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Corporate services company HRG UK was last night (6 December) named Best Business Travel Management Company (turnover above £50m) in the prestigious Buying Business Travel Awards 2008 – the third time the company has secured the award since its inception in 2003. Group Industry Affairs Director Mike Platt was also named ‘Personality of the Year’, recognising his tireless efforts and proactive approach to shaping industry standards and regulations worldwide.

Two of HRG UK’s key clients were also honoured in the awards: Business Travel Arranger of the Year was awarded to Ann Burling of HSBC, whilst Business Travel Team of the Year went to Merrill Lynch.

Leading corporate travel trade publication Buying Business Travel’s annual Diamond Awards celebrate outstanding quality and performance within the industry.  The awards represent the views of the industry’s most important customers – those who are responsible for securing the best service and value in a business estimated to be worth £26 billion a year in the UK alone.

David Radcliffe, Chief Executive of Hogg Robinson Group (parent company of HRG), said: “It is a huge accolade for HRG to be honoured by its peers, clients and industry partners in this way, celebrating not only the Company’s dedication to service excellence, but also the hard work, enthusiasm and commitment of all its employees.”

He continued: “I would also like to congratulate all the other winners in this year’s awards, particularly those from Merrill Lynch and HSBC.”

Mike Toynbee, Editor of Buying Business Travel, commented: "We were delighted to announce that HRG UK had again been voted Best Business Travel Management Company in this year’s Diamond Awards. Once again we had a tremendous response in terms of the votes cast in what has become the industry's most prestigious poll, underlining the passion for quality and efficiency within the corporate travel sector."

Initial nominations for the Diamond Awards are sought from a panel of industry experts, comprising top buyers representing organisations of all sizes and a team of leading business travel journalists. Buying Business Travel readers are then invited to vote, both via the magazine and online, with scope to add their own nominations as appropriate. The final awards are kept a closely guarded secret and announced at a prestigious awards reception which was held this year at London’s exclusive Hurlingham Club and attended by senior industry professionals.

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For further information:
Laurie Waugh / Jonathan Ludford
Hogg Robinson Group
Tel: +44 (0) 1256 312623
Email: laurie.waugh@hrgworldwide.com  

Leah Phelps / James Gilheany
Euro RSCG Biss Lancaster
Tel: +44 (0) 207 467 9200
Email: blhrg@bisslancaster.com

Notes to Editors:

HRG UK is wholly owned by Hogg Robinson Group (HRG), the award-winning international corporate services company. Founded in 1845, HRG has over 60 years specific corporate travel expertise. Its corporate services interests include wholly-owned or majority controlled corporate travel operations in 25 of the key driver and growth markets throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and North America.  Supported by contracted partners, the HRG worldwide network extends to over 100 countries.

Totally committed to a value offering for clients, HRG offers a comprehensive range of corporate services which in addition to Expense Management includes Corporate Travel Management, Consulting, Events & Meetings Management, and Sports.