Bankole Bernard
Bankole Bernard was born on 16th July in Lagos, Nigeria. He is a travel consultant and president of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA).
Education
He attended Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos (1989-1990) and University of Lagos, Akoka (1992-1998) where he graduated with a degree in Economics.
Career
He worked in the banking industry for eight (8) years in various reputable banks such as EcoBank, Metropolitan Bank and left in 2006 as a Branch Manager for First Atlantic Bank(FinBank).
Bankole Bernard is the founder and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Finchglow Travels Limited/FCm Nigeria. He with the support of other directors founded the company in 2006 after leaving behind his banking career.
His company Finchglow Travels is named in the top 3 amongst AbOUT 1500 registered travel agencies/travel management companies in Nigeria with sales volume of 10 billion naira annually.He is also the Chairman of Travelden Nigeria Limited, an online Travel portal and Southoak Aviation Services, Lagos Aviation Academy, Finchglow Holidays and Prysm Investments.
Bankole have an established relationships with both local and international airlines that operates in Nigeria, having been able to creatively carve a niche in what appeared to be an already saturated industry. He served as the Financial Secretary of National Association for Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA) from 2010 till 2014. He was appointed as National President of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) 2016.
Achievement
Bankole Bernard was able to secure an exclusive franchise of a global Travel Management Company, FCm Travel Solutions, based in Australia with presence in 93 countries across continents. FCM is one of the top five TMCs in the world
As president of National Associations of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), he partners with International Air Transport Association(IATA) and with Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation [NTDC] under the present leadership of The Director General, Folorunsho Coker. He has also been able to establish partnerships with companies in the Middle East, Europe, USA and most parts of Africa.
Professional Membership
He is also a member of the highest ruling body in the travel business, Airline and Passenger joint committee (APJC) and also the Treasurer of SKAL International Lagos.
Awards
He has received numerous awards, notably among which are:
Emirates Airways gold certificate award to Finchglow Travel Ltd. for outstanding contribution during 2010-2011
2017 Balearica Awards to Bankole Bernard as Travel Personality of the year for travel and domestic tourism in the last 10 months.
Qatar Airways gold certificate award to Finchglow Travel Ltd. for outstanding contribution during 2010-2011
Virgin Atlantic Country Manager’s award for outstanding performance for year 2011/2012
South African Airways platinum award in recognition of Finchglow Travel’s outstanding performance in 2012
South African Airways platinum award in recognition of Finchglow Travel’s outstanding performance in 2013
South African Airways platinum award in recognition of Finchglow Travel’s outstanding performance in 2014
South African Airways platinum award in recognition of Finchglow Travel’s outstanding performance in 2015
Lufthansa top agent award for 2012 to Finchglow travels
Etihad certificate of appreciation to Finchglow Travels Ltd. for outstanding performance during the launch of Etihad airways in Nigeria
Delta Airline diamond award to Finchglow Travels Ltd. for outstanding sales performance from January-March 2013
Virgin Atlantic platinum achievement award in recognition of outstanding performance in 2013
Ethiopian Airline agency award to Finchglow Travels Ltd. in recognition of contribution and support to Ethiopian Airline in 2013
Arik Air excellence award to Finchglow Travels Ltd. as one of the top 3 travel agents in 2013
Asky silver agency award to Finchglow Travels Ltd. in recognition of outstanding performance in 2013-2014
Airfrance/KLM Swagga competition award to Finchglow Travels Ltd. in recognition of our achievement as having the 3rd highest revenue growth in 2013 IATA year
Personal life
Married with children