Energetic manager oversees region for airline
By Lu Feiran |
00:00 UTC+8 July 17, 2013
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
EXPERIENCE in different industries and in different countries has helped 33-year-old Tracy Dedman become the youngest regional general manager for British Airways and the first woman with the title.
Tracy Dedman, 33, the youngest regional general manager for British Airways and the first woman in the job, is involved in a history-making event - British Airways soon will become the first UK airline operating direct flights between Chengdu and London.
The new flights will make it more convenient for travelers in southwestern China to fly to the UK.
Inauguration of the thrice-weekly service on September 23 makes Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, the third market in Chinese mainland for the airline, which also flies daily out of Shanghai and Beijing.
Dedman oversees British Airways' commercial activities in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and the Philippines, reporting directly to the airline's area general manager for Asia Pacific and the Middle East in London.
"Although I'm based in Hong Kong, I visit the Chinese mainland frequently," she said. "To me, Shanghai and Beijing are like my second home."
She visited Shanghai for a business trip recently and spoke with Shanghai Daily.
Dedman said despite being relatively young, she has had important experiences in different industries and different countries that have made her competitive in the industry.
Dedman joined British Airways in 2005. Before joining the Hong Kong team in 2007, she worked in Bahrain for two years. She also led the China regional corporate sales team. Dedman was responsible for setting local sales strategies and designing new initiatives to drive revenue growth.
She also launched the airline's On Business corporate loyalty program in the region.
British Airways has been in the Chinese market for more than 30 years. It started flights between London and Beijing in 1980 and the market expanded to Shanghai in 2005.
Dedman said the Chinese government's "Go West" policy and the investment climate make for some fantastic opportunities. "Chengdu is a very impressive city. We have already had some fun activities in the UK to celebrate the new routes," she added.
Dedman said Chinese customers are important to the company so it has designed products for different sectors of customers.
For example, Chinese students going to UK are allowed to check two bags free (two bags with a maximum weight of 23kg each). They also have the flexibility to change return tickets without a fee.
"When you go to study, you don't know specifically when you're going to come back or when the exams are finished," she said. "Usually it costs money to change a ticket, but we offer it free of charge for students."
Customers buying British Airways tickets can also enjoy discounts in several department stores in the UK, such as Harrods and Liberty.
The company has a worldwide route network that covers more than 150 destinations in 75 countries.
"For example, if you fly from Shanghai to our state-of-the-art home at London Heathrow Terminal 5, then you can connect to other destinations in the UK and Europe," said Dedman. "And you can also go to Ireland because if Chinese people have a UK visa, they don't need an Ireland visa."
Dedman seemed destined to join the aviation industry. She said when she was four years old, her parents asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, and she said "pilot" without thinking. She said she doesn't know why. "After that, I kind of forgot what I said, and after I had worked for BA for a few years, my father reminded me that I used to want to be a pilot," she said. "He was like, 'Now look at you!' though actually I don't want to be a pilot anymore."
Dedman said her career experience spans the airline, hospitality and commercial real estate sectors, including working for the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit race.
She said her previous working experience has helped her with what she's doing now because she was always learning.
"The more you learn, the stronger position you're in to do a good job, and I'm basically learning every day," she said. "I enjoyed working in the Middle East, and I enjoy working in China, though it's quite different from the Middle East."
Dedman said both Chinese and Middle Eastern people are generous and kind, but Chinese people are more driven and hard working, which to her is inspiring. "I think this is why we are committed to China because we see the drive and ambition in the country and its people," she said.
Tracy Dedman, 33, the youngest regional general manager for British Airways and the first woman in the job, is involved in a history-making event - British Airways soon will become the first UK airline operating direct flights between Chengdu and London.
The new flights will make it more convenient for travelers in southwestern China to fly to the UK.
Inauguration of the thrice-weekly service on September 23 makes Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, the third market in Chinese mainland for the airline, which also flies daily out of Shanghai and Beijing.
Dedman oversees British Airways' commercial activities in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and the Philippines, reporting directly to the airline's area general manager for Asia Pacific and the Middle East in London.
"Although I'm based in Hong Kong, I visit the Chinese mainland frequently," she said. "To me, Shanghai and Beijing are like my second home."
She visited Shanghai for a business trip recently and spoke with Shanghai Daily.
Dedman said despite being relatively young, she has had important experiences in different industries and different countries that have made her competitive in the industry.
Dedman joined British Airways in 2005. Before joining the Hong Kong team in 2007, she worked in Bahrain for two years. She also led the China regional corporate sales team. Dedman was responsible for setting local sales strategies and designing new initiatives to drive revenue growth.
She also launched the airline's On Business corporate loyalty program in the region.
British Airways has been in the Chinese market for more than 30 years. It started flights between London and Beijing in 1980 and the market expanded to Shanghai in 2005.
Dedman said the Chinese government's "Go West" policy and the investment climate make for some fantastic opportunities. "Chengdu is a very impressive city. We have already had some fun activities in the UK to celebrate the new routes," she added.
Dedman said Chinese customers are important to the company so it has designed products for different sectors of customers.
For example, Chinese students going to UK are allowed to check two bags free (two bags with a maximum weight of 23kg each). They also have the flexibility to change return tickets without a fee.
"When you go to study, you don't know specifically when you're going to come back or when the exams are finished," she said. "Usually it costs money to change a ticket, but we offer it free of charge for students."
Customers buying British Airways tickets can also enjoy discounts in several department stores in the UK, such as Harrods and Liberty.
The company has a worldwide route network that covers more than 150 destinations in 75 countries.
"For example, if you fly from Shanghai to our state-of-the-art home at London Heathrow Terminal 5, then you can connect to other destinations in the UK and Europe," said Dedman. "And you can also go to Ireland because if Chinese people have a UK visa, they don't need an Ireland visa."
Dedman seemed destined to join the aviation industry. She said when she was four years old, her parents asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, and she said "pilot" without thinking. She said she doesn't know why. "After that, I kind of forgot what I said, and after I had worked for BA for a few years, my father reminded me that I used to want to be a pilot," she said. "He was like, 'Now look at you!' though actually I don't want to be a pilot anymore."
Dedman said her career experience spans the airline, hospitality and commercial real estate sectors, including working for the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit race.
She said her previous working experience has helped her with what she's doing now because she was always learning.
"The more you learn, the stronger position you're in to do a good job, and I'm basically learning every day," she said. "I enjoyed working in the Middle East, and I enjoy working in China, though it's quite different from the Middle East."
Dedman said both Chinese and Middle Eastern people are generous and kind, but Chinese people are more driven and hard working, which to her is inspiring. "I think this is why we are committed to China because we see the drive and ambition in the country and its people," she said.
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