CTM Career Pathways: Salv Silvera

A Journey Abroad

Dreaming of a career that can take you places, open doors to new opportunities, challenges your thinking, and encourages career aspirations? Meet Salv Silvera. His story might just be the encouragement you need to take your next step to join us at CTM.

 

Salv’s CTM Career Pathway – Snapshot

• 2012 – Regional Client Value Manager – WA/NT (Head of Account Management)
• 2015 – General Manager WA/NT
• 2018 – General Manager/Senior VP – Corporate West, Host Agency & Leisure. North America
• 2020 – General Manager – Southern England & Client Services. UK

Tell us a little about your entry into the travel industry and joining CTM

I started working in the travel industry back in 1993 but took a breather for a few years when I was the General Manager of the Perth Zoo, but I guess in some ways it was still a part of the greater tourism industry. I enjoyed my role at the Zoo and certainly was not looking for a new opportunity until 2012 when CTM knocked on my door. It was their incredible vision and leadership team that attracted me to join the company and here we are in 2023, so I am pleased I said YES!

I started as a Regional Client Value Manager which CTM, now called Head of Account Management, for Western Australia and Northern Territory which I held for 3 years, then my next CTM opportunity was presented and that was just the start of my career pathway.

How did your first role in CTM Australia springboard you to where you are now in London?

During my time as Regional Client Value Manager, I was fortunate enough to be selected for the CTM High-Potential Program (HiPo). This CTM employee initiative certainly had a huge and positive impact on my career with CTM and I would not be in my current role without it. It provided me with the right platform to learn new and different skills and forced me to put myself in uncomfortable positions and on projects that broadened my ability to think outside of the box.

Through this program, a career development roadmap was created in conjunction with my mentor and this is what identified my aspirations for moving overseas, where I have been privileged to experience mergers and acquisitions and other career aspirations I am still waiting to fulfill. I will always be grateful to my mentor for encouraging me to consider moving overseas to grow my career; it has certainly benefited me professionally and personally.

Your career at CTM has seen you hold some amazing roles in exciting locations around the world. Did you need any specific qualifications for any of your CTM positions?

There were no specific qualifications I needed for the roles I have held in CTM. I do hold several qualifications including an MBA that I had completed before joining the business, but this was not a requirement. As a General Manager and having been involved in the recruiting of staff, it is often one’s attitude and willingness to learn that goes further and is far more valuable.

 

What has been your most valuable learning experience?

I moved to the USA to head up the CTM’s host agency and leisure division, having recently acquired another leisure travel business. It forced me to leave my comfort zone and do something completely different. Every day I was learning something new and was presented with varied challenges such as enculturating employees who had been with the acquired business for over 40 years. It was a huge challenge, but I am so pleased I had the opportunity to work through it as I learned a lot from the experience.

What are the 5 things you love about CTM the most?

1. A culture of empowerment. I love the fact that I can create ideas and make decisions without all the red tape.
2. The opportunities. Moving overseas and experiencing the mergers of businesses has been amazing.
3. Employee benefits. My most valued one is flexibility with time off. I have never worked on my birthday since I started at CTM.
4. It is fun. I still pinch myself and think, do I really get paid to love my work this much?
5. Travel. I have had the most unbelievable travel experiences. Attending our CTM All-Stars conference is always a big highlight.

What advice would you give to others considering joining CTM, or looking to change their career direction?

Be clear about what you want from the industry and go for it! CTM has much to offer and they are so supportive of all employees to make their ambitions become a reality. It may sound cliché, but the world is your oyster.

Last but not least, how would you describe your CTM employee experience?

An amazing dream.