On Friday 19 June, the business travel community came together in London for the Institute of Travel Management (ITM) Achievement Awards 2026, celebrating the outstanding individuals and teams shaping the future of our industry. Hosted by Olympic Gold Medallist Sally Gunnell OBE alongside ITM CEO Scott Davies, the annual awards recognised those driving innovation, delivering exceptional service, championing sustainability and supporting the next generation of talent through mentoring. With another exceptional standard of nominations, the judging panel faced the difficult task of selecting this year’s winners.

Among this year’s winners was Graeme Hooper, Partnerships Sales Manager at Checkin Apartments, who was named ITM’s One to Watch. The award celebrates emerging professionals who are already making a meaningful impact and demonstrating the potential to shape the future of business travel.

Graeme’s journey makes the achievement particularly special. Having moved to the UK just three years ago and embarked on a new career in the serviced accommodation and business travel sector, he has quickly established himself as a valued member of the Checkin Apartments team. From building trusted relationships with clients and accommodation partners to supporting quality, sustainability and mentoring initiatives, Graeme has embraced every opportunity to learn, grow and make a difference.

Following his award win, we caught up with Graeme to discuss his career journey, what the recognition means to him, the role mentoring has played in his development, and why he’s excited about the future of the serviced apartment sector.

Q1. First of all, congratulations! What went through your mind when your name was announced?

Thank you! It was a real surprise and an incredibly proud moment. I felt genuinely honoured to be recognised alongside so many talented people in the industry. Winning the award made me reflect on how much I’ve learned since joining the business travel sector just a few years ago, and it was rewarding to see that hard work recognised. It has given me even more motivation to continue learning, challenging myself and making a positive impact for both my team and our clients.

Q2. For anyone who doesn’t know you, tell us a little about your role at Checkin Apartments.

As a Partnerships Sales Manager at Checkin Apartments, I work closely with corporate clients to source and manage accommodation for business travel, relocations and extended stays. Every day is different, from building relationships with clients and accommodation partners to negotiating the best solutions and ensuring every stay runs smoothly.

Alongside client work, I’m involved in developing supplier relationships, onboarding new team members, product training and supporting some of our quality and sustainability initiatives. What I enjoy most is solving problems and helping clients find the right solution while building long-term partnerships.

Q3. What does winning ITM’s One to Watch Award mean to you personally?

Winning the One to Watch Award means a great deal to me. I moved to the UK just 3 years ago which also prompted a career change, landing me in the serviced accommodation and business travel sector.

It’s an important milestone in my career and it’s incredibly rewarding to receive recognition from respected peers within the business travel industry. It validates the effort I’ve put into developing my knowledge, building relationships and continually looking for ways to improve. It also motivates me to keep learning and contributing positively to both my team and the wider industry.

Q4. Your award recognised your development, commercial success and commitment to sustainability. Which achievement are you most proud of over the past year?

I’m proud of the progress I’ve made across several areas, but particularly the relationships I’ve built with clients and accommodation partners. Being able to secure new business while continuing to deliver excellent service has been especially rewarding.

I’m also proud to have contributed to initiatives behind the scenes, including supporting our ISO 9001 and EcoVadis Gold accreditations and helping improve internal processes that benefit both our team and our clients. It’s satisfying to know that your work has a lasting impact beyond individual bookings.

Q5. You were part of the ITM Mentoring Programme. How important has mentoring been in your career?

Mentoring has played a huge role in my development. Taking part in the ITM Mentoring Programme gave me the opportunity to learn from an experienced industry professional, challenge my own thinking and gain a broader perspective on the business travel sector.

I’ve also been fortunate to work alongside colleagues who have generously shared their knowledge and encouraged me to take on new challenges. As I’ve developed, I’ve really enjoyed having the opportunity to support others too, whether that’s helping onboard new team members or mentoring an intern during their placement. It reinforces how valuable sharing knowledge can be.

Q6. What have you learned since joining Checkin Apartments?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that success in corporate accommodation is about much more than arranging stays. It’s about building trust, understanding each client’s unique requirements and finding solutions when challenges arise.

I’ve also developed a much greater appreciation of the importance of supplier relationships, operational excellence and continuous improvement. Whether that’s visiting properties, gathering client feedback or contributing to quality and sustainability initiatives, every experience has helped me become more adaptable, commercially aware and confident in delivering exceptional service.

Q7. What excites you most about the serviced apartment and corporate accommodation sector?

The industry is constantly evolving. Technology is making travel more seamless, but at the same time there’s an even greater emphasis on personalised service, sustainability and traveller wellbeing.

What excites me is that serviced apartments continue to play an increasingly important role in business travel, offering flexibility and a better experience for many travellers. I’m looking forward to continuing to develop my expertise, embracing new technologies and helping shape the future of corporate accommodation.

Q8. Is there someone who’s had a significant influence on your career?

I’ve been fortunate to learn from a number of colleagues, mentors and industry professionals, so it’s difficult to single out one individual. Their willingness to share knowledge, provide honest feedback and encourage me to step outside my comfort zone has had a huge impact on my development.

Those experiences have shaped how I approach my own role, and I hope to continue supporting others as my career progresses.

Q9. What advice would you give someone starting their career in business travel?

The business travel industry moves quickly, so being adaptable and open to new experiences is really important.

Take every opportunity to build relationships, ask questions and learn from people around you. Visiting properties, understanding different parts of the industry and listening to clients all help you build knowledge that you simply can’t get from behind a desk.

Q10. Finally… what’s next?

Winning this award has given me even more motivation to continue developing my career within the business travel industry. I’d like to build on what I’ve learned so far, continue strengthening client and partner relationships, and contribute to improving standards across the business.

I’m also keen to keep learning through industry initiatives like ITM and, as my experience grows, support and mentor others starting out in their own careers.

Looking Ahead

Graeme’s story is a reminder that success isn’t defined by how long you’ve been in an industry, but by your willingness to learn, build relationships and embrace new opportunities.

From relocating to the UK and changing careers to being recognised as one of the industry’s rising stars, his journey reflects the values that underpin Checkin Apartments: collaboration, continuous improvement and a commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for clients and partners alike.

Congratulations again, Graeme, on a well-deserved achievement. We look forward to seeing what comes next.