Global destination management company Discova has appointed Susan Ogden as its global director of supply and distribution.

The newly created role will bring together three of the DMC’s key departments: product, connectivity and business solutions.

A leader within Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) for over 20 years, Ogden has worked across product, procurement, operations and tech integration projects before transitioning to the group’s DMC brand, Discova, in 2019 as its global product and strategy leader.

Then, in 2020, Ogden took the helm of Discova’s worldwide expansion strategy, laying the foundations for the company’s ambitious plans for growth. Having established the expansion framework, she moves into the director position to lead the next phase of development.

Discova managing director Suyin Lee said: “The future for Discova is expansion. Over the last 18 months, Susan has been forging plans for our global DMC network.

“With this framework now in place, we need to streamline how we design, source and introduce new product in the way our partners need it.

“Susan is an expert in this field, and having already established our path into many more destinations, she is the perfect person to lead us forward in the product-to-market space.”

Commenting on her appointment, Ogden said: “Discova has always been a forward-thinking organisation with a bright future, so I’m really excited for the opportunity to build on our strategy for expansion.

“We’ve had some very interesting projects bubbling away during the travel hibernation period and I can’t wait to start bringing them to life as the world reopens.”

Discova has also announced the appointment of Anneli Buehrle as an account manager, based in the UK.

Buehrle has previously held roles at DMCs in Australia and Asia, and has worked for STA Travel in London for the last seven years.

Discova’s global director of sales and marketing, Andrew Turner, said: “We are excited for Anneli to join the Discova business. As we continue to grow, it’s important we have the right talent to join us on this journey.

“Anneli is experienced in DMC operations from her previous role at STA Travel, is very well-connected within the industry, and has a personal passion for sustainability.

“Her passion for and experience within the field of responsible travel is especially valuable, as we hope her enthusiasm can help to promote our own social responsibility projects.”

Commenting on her appointment, Buehrle said: “Discova has always been an innovative organisation with a bright future, so I’m really excited for the opportunity to join at such an exciting time.

“I am very passionate about sustainable travel and getting people off the beaten track to experience real local activities and culture. It is vital these activities also benefit those communities.

“This is in line with all the great work Discova are doing. I am therefore very excited about joining Discova and supporting my partners to send their customers to these amazing places.”

The latest appointments come not long after Discova hired Adam O’Keefe as its new global marketing manager.