TUI Travel, based in Crawley, West Sussex was founded in 2007 by the merger of First Choice Holidays and TUI AG. The company serves 30 million customers in 180 countries and has a fleet of 155 aircraft as well as 3500 retail outlets that employ 50,000 people worldwide. It has four main divisions; Mainstream, Specialist and Activity, Emerging Markets and Destination Services. IT Leader:Jim Mann,  Group CIO In role since:12 Years Reporting line:Directly into the CEO Board level seat:No – but attends the board when IT/Technology is on the agenda. IT budget:Over £200m IT estate and or number of log on accounts under the control of the IT leader:The company is IT dependent from both a customer, trading and  employee perspective.  With 45,000 employees worldwide the need for technology is significant. Level of the workforce that relies on technology to carry out their tasks:Almost everyone IT staff currently employed: Over 1000 Split between in-house/outsourced staff:Not applicable Primary technology platforms at the organisation:Selling, distribution  trading and aviation systems in each market, along with the normal range of ERP. Primary technology suppliers:Mix of travel technology suppliers and in house bespoke systems Significant strategic technology deals been struck in the last 12 months:Anite travel reservation system, Dell outsourcing contract for service desk Strategic aim of the CIO and IT operations for the next financial year:Significantly increase internet presence, and to improve operational efficiencies through future proof system replacement and consolidation Technologies considered by the leader to offer their organisation potential:Search, online, reservations. How do you see technology transforming your organisation in the near future? Improved sales and competitiveness. Read more on CIO: CIO Mark Thompson of TUI's spirit of adventure