Dufry’s Nigel Keal elected as new ETRC President

EUROPE. Nigel Keal was elected as the new President of the European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC) at the group’s AGM in London today (4 July).

Keal, who is Global Commercial Director for Dufry, has been on the ETRC’s Managing Board since 2017 and will bring a global perspective of the travel retail industry to his role at the head of the regional industry body.

Keal: “ETRC is a vital strategic organisation that is essential to ensure we overcome our many challenges.”

Keal said: “I am delighted to have been elected President of ETRC and humbled by the trust ETRC members have shown. Representing this industry at the highest level is a privilege. ETRC is a vital strategic organisation that is essential to ensure we overcome our many challenges. The breadth and scale of the work currently being undertaken by ETRC is remarkable. We are actively engaging the EU and key European countries on a number of campaigns, particularly on Brexit ahead of negotiations on the future EU-UK relationship.”

Duty Free World Council (DFWC) President Frank O’Connell, who has also been President of the ETRC for the last year, added: “As a former President of ETRC over many years I know how important it is for the travel retail industry working together towards common goals. This past year has seen a number of challenges arise for the travel retail industry, particularly in relation to Brexit. ETRC is committed to tackling these challenges, and to provide some clarity for our members and for the industry at large. Nigel has the experience and knowhow to continue driving these issues as the new President of ETRC.”

Keal added: “I would like to sincerely pay tribute to my predecessors, especially Frank, who has given much of his career to ETRC and its forerunners. Frank has been a true industry stalwart, a man who has given so much for so long. I am pleased he agreed to stay on the Managing Board of ETRC for another six months to facilitate a smooth transition.”

The new ETRC Managing Board is as follows:

  • Dufry Global Commercial Director Nigel Keal
  • UKTRF Chair François Bourienne
  • Gebr Heinemann Director of Corporate Affairs & Compliance Jennifer Cords
  • TFWA President Alain Maingreaud
  • IDFA Chair Frank O’Connell
  • BTRA President Jacques Parson
  • NTRG Chair Eva Rehnström

The AGM also saw ETRC members come together to discuss key challenges and opportunities for the travel retail industry, showing the work the ETRC is doing on the likes of labelling and consumer information, Brexit and category-specific challenges.

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