In another important step that expands its scope, the International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) added three new Board members from the supplier community to its Board of Directors. Board members serve for a two-year term.
The new supplier Directors include Greg Ford, General Manager – TR Americas, Pernod Ricard; Felipe Grant, General Manager, Puig Travel Retail Americas; and Markus Suter, Market Manager GTR – The Americas, Lindt.
This marks the first time that the Association’s supplier partners have seats as voting members of the association’s Board of Directors.
Michael Payne, President & CEO, IAADFS, comments: “While our supplier partners have long been members of the association, have served on several advisory committees, and have been strong supporters throughout the years, this represents an expanded role and vital addition to the Board.”
“The addition of these three talented and well-respected members of the duty free and travel retail industry, all from prestigious and major industry companies, will be invaluable additions to the Board and our deliberations. This is particularly relevant as we examine how to best respond to the changes and opportunities confronting our industry and evaluate the services that we provide to our members,” stated Rene Reidi, Chairman, IAADFS.
“We very much appreciate their support and interest in becoming active members of the Board of Directors. These appointments will bring a varied and in-depth knowledge of their sectors and the overall industry to IAADFS as we adapt to the ever-changing nature of our business.”
Felipe Grant is an accomplished professional with 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, previously working with L’Occitane and LVMH. Since 2020 he has been General Manager Travel Retail Americas with Puig. His leadership and vision have been instrumental in the company’s retail development, driving the transformation of such brands as Carolina Herrera, Rabanne, Jean Paul Gaultier and Penhaligon’s.
Markus Suter has worked for more than thirteen years with Lindt. For the last ten years Markus has been based in Brazil, responsible for travel retail within the Americas. Suter has successfully built up Lindt’s business in Latin America and North America, helping to establish the company’s strong market position in the region by focusing on premiumization.
Greg Ford has spent almost 20 years in the liquor industry, including the last nine focused on the travel retail business across Europe and the Americas. Following a decade of working at Diageo, Ford joined Pernod Ricard in 2018 and currently leads their travel retail business in the Americas, based in Miami. Since relocating to the U.S. from the UK in 2022, he has maintained his role as a strong advocate for the interests of the duty free and travel retail industry throughout the region.
“We could not be more excited and pleased to have these gentlemen be a part of our Board. With their insights and knowledge of the industry they will be a huge part of our plans and direction going forward,” said Payne, adding that they expect to announce another new supplier Board member prior to the Summit.”
Last month, the IAADFS announced the appointment of Starboard President and CEO Lisa Bauer to the Board, the first time that cruise retailing has been represented on the Board.
