Hi, I’m Varun Sharma. I’m a senior commercial partnerships and brand collaboration lead with a proven track record in structuring and delivering high-value partnerships across luxury, travel, and media. I translate brand objectives into commercially viable models, develop compelling proposals, and guide discussions from concept to agreement, aligning creative ambition with clear business outcomes. I’ve led editorial and production strategy for international media, built and scaled businesses through sponsorships, and created long-term partnerships with airlines, hotel groups, and luxury brands. My work spans founder-led brands, global editorial platforms, and multi-market collaborations, with a passion for storytelling that elevates brands while delivering measurable results.

Varun Sharma

Hi, I’m Varun Sharma. I’m a senior commercial partnerships and brand collaboration lead with a proven track record in structuring and delivering high-value partnerships across luxury, travel, and media. I translate brand objectives into commercially viable models, develop compelling proposals, and guide discussions from concept to agreement, aligning creative ambition with clear business outcomes. I’ve led editorial and production strategy for international media, built and scaled businesses through sponsorships, and created long-term partnerships with airlines, hotel groups, and luxury brands. My work spans founder-led brands, global editorial platforms, and multi-market collaborations, with a passion for storytelling that elevates brands while delivering measurable results.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Varun Sharma. I’m a senior commercial partnerships and brand collaboration lead with a proven track record in structuring and delivering high-value partnerships across luxury, travel, and media. I translate brand objectives into commercially viable models, develop compelling proposals, and guide discussions from concept to agreement, aligning creative ambition with clear business outcomes.

I’ve led editorial and production strategy for international media, built and scaled businesses through sponsorships, and created long-term partnerships with airlines, hotel groups, and luxury brands. My work spans founder-led brands, global editorial platforms, and multi-market collaborations, with a passion for storytelling that elevates brands while delivering measurable results.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Marketing & Media Consultant at Luxury Travel & Hospitality
July 1, 2024 - Present
Advise on structuring brand collaborations aligned with commercial and creative objectives; develop partnership proposals, scope definitions, and positioning frameworks; support cross-functional discussions; translate brand narratives into commercially viable content and partnership opportunities.
Editor-in-Chief & Marketing Lead at BusinessClass.com
November 1, 2019 - July 1, 2024
Led editorial and commercial collaboration strategy; developed and executed brand partnerships with global airlines, hotels, and travel brands; structured collaborations that combined editorial content, distribution, and commercial objectives; managed stakeholder relationships across markets; integrated content and commercial strategy to support audience growth and brand positioning.
Founder & Executive Producer at Inside Luxury Travel
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2015
Built and scaled a globally distributed television brand through commercial partnerships; negotiated partnerships with airlines, hotel groups, and luxury brands; developed integrated editorial and commercial models across broadcast and content; managed end-to-end delivery from concept through to execution.
Founder at Inside Luxury Travel Club
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2015
Created a membership-based platform converting audience into commercial partnerships; built partnerships with global brands to support acquisition and retention; developed commercial frameworks for brand participation and customer engagement; generated £1m+ annual revenue through partnership-led model; managed supplier and partner negotiations across international markets.
Editor-in-Chief at Ligne St Barth Spa & Travel Magazine
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2010
Led editorial strategy aligned with brand positioning; supported brand visibility through content and distribution partnerships.

Education

Graduate Traineeship at BBC School of Journalism
January 11, 2030 - May 5, 2026
Hostile Environment Training at BBC
January 11, 2030 - May 5, 2026
Deep Learning AI at Stanford University
January 1, 2023 - May 5, 2026
BSc Medicinal Biochemistry at University of Manchester
January 11, 2030 - May 5, 2026

Qualifications

Graduate Traineeship
January 11, 2030 - May 5, 2026
Hostile Environment Training
January 11, 2030 - May 5, 2026
Deep Learning AI
January 1, 2023 - May 5, 2026
BSc Medicinal Biochemistry
January 11, 2030 - May 5, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Professional Services, Other