RICHARD EDEN: Now Prince Harry’s head of ‘green tourism’ venture Travalyst jumps ship just a year and a half after taking up role
When she was appointed first chairman of Travalyst, the Duke of Sussex’s ‘eco company’, India’s Gary-Martin said it was ‘really exciting’.
Unfortunately, working for Prince Harry seems to have lost the thrill for the businesswoman very quickly.
I hear that she resigned from her position as chairman after only a year and a half.
“Frankly, that’s not a surprise,” says an observer of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s business dealings, which has seen at least 19 senior staff members leave.
Harry founded Travalyst in 2019 to make tourism more environmentally friendly. However, he and Meghan soon faced accusations of hypocrisy over their use of gas-guzzling private jets. That year, the couple reportedly took four trips on private jets in a span of eleven days.
King Charles’ youngest son defended himself at the time by saying that ‘no one is perfect’ and that ‘balance’ is important.
Travalyst confirms that Ms Gary-Martin left her position before Christmas.
The company is keen to downplay her departure, claiming she has stepped down to focus on her own business, Leadership For Execs, where she works with organizations on leadership development, diversity, equality and inclusion.
I hear Prince Harry has lost the first chairman of his eco company Travalyst
India Gary-Martin had said it was ‘very exciting’ to be appointed to the role at the Duke of Sussex’s company, but working for Harry appears to have lost its excitement very quickly
Harry founded Travalyst in 2019 to make tourism more environmentally friendly, but he and Meghan quickly faced accusations of hypocrisy over their use of gas-guzzling private jets.
Former Google executive Gianni Marostic has been appointed as her successor, while Travalyst’s CEO, Sarah Davey, called him a “change maker.”
When Ms. Gary-Martin was appointed Chairman, she said it was “very exciting to announce that I have accepted the role as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Travalyst… Being able to ensure that people of color are at the heart of it.” in conversations about sustainability in spaces we traditionally do not occupy is both a responsibility and an honor.”
Harry and Meghan have lost so many senior staff since their wedding in 2018 that former employees reportedly describe themselves as part of the ‘Sussex Survivors Club’.
Last summer I announced that Josh Kettler had suddenly quit his job as Harry’s chief of staff after just three months.
A former staff member said to me at the time, “What is perhaps most telling is that in the entire time I worked there, I don’t think I heard a single current or former member of their staff say they would take the job again.” if given the chance.
“These are not employees they just found off the street. Many of them are people who previously excelled under demanding bosses in high-performing companies and environments.”