The Guild of Travel Management Companies has announced First Great Western has become the latest GTMC partner.

First Great Western has one of the largest and most complex rail networks in the UK, carrying one and a half million passengers every week on 9,000 services, and calling at 276 stations.

It is the only UK rail company to operate a High Speed Inter-city, commuter, regional and sleeper services.

First Great Western also operates direct to Gatwick Airport and, as part of the Heathrow Connect operation, to the heart of Heathrow Airport.

GTMC chief executive Anne Godfrey said: “First Great Western has developed a business travel product and covers many routes popular with the corporate traveller and we are delighted that it wants to put the company in front of GTMC members.

“By becoming a GTMC partner First Great Western will be given access to a very powerful group of travel management companies with formidable buying power.”

First Great Western’s representatives will be able to participate in the full calendar of GTMC events, including attendance at the prestigious GTMC overseas conference being held in Doha in May 2012, with additional opportunities to present their service to GTMC members including at the ground transportation working party meetings.

First Great Western’s head of sales and marketing Diane Burke said: “First Great Western is delighted to partner with the GTMC and build on our existing strong links with corporate clients.

“We have seen a rise in the popularity of our corporate travel products, and this relationship will allow us to continue to develop and enhance our range of corporate services.”