President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Chairman, Dubai Airports
Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group

HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum embarked on his career in the aviation industry in 1985 when he was appointed President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) – the governing body that oversaw the activities of Dubai International and Dubai Duty Free, among others.

In the same year Emirates Airline – Dubai’s international carrier was launched with Sheikh Ahmed as its Chairman. He is now the Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

Following a restructuring of the DCA in 2007, Sheikh Ahmed became the President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports, owner and operator of Dubai International and the under-construction Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International.

Under his leadership, Emirates has grown from being a regional airline to an acclaimed international airline with a fleet of more than 100 aircraft. Sheikh Ahmed is also Chairman of the fledgling carrier flydubai, another success story is already in the making.

He sits on the board of many other councils and governing bodies in Dubai and is patron to many charitable organizations. He is also the recipient of several prestigious honorary awards including the French Legion d’Honneur. 

• Read more about HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum

Joint Chief Executive of the Chalhoub Group

Anthony Chalhoub is currently joint Chief Executive Officer of the Chalhoub Group and General Manager of four luxury brand distribution companies in the region: Habchi & Chalhoub, the Louis Vuitton joint venture, MAC and Fitra.
It was in 1975 that Anthony joined the Group founded and managed by his father, immersing himself in business life by moving to Kuwait where his parents had already been working for several years developing Franco-Kuwaiti relations. He worked hard to promote and gain acceptance from the prominent names in perfumes, high fashion and jewelry.
Mindful of maintaining the image of the brands that placed their trust in him and to keep France's high profile in the Middle East; he has performed all his functions as Overseas Trade Counselor starting in 1991 and took an active part in the "France in Kuwait" exhibitions of 1991, 1994, 1996 and 2004.

• Read more about Anthony Chalhoub

General Manager Cadbury International Travel Retail

Steve Brock joined Cadbury International Travel Retail as General Manager in December 2003, responsible for sales and brand development in the global travel retail channel, global P&L as well as the management and development of the global team.

Responding to the dynamic growth of confectionery in the channel, Steve is driving Cadbury forward within travel retail. With a new team in place and a revised internal structure, the initial focus is the CITR product portfolio.

Steve first joined Cadbury in April 2002. His previous roles include global and regional marketing management roles for Pernod Ricard TR and Nestle.  With the successful launch of a multitude of new products Steve’s experience and expertise in accurately assessing the channel and developing and installing new products and brands sees him well placed in his role heading up travel retail at Cadbury. This background is particularly fitting giving Cadbury’s focus on innovation as the fastest means for category growth within the channel.

In his career, Steve has amassed almost fifteen years experience within retail in both the international domestic arena and travel markets and has an excellent understanding and knowledge of global markets.

Vice President non-aeronautical revenues
Abu Dhabi Airport Company

Dan Cappell has experience on both sides of the table having spent 22 years with Nestle SA the last ten as General Manager of Nestle International Travel Retail before moving to the Middle East in 2002 as Deputy Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Duty Free & Inflight catering.
Dan joined Aer Rianta International Middle East in June 2006 as General Manager Operations and was responsible for Group procurement, commercial strategy and development across the region. Dan returned to Abu Dhabi Duty Free as General Manager in November 2007 and has since been appointed Abu Dhabi Airports Company’s VP non-aeronautical revenues. Dan cites playing golf badly, cooking and reading as his main forms of relaxation.

CEO Inspired Leaders Network

René Carayol specialises in leadership and culture, drawing from his experiences as a senior executive and board member of some of the biggest British and American organisations; from Pepsi (UK) and Marks & Spencer to IPC Media and the Inland Revenue.  He is the best selling author of the leadership and culture bible, “Corporate Voodoo”, a regular television and radio broadcaster for the BBC and a Visiting Professor at Cass Business School.  In 2004 he was awarded an MBE for outstanding service to the business community.
 
René is now CEO of the Inspired Leaders Network, with operations in London, Belfast and Johannesburg. He has provided leadership support to the likes of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, the Home Office and McKinsey and Co. and has worked closely with some of the world’s greatest leaders; from former US President Bill Clinton and the last Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan and former US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

COO, Aldeasa Spain

Pedro was born in Las Palmas, Canary Islands (Spain) in 1967.
Professionally he began his career with ICEX in the Spanish Foreign Trade office at the Spanish Embassy in Santiago de Chile, where he was later appointed Market Analyst. He joined Aldeasa 1998 as General Manager for Chile, becoming Managing Director for Canariensis (Aldeasa JV at the Canary Islands) in 2000. In 2003 he was named CEO of Aldeasa Jordan and development director for the Middle Eastern region taking care of the Kuwait operation. In December 2006 he was appointed to his current position as Operations Director of all Aldeasa operations in Spain’s 22 airports. Former member of MEDFA board of directors between 2003 and 2006 and sits on the Canariensis board.

He studied in the German School at Las Palmas and graduated from the Complutense University in Madrid in 1991, with a degree in Administration and Political Science specializing in Foreign Affairs. He obtained a Masters degree in International Relations at the Spanish Diplomatic School in Madrid and then specialized in Foreign Trade through several courses with the Chamber of Commerce, Junta de Andalucía and finally ICEX, Spain’s  foreign trade institution.

Director - IT and Logistics, Dubai Duty Free

Ramesh Cidambi is responsible for the Information Technology and Logistics functions at Dubai Duty Free. He started the I.T. function in DDF in 1987 and has been heading it ever since. He was promoted to his current position of Director – I.T. and Logistics in January 2004, during which time he was also given responsibility for the Logistics function.

He has helped implement various new systems and has implemented new technologies at the Point of Sale and other areas of the business. He was involved in the design and construction of the new automated Distribution Centre and Head Office building that opened on June 1st, 2008, and in the implementation of a suite of applications from Oracle Retail to coincide with the opening.

Mr. Cidambi was also involved in the design and construction of the retail areas in Terminal 3 and Concourse 2 that opened in October 2008, and the on-going improvements to the retail areas in Terminals 1 and 2. He is now involved with developing the retail offer in Concourse 3 opening in 2012 and the new Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali.

News broadcaster, Al Jazeera International

In 2006 Stephen joins the global news service, Al-Jazeera International. He anchors the evening output, beamed around the world from London.
Stephen built his reputation as a presenter of news and current affairs with BBC World Television. He has covered almost every major news event in the last ten years, and is a well known face in China, Asia and many parts of the Middle East.
He also hosted Technofile on News 24, and Click Online - BBC World’s current affairs magazine for the online revolution.
Stephen moved to the BBC after 5 years as an anchor and phone-in host on Sky News. He was originally with CNN in Atlanta.
Stephen Cole has extensive corporate experience, including BA, Philips and Renault. He is a keen sportsman and speaks French and German.

Dolby Consulting

Nigel Dolby provides a unique and innovative approach to maximising Commercial Revenues within the Airport Industry and has a proven track record of increasing revenues and profitability for Airports, Airlines, Brand Owners, Retailers and Restaurateurs across the world.

Since forming his Company in 2004 Nigel has conducted commercial and research projects at 36 global airports, including some of the world’s largest and most prestigious airports.
Nigel’s services have also been commissioned by a number of Airlines, Retailers, Duty Free Company’s, Restaurateurs and Brand owners – all with the implicit objective of increasing their commercial profitability and performance.   

Nigel’s projects and research have now established him as one of the leading figures in relation to commercial optimisation and with data from in excess of 1.5 million airport customers he is widely recognised as having the most extensive research and data bank in the industry.
Nigel is also sought after to provide insight, research and analysis for industry organisations such as ACI, IATA, The UK Civil Aviation Authority, The Moodie Report and Duty Free News International.  
He is a regular columnist for The Moodie Report and guest speaker at several industry conferences.

Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Airports

Paul Griffiths is Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Airports, with the responsibility for the operation and development of Dubai International as well as the upcoming Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International, which will be the world’s largest airport with a capacity to handle 120 million passengers annually.

Prior to moving to Dubai in October 2007, Paul was Managing Director of London’s Gatwick Airport, the second largest airport in the UK and the 6th largest international airport in the world.

Before joining airport operator BAA in 2004, he spent 14 years with the Virgin Group, working closely with Sir Richard Branson as a Board Director of the Virgin Travel Group, embracing the commercial activities of both Virgin Atlantic Airways and Virgin Trains. Prior to this, in the 1980s, he spent four years in Hong Kong developing the marketing, commercial planning and technology functions for the then start-up airline Dragonair.

Paul’s career in transportation arose out of the strict advice of his father not to pursue his passion for music. Paul has managed to combine a high profile career with a schedule of concert and recital engagements and has made many public appearances as a recitalist, continuo player and soloist in concerti with major orchestras.

He started to learn to play the organ at the age of 10 and later studied both music and computer science. Having aspired to train as a Cathedral Organist, he was highly placed in several national competitions and worked his way through a series of professional qualifications to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists. He has since become a Council member, Chairman of the Executive Committee and a Vice President of the Royal College.
 
Paul is married to Joanna (also a concert organist and composer) and has three children between the ages of 4 and 17.

Chief Executive Officer – Tourvest Duty Free

Selwyn Grimsley has spent eighteen years in customer facing businesses in Europe and Africa, both in the service retail and consumer leisure segments.

He joined Tourvest Duty Free in August 2007, following financial, commercial, operations and general management roles in businesses as diverse as Unilever, Hertz and Ster Kinekor, market leaders in filmed entertainment in Southern Africa. 

His vision is to globalise the business by gaining recognition within the industry that TDF provides the most dynamic solution in in - flight retailing to maximize revenue and returns to customers.

Director Europe - Global Travel Retail, Rémy Cointreau

Matthew joined Rémy Cointreau as Director Europe – Global Travel Retail early 2009. He has 10 years of consumer goods experience, including 5 years as Strategy Director of Diageo’s Global Travel Retail business where he was responsible for all consumer research in the Travel Retail channel, developing partnerships with key customers and devising worldwide pricing strategy. During his time with Diageo, he gained extensive experience in helping retailers re-develop duty free stores in Asia. He also gained a solid commercial understanding of Travel Retail as Diageo’s Account Director for World Duty Free and developed wide knowledge of consumer behavior in Travel Retail thanks to in-depth involvement in the commissioning and analysis of airport research.
 
Prior to joining Diageo, Matthew has 5 years of strategy consulting experience from 2 top tier firms based in London, leading engagements in the travel sector, FMCG and in private equity. Clients included Cadbury Schweppes, British Airways, Boots Healthcare, Prudential, and private equity funds active in the travel sector. Matthew has worked with airport retailers all over the world and has an extensive knowledge of all the major product sectors. He has particular knowledge of how consumers behave and the impact of concession/ownership structures on the retail experience.

Matthew has an MBA from London Business School and a first-class degree in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College, London. 

Managing Director, Global Travel and Middle East, Diageo

Phil Humphreys took up the position as Managing Director, Global Travel and Middle East (GTME) in July 2008. He is a member of Diageo's International Executive and reports to Stuart Fletcher, President of Diageo International. GTME is the 5th largest business unit within Diageo, and the biggest for Johnnie Walker which now contributes over £1 billion sales to Diageo.

Phil has been with Diageo for just over 4 years, joining first as Global Sales Director working for Ron Anderson, and then moving to the role of European Commercial Director and a member of Andrew Morgan's European Exec.
 
He has been in the FMCG industry all his working life and has a wealth of international experience across all channels.  Before joining Diageo, he spent over a decade with Nestlé in various international sales and marketing roles, based in a multitude of countries.

Phil is 40 years old, married to Jo and lives in Hampshire, UK. He is a passionate cook, a big rugby and football fan and his favourite Diageo drink is Johnnie Walker Black Label on the rocks!

Vice President Qatar Duty Free and Qatar Airways In Flight Duty Free

Mr Keith Hunter joined Qatar Airways in October 2008 as the Vice President of their Duty Free business in the Doha International Airport. Keith is also responsible for the onboard Duty Free business of Qatar Airways, one of the fastest growing airlines and operating one of the youngest fleets in the world.
Currently with a growing fleet of over 70 aircrafts and with more than 220 aircrafts on order worth US$ 40 billion, Qatar Airways flies to over destinations worldwide and has been awarded the Five Star rating for five years in succession. It has also been ranked the 4th best airline in the world. Qatar Duty Free is a subsidiary company of Qatar Airways and operates in the Arrivals, Departures, VIP and Premium Terminal of Doha International Airport. With over 2000 sq m. of Retail space allocated to its operations, Qatar Duty Free is fast emerging as a major player in the region.
Keith is already working intensively on the Design and Layout plans of the New Doha International Airport, a US$ 14.5 Billion project scheduled to open its doors in 2012. It will incorporate a total of 80 contact gates, including 25,000 square metres devoted to retail space, comfortable lounges, and multi-story short-term and long-term parking facilities.

• Read more about Keith Hunter

CEO, Sharaf DG

Beginning the career as a Scientist with the qualities of an entrepreneur, his vision and dynamism have been the guiding force not only in building Sharaf DG from the grass root level but also making it a name to reckon with in the entire Middle East. Mr. Nilesh Khalkho, an Electronics Engineer with a Management Degree from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta has over 18 years of experience and expertise in diverse industries ranging from Defence Research to Telecom, IT and ITES.

An avid reader and a lifelong learner, his hunger for success and innovation led to the birth of the ‘big box’ concept of retailing in Dubai, UAE. Being a dynamic team leader he has a passion for sharing his thoughts and driving values within his team.

These unique qualities have led him to bring a paradigm shift in the business of servicing people in an exemplary manner.

In his pursuit for excellence in retailing, he introduced an innovative MSL Business Model for effective stock replenishment within Sharaf DG. A few of his many achievements have been in multi channel product distribution, designing effective business processes, creating winning business plans and developing new businesses. Turning concepts into reality is a challenge he likes to take head on. He truly believes that in a knowledge economy all aspects of business can be replicated except the alchemy of successful teams. His extensive experience, knowledge and the never say die attitude has influenced the entire Sharaf DG family to work towards making their stores a place for more than just Electronics. At Sharaf DG, they believe in CARE – Customers Are Really Everything!!

Commercial Director, Dufry (Middle East and India)

Atef Khomassi, 43, was appointed to his current position in September 2009.
Prior to this, he spent seven years as General Manager of Dufry Cambodia.  He was promoted to this position in 2002 to set up operations in the Kingdom of Cambodia, during which timehe was able to transform Dufry Cambodia into a profitable operation. He credits much of these efforts to the hard work and positive attitude of his team there which was instrumental in Dufry’s success there.
His key responsibilities within Dufry today include monitoring and analyzing the stability of Supply and Demand, Category Management and Marketing Activities as well as ensuring that commercial techniques are efficient and profitable.
Atef has been with Dufry for 19 years. He speaks Arabic, English, French and Cambodian Khmer.

Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication Worldwide Duty Free in JTI.

JTI – Japan Tobacco International - is a subsidiary of Japan Tobacco, Inc. (JT), the world’s third largest international manufacturer of tobacco products. Mr. LLairó joined JT International in 1998, developing a career in a number of different regional and global positions in Finance, Sales and Corporate Affairs, including the General Management of Andorra market. He has extensive expertise both in tobacco and travel retail industry, being the main spokesperson for WWDF organization in JTI. He is of Spanish nationality and has done ESADE Business Administration studies and General Management Program with IESE Barcelona.

Managing Director, Dubai Duty Free 

Irishman Colm McLoughlin began his retail career with Woolworths, a well-known chain of UK department stores, in London in the early 1960's. Returning to Ireland in 1969, he joined Shannon Airport duty free and went on to become General Manager.

In 1983 he was a member of the consultancy team from AerRianta International contracted to launch the new duty free operation at Dubai International Airport.  He remained in Dubai Duty Free as General Manager of the new operation, later becoming Managing Director. Colm has been the driving force behind the success of Dubai Duty Free, which is now the No. 1 single duty free operation in the world with a turnover of US$1.1 billion in 2008.

A recipient of several personal awards, Colm is only the second person after Dr. Brendan O’ Regan, the founding father of the duty free industry, to receive a Frontier ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, which was presented in Cannes in 2004.
More recently, Colm was named ‘Buisnessman of the Year’ in the Middle East Business Achievement Awards held in Dubai in October 2009.

General Manager, Traveller LTD.

Rami Madi joined the Chalhoub Group 10 years ago as Division Manager-Perfumes. Rami brought with him 8 years of experience in the perfume industry in the Middle East region. Rami then moved to the watches, accessories and pens division within the Chalhoub Group managing the local market and duty free shop accounts in the Middle East. 3 years ago Rami was given an assignment and challenging position as General Manager for Traveller LTD, the Chalhoub Group’s specialized airline inflight duty free company adding his 15 years of experience in luxury brands to the inflight duty free sector with airlines across the Middle East region.

Secretary General, ETRC

Keith Spinks became Secretary General of the European Travel Retail Council when it was established in July 2004, having been Director General of its predecessor, the International Travel Retail Confederation, since 2000. Prior to this Spinks held a number of senior positions with a major international tobacco company, including 12 years as Public Affairs Director for its international duty free division. During this period he was closely associated with the industry’s campaigns to preserve intra-EU duty free sales in 1992 and 1999. Spinks brings a wealth of experience in representing the duty free industry in political circles, both within Europe and internationally.

Managing Director Aer Rianta International Middle East

John Sutcliffe became Managing Director Aer Rianta International Middle East, when it was established in 1993, and has grown the company into an $850 million business in 2009, expanding it geographically across the Middle East. The company now operates 11 business units across 8 countries.
As well as heading up ARI-ME, John is also Managing Director, Bahrain International Retail Development Company (BIRD), Chairman of Cyprus Airports F&B, Director of CTC/ARI Airports (Cyprus Duty Free) and Director at both Beirut Duty Free and Muscat Duty Free.
Before setting up ARI-ME, he was Deputy General Manager of Dubai Duty Free and General Manager of Moscow Duty Free.
John was also the first President of MEDFA. He has spoken at a number of conferences including ACI events, the Trinity Forum and TFWA Asia Pacific.

Chairman, IDFS Tradings (India)

Deepak founded IDFS Tradings (P) Ltd in 2000 to give a new dimension to in-flight duty free shopping. The Company is engaged in In-flight Airline Retail, Warehousing & Logistics, Airline Amenities and Airport Duty Free. The Company’s pan-India infrastructure provides its partners a real time cost-effective and secure solution for their warehousing and distribution requirements.
 
IDFS has a Joint Venture with Aer Rianta International. Together they won the concession for duty free shopping in the new terminal in Delhi International Airport.

Deepak has been instrumental in forging a JV with SSP-the international catering group. SSP Catering India Pvt. Ltd won both Food & Beverage concessions at the Delhi International Airport where operations commenced in June 2008; their Hyderabad operations will commence shortly and in T 3 in Delhi in 2010.

A franchisee agreement with WH Smith PLC, one of the UK’s leading retail groups has been finalized and the first set of stores will open at Delhi’s new terminal in 2010.

Deepak is also involved in a number of other travel related ventures. Track India Pvt. Ltd is one of the select companies to have rights from major international airlines for undertaking international airlines’ key business functions in India.

• Read more about Deepak Talwar

Marketing and Merchandising Director, International Duty free Shops

Revic Catalina R. Tantoco was appointed Marketing and Merchandising Director for International Duty free Shops in Morocco in June 2008. Although new to the duty free and travel retail industry she has been in retailing since 1999 and has gained a firm understanding of luxury retailing over her ten year career.

Revic started her career as Business Development Manager for a luxury department store in the Philippines where she was responsible for introducing and developing brands such as Aerosoles, Liz Claiborne, French Connection, Sinequanone and Lesportsac into the local market. She was then appointed as Division Manager where she oversaw all ladies fashion operations. She also directed the division’s strategic marketing department and was responsible for procurement, merchandising and corporate branding.

In her new role at IDFS Morocco, as well as luxury goods Revic is now involved with categories such as tobacco, wines & spirits, confectionery and hopes to develop the group’s potential and presence in the region. Revic holds a Diploma in Strategic Marketing and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics.

Deputy Publisher, The Moodie Report

Dermot Davitt is an experienced editor and commentator working in the travel retail media. He joined The Moodie Report in April 2006 as Deputy Publisher and Editor of the company's Digital Print Division. Previously he spent 10 years with trade magazine Duty-Free News International, six of those years as Editor-in-Chief. He is based in Galway, Ireland

Consultant, Airport Commerce & Talent Management

Susan has 13 years of experience in the airports industry. As a marketing and communications consultant specialising in the airports and travel retail sectors, Susan is currently working for Airport Commerce & Talent Management(ACTM), an independent firm of airport consultants, trainers and interim managers specialising in airport development, management and planning. ACTM works with in-house teams to optimise revenue for the airport operator from all non-aviation activities. ACTM is currently working for GMR Group, one of India’s biggest and fastest growing infrastructure firms and the developer and operator of Delhi and Hyderabad airports.

Susan previously spent six years with leading travel food and beverage concessionaire SSP in a variety of global communications, marketing, branding and business development roles. In her most recent role as International Communications Director within the Corporate team she was responsible for corporate communications for the Group, as well as the international stakeholder communications strategy, including the corporate client relations strategy (airports).

Previously, Susan was the Deputy Editor of leading travel retail trade publication The Duty Free Business (now Travel Retail Business) and Editor of the annual Airport Book.

Doug Newhouse is the founding Editorial Director of The Travel Retail Business, the industry's monthly trade magazine serving the duty free and travel retail industry. He is also the Editor of the daily travel retail internet news service www.trend-news.com - a joint venture between "The Business" and the industry's global analysts, Generation Databank. He contributed to numerous publications and film media, and spoken at many industry conferences over the years.