its learning platform, membership programme, communities and events. More people will have the opportunity to gain accredited qualifications and help shape how organisations manage travel risk.
Whether you are already part of the TRA family, considering formal TRM training or just beginning to explore the field, you are warmly invited to join the movement and help shape what comes next.