SITA has appointed a brand new head of its borders enterprise to work with world companies to drive the continued digitisation of border administration.
The aviation expertise specialist says with demand from travellers surging, the sector can also be dealing with elevated cyber and safety threats alongside rising buyer expectations.
Pedro Alves will tackle the function of senior vp of SITA’s Borders enterprise, succeeding Jeremy Springall, who spent nearly a decade within the place.
SITA mentioned Alves brings “in depth expertise from CGI, Imaginative and prescient-Field, and IDEMIA, the place he helped pioneer border and id applied sciences which have formed how individuals transfer throughout borders”.
Since becoming a member of SITA in early 2024 to guide world enterprise improvement, Alves has labored carefully with governments to drive fashionable border options which can be safe, scalable, and people-centric.
David Lavorel, SITA chief government, mentioned: “Pedro takes the reins at a time when the wants of border companies are evolving quick.
“With rising world mobility and the growing complexity of threats, governments are turning to smarter applied sciences to maintain borders safe whereas unlocking frictionless journey.
“On the identical time, advances in digital id current an thrilling alternative to fully reimagine the best way individuals cross borders.
“Pedro’s deep experience and forward-looking imaginative and prescient make him the perfect chief to hold SITA Borders into this subsequent part, constructing on the robust basis Jeremy has laid.”
SITA mentioned as world pressures from terrorism, human trafficking, and rising well being threats grew, Springall “formed SITA Borders into the trusted companion of option to over 70 governments”.
In 2024, he led the workforce to the largest deal within the firm’s historical past – a milestone that displays his legacy of innovation, management and strategic development.
Alves mentioned: “Jeremy has been a mentor and a visionary, and I’m wanting ahead to carrying ahead the legacy he has constructed.
“We’re at a tipping level the place border management have to be dynamic, built-in and seamless. Governments have to be agile within the face of fast-changing calls for, and SITA is uniquely positioned to assist them with confirmed options, trusted partnerships, and a powerful give attention to buyer co-innovation.”
Lavorel added: “Jeremy’s affect has been nothing wanting transformational. From delivering important initiatives to shaping long-term technique, he’s been instrumental in SITA’s development and affect within the border area. We thank him for his extraordinary contributions and need him each success on this subsequent chapter.”
