UK. London Gatwick Airport has confirmed the appointment of Rachel Bulford as Head of Retail. As reported, she replaces Spencer Sheen, who has joined WH Smith as Business Development Director.
She will oversee the airport’s 82 shops and 36 restaurants, including Harrods, Ted Baker, Comptoir Libanais, Jamie’s Italian and Bruno Loubet’s Grain Store Café and Bar.
Bulford joins from consultancy firm OC&C Strategy Consultants. She has also worked within luxury fashion retailer Burberry’s retail operations team in emerging markets as well as in roles at Marks and Spencer and Homebase.
“Gatwick is a unique retailing proposition, needing to have blend of brands to cater for the variety of different needs among the airport’s 42 million passengers a year,” she said.
“For me, there is a heightened expectation with airport shopping and dining – plus the fact that our passengers have limited time before heading off on their holiday or business trip. [This means] that we have to create fantastic experiences which run like clockwork.
“I’m looking forward to enhancing and developing the range here at Gatwick working in partnership with the great brands here at the airport plus new ones in the future.”
Gatwick Airport Chief Commercial Officer Guy Stephenson commented: “Rachel joins Gatwick with a wealth of experience across high street and luxury retailers. This coupled with the years that she has spent working internationally in emerging markets enables her to bring a host of new ideas and international best practice to retailing at Gatwick.
“I’m looking forward to working with Rachel to maintain Gatwick’s leading position and ensure that our passengers have the best possible start to their time away.”
