“In the short term, I plan on meeting with as many people as possible throughout the organization, in all regions and at all levels,” said Baars. “I’ve remained close to BCD, but there’s a great deal to learn from our incredible employees, executive team and partners. Together with the team, I pledge our continued commitment to helping our clients drive success in their business.”
Baars’ long-term goal mirrors BCD’s vision: to be the world’s most trusted, innovative and sustainable travel management company. BCD has made substantial progress toward this vision by reaching sales, client retention and employee engagement goals along with recent technology and sustainability advancements. BCD’s post-pandemic recovery efforts have strengthened the company overall. BCD recorded $16 billion in total sales in 2022, and its global workforce is back over 13,000 employees.
Last year, BCD was recognized as the Most Admired TMC for the sixth consecutive year and 10th time overall by readers of The Beat and received an EcoVadis Platinum rating for sustainability for the third year in a row. BCD has continued to invest in innovative solutions such as the award-winning travel management platform TripSource®.
“BCD’s accomplishments come from within – our people and their commitment to living the BCD values every day,” said Baars. “I’m humbled and inspired by what I’ve come back to here at BCD Travel. I could not be more confident that, together, we will continue to build and grow a company and culture that, as our founder is fond of saying, endures for the next, next generation.”
A native of Hanover, Germany, Baars has three decades of executive leadership experience in the telecommunications, oil and gas production, business travel and investment sectors. In 2013, he became chairman of the Supervisory Board for BCD Travel Germany, a role he still holds today. In recognition of BCD’s global scope, Baars will split time between the global headquarters in Utrecht and other regional offices around the world.
