SITA appoints Patrik Svensson Gillstedt to drive strategy and growth

SITA, the leading IT provider to the air transport industry, has announced the appointment of Patrik Svensson Gillstedt as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Growth Enablement. Patrik will oversee SITA’s strategy for growth, as the company continues to help the air transport industry’s return to the skies, supported by the ongoing digital transformation of the industry’s travel processes.

His responsibilities include driving SITA’s corporate growth strategy, value proposition, brand development, and innovation and ESG activities. He comes to his new role with over 19 years of consulting and corporate experience gained in a variety of companies from start-ups and scale-ups to corporate giants, such as McKinsey, Ericsson, and Vodafone.

Patrik has been responsible for growth, transformation, and innovation strategies across a range of industries, including technology, retail, consumer goods, and private equity companies. He brings to SITA and the air transport industry a wide range of experience in the commercialization of new technologies, operating model design, innovation, venture management, and more.

Patrik Svensson Gillstedt said: “It is exciting to be joining SITA at a time when both the company and the travel industry are experiencing growth, and when there is optimism about the future of travel once again. We are seeing the increasing adoption by the travel industry of many transformative digital technologies, both existing and emerging. So for me there could not be a more interesting time to be embarking on this new journey with a leading player in the travel technology space.”

David Lavorel, CEO, SITA, added: “Patrik is an excellent addition to SITA’s Executive Team, and I speak for all of us in welcoming him to our company as we pursue our strategy for growth. We are an organization of experts dedicated to and passionate about aviation and the wider travel and transportation industry. Digital technology is shaping the future of travel, and SITA is at the forefront of that trend. We are delighted to bring on board Patrik’s experience and expertise as we continue to transform travel.”   

Patrik is based in SITA’s Geneva office in Switzerland. He has two Master’s degrees in Engineering and Economics, spent 10 years in consulting at QVARTZ/Bain and McKinsey, and then worked at Ericsson’s in-house strategy consultancy leading its Sales and Operations practice. Before joining SITA, he was the Global Head of Strategy and Corporate Development of Vodafone Business, leading strategy, planning, M&A, and innovation management across Vodafone’s global B2B portfolio.