USA. Stellar Partners has appointed Padraig Drennan as President & Chief Operating Officer. The sector veteran, most recently Chief Operating Officer for inflight-to-airport retailer DFASS Group, will have responsibility for the HMSHost company’s travel retail company’s operations.
Stellar Partners, founded by President & CEO Susan Stackhouse over 30 years ago, was acquired by HMSHost in May 2016. It currently operates 38 convenience and speciality retail stores in ten US airports.
In 2015 it posted annual revenues of US$38 million and an EBITDA margin of 11%. The company operates a portfolio of retail brands, including Stellar News, Stellar Bay, Stellar Duty Free, Stellar Books and specialty children’s concept, Mindworks.
Drennan has worked in airport retail for over ten years. Before joining DFASS, he was President of World Duty Free North America, where he was responsible for that company’s three segments – news & gifts, duty free and specialty retail. Drennan has also served as Chief Financial Officer of World Duty Free UK. He will be based at Stellar’s corporate headquarters in Tampa, Florida.
“After an extensive search which identified many strong candidates, I am very pleased that Padraig will be joining our Stellar team,” said Stellar CEO Susan Stackhouse. “Padraig has the solid background and expertise in the travel retail industry to help lead our company during our next phase of accelerated growth and development.”
Drennan has held management positions with Marks and Spencer, Gap and Disney Stores, after starting his career with Arthur Anderson. He serves on the Board of the International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores (IAADFS).
