UK. The UK Travel Retail Forum (UKTRF), the country’s leading trade association for the travel retail industry, today elected AGS Airports Chief Commercial Officer and BAA Glasgow Airport Commercial Director Francois Bourienne as Chair.
Bourienne takes over from outgoing chair Sarah Branquinho (Dufry External Affairs Director) who served the organisation in the same role for over 13 years.
Dufry UK Head of Distribution & Center Parcs Martyn Scarf (Nuance) was elected as Vice-Chair.
Bourienne said: “I am honoured to be elected Chair of UKTRF and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to Sarah Branquinho for all her years of service. Our industry is at a crossroads as we approach the Brexit deadline and the opportunity to see duty free sales return to the United Kingdom to EU destinations.
“We will continue to strengthen our relationships with government and industry partners as we represent the interests of our members at this exciting time.”
Ms Branquinho who has been co-opted onto the board as a non-executive board member said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to serve UKTRF and members of the travel retail industry as Chair for the past 13 years. I have worked with such a wonderful group of people to ensure that the duty free and travel retail industry is best protected from regulatory challenges faced by the sector.
“I will continue to support UKTRF on matters such as the return of duty free post-Brexit and look forward to the future challenges ahead.’
The Board thanked Dr Jennifer Cords (Imperial Tobacco’s departing Head of Corporate Affairs and Compliance) who leaves the Board and welcomes Nigel Keal (Dufry Group Procurement Director) as a new Director.
Moodie Davitt comment: Sarah Branquinho has done an outstanding job for the UK travel retail sector, just one of her numerous industry-serving voluntary roles.
Her hallmark tenacity, drive and commitment have helped the UKTRF grow its membership base and flourish in influence terms, both politically and intra-industry. Having led the organisation through numerous challenges over the past 13 years, she has played a key role in paving the way for a likely return to UK duty free sales for EU-bound passengers. That she will remain an influence through her continued board presence will be reassuring to all those with an interest in the industry’s future.
Francois Bourienne brings many years of sector experience to the role of Chair.
He joined Glasgow Airport in 2010 as Commercial Director following four years with The Nuance Group (now part of Dufry). Before that he was a consultant with Accenture and Bain & Company, advising mainly FMCG and retail companies on strategy and was also involved in due diligence for private equity funds. That mixed background will serve him and the UKTRF well regarding the crucial post-Brexit challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
