Our people

Our people are the heart and soul of Travvia. From our friendly customer service team to our dedicated vehicle maintenance staff, every member of our team is driven by a passion for travel and a commitment to excellence. We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to grow. 

We invest in our team members through ongoing training and development opportunities, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge to deliver the best possible experience for our customers. Together, we are united by a shared love for adventure and a desire to inspire others to explore the world. 

  • Simon Birkenhead

    Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

    Simon is a seasoned business executive who has been leading organisations in Europe, New Zealand and Australia for over 20 years. He brings a rare blend of commercial instinct, digital acumen and strategic vision to Travvia's next chapter of growth. Having spent his career leading private equity and VC-backed businesses across adtech, digital marketing and travel, most recently as CEO of HQ Travel Group, Simon understands how to build businesses that deliver great customer experiences and commercial success. A graduate of London Business School and Cambridge University and an accomplished author, he is passionate about helping travellers from around the globe experience the best that Australia and New Zealand has to offer. Simon joined Travvia as its Group CEO in July 2025.

  • Kate Drew

    Head of People & Culture

    Kate is a strategic people leader with over two decades of experience helping organisations build cultures where people genuinely thrive. A graduate of Harvard Business School and the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she has previously served as Chief People Officer across technology-sector businesses, earning recognition for championing diversity and inclusion and driving workplaces to achieve Great Place to Work certification. Kate is a recognised thought leader in people analytics, named among LeadersHum's Top 45 global people analytics experts. She joined Travvia in 2025, bringing her passion for purposeful culture-building to a business she believes in: one where the spirit of adventure isn't just what the brands sell, but how the team shows up every day.

  • Brendan McKenna

    Chief Operations Officer (COO)

    Brendan joined Travvia in 2018 and has been the driving force behind making sure everything runs smoothly—from the vehicles to the branches. Though he initially studied accountancy, Brendan soon realised his passion was in tourism, launching a 28-year career across hotels, resorts, casinos, and tour businesses. With a master’s degree from Griffith University, he’s a firm believer in Kaizen, constantly seeking ways to improve. Brendan’s passion for exploring Australia and New Zealand’s exceptional landscapes drives him to share those experiences with the world.

  • Norbert Borjarski

    Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

    Norbert joined Travvia in April 2024 as the Group's head of financial matters, bringing a wealth of experience across multiple industries. With a strong background in finance, technology, and governance, he has held key roles such as CFO of Fliway Group and Executive General Manager of Investments & Ventures at NZ Post, particularly in the Transport & Logistics sector. His career also spans telecommunications and financial services. Born in Poland, Norbert has spent most of his life in New Zealand or exploring the world through travel. Outside of work, he is passionate about music and enjoys outdoor adventures, always seeking new ways to stay active and connect with nature. Norbert’s diverse expertise and love for exploration align perfectly with Travvia's mission to inspire discovery and adventure.

  • Jane Sullivan

    Global Head of Marketing

    Jane is a passionate storyteller and results-driven marketing leader with more than 25 years of experience across media, strategy and brand. She joined Travvia in 2025, bringing with her a formidable track record from her time as Founding Managing Director of Wavemaker Brisbane, where she built the agency from a single client into one of the top five in the market. With deep expertise spanning integrated marketing, digital strategy and media planning, Jane has worked with some of Australia's most iconic brands, and knows how to turn insight into campaigns that move people. At Travvia, she leads the global marketing team across JUCY and Star RV, driven by a lifelong love of travel and a conviction that what the brands offer is far more than vehicle hire, it's the freedom to explore.

  • Shafraz Hameed

    Chief Revenue Officer (CRO)

    Shafraz brings over 22 years of travel industry expertise to Travvia, with a career shaped by a deep passion for commercial growth, revenue strategy, and the mechanics of how the travel ecosystem truly works. His journey spans some of the industry's most dynamic organisations, from analytical and pricing roles at Virgin Australia, where he progressed through global channel development and product strategy, to leading Air, distribution, yield management and outsourcing at Ignite Travel Group. Along the way, he has built a rare combination of strategic insight and hands-on commercial experience that few bring to the table. As Chief Revenue Officer at Travvia, he brings that expertise to bear across JUCY and Star RV, focused on unlocking new growth and ensuring more travellers find their way to the open road. Shafraz joined Travvia in 2026.

  • Shaun Veldman

    Head of Technology

    Shaun joined Travvia in 2023 and has been on a mission ever since to build a technology environment that is as reliable and resilient as the landscapes Travvia's customers come to explore. With a background spanning enterprise IT, service delivery and infrastructure across a range of industries, including hospitality and manufacturing. Shaun brings a clear-eyed approach to modernising the group's systems and networks across 10 locations in Australia and New Zealand. He is passionate about creating a stable digital foundation that supports exceptional customer experiences, from the moment a booking is made to the moment a traveller hits the open road. When the technology runs seamlessly in the background, adventurers can focus on the journey ahead.

  • Nathan Reynolds

    Head of Assets

    As the Head of Assets at Travvia, Nathan leads a dynamic portfolio of responsibilities, including fleet optimization, risk management, business strategy, and financial modelling. His role is centred on crafting and executing the strategic business plan for the lifecycle management of Travvia's assets. In addition, I oversee group procurement strategies, vendor performance, and negotiations, while also shaping a comprehensive asset disposal and maintenance strategy. His focus is on streamlining operations and creating robust processes and policies within the assets domain to drive sustainable growth and success.