Umbrella and Evolvi

Peter, many of our TMC partners in Great Britain immediately enquired about the interface to Evolvi. How important is the TMC sales channel for Evolvi?
TMCs are by far the most important sales channel for Evolvi. After all, the tool was originally developed by a travel agency. Today 170 of the 200 largest business travel agencies in the UK use Evolvi. To avoid channel conflicts, we deliberately choose not to market the tool directly to corporate clients. 

How many users does Evolvi have at the moment?
We currently have over a million registered users from more than 22,000 companies that generate over 9 million transactions each year.

Do you also have customers and partners outside of the British business travel market?
Yes. We try to expand in new markets. This is why we established a partnership with CTrip, for example. I assume that more similar cooperations will follow soon. As part of such partnerships, we are also expanding our activities in leisure travel and B2C. Evolvi is also available at foreign agents and partners of British TMCs.

You mentioned earlier that Evolvi was originally developed by a travel agency. Tell us more about that.
Sure. The first version of Evolvi was developed by Harry Weeks Travel in Bromley in 2005. In 2007, the company was then taken over by the Capita Group, a large outsourcing specialist with 73,000 employees. This takeover was also the basis for Evolvi’s rapid growth.

Peter Koukoularides outside of work: where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I was born and raised in London, but I have lived in Derby now for many years.

Is Derby County also your favourite football team?
It is! Unfortunately, however, since leaving the Premier League in 2008, it is more pity than party with the club. But of course, I keep my fingers crossed for the Rams and hope they make it back to the championship playoffs this year.

Do you have any other hobbies or a special passion?
Like many others in this field, I was bitten by the travel bug. It all started with a two-and-a-half year backpacking tour around the world.

Wow, that sounds very exciting. Which country impressed you most?
I really like South America in general, especially Chile. The unbelievably beautiful Atacama desert, the great wine-growing regions, beaches, pristine nature in the national parks in the south – and all of it in a very well organised, safe country in relation to other parts of South America. I really have to go back soon...

Peter, thank you very much for the interview!