490 Consulting announced the addition of Kurt Knackstedt as managing director. The move, according to the announcement, “expands the firm’s global capabilities as it helps travel and payment companies accelerate growth, transform their businesses and capitalize on new market opportunities.” 490 Consulting, according to the announcement, is a global strategic advisory firm for the travel and payment industries.

Knackstedt, said the announcement, brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across travel, B2B payments, fintech, technology, procurement and commercial strategy. Based in Sydney, he will work with 490 clients globally while further expanding the firm’s presence and capabilities across Asia-Pacific.

Greeley Koch, founder and managing partner of 490 Consulting, said, “490 has always been about helping clients turn change into opportunity.” The company’s clients, he said, “are navigating new technologies, AI, changing distribution models, evolving customer expectations and new opportunities for growth.” Knackstedt, he said, “significantly expands the expertise we can bring to those challenges, particularly across payments, technology, commercialization and business transformation.”

Knackstedt, according to the announcement, has built, led and transformed businesses across both global organizations and entrepreneurial ventures. He served as chief executive of HRS Pay and previously co-founded and served as CEO of Troovo, a B2B payment automation company that was acquired by Voxel Group in 2021. His earlier experience includes Rio Tinto, American Express and Travelport.

Knackstedt is also a strategic advisor for several start-ups within the payments, loyalty and e-commerce sectors. “Travel and payments are going through a period of significant change, driven by AI, new technologies, evolving business models and changing customer expectations,” said Knackstedt. He continued: “That creates tremendous opportunity for companies willing to rethink how they grow and compete. What attracted me to 490 is the combination of strategic thinking and practical execution, and I’m excited about what we can deliver together and the additional expertise we can bring into 490 over time.”

Koch and Knackstedt previously worked together through the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), where Koch served as executive director and Knackstedt served eight years on the global board, including four years as global president.