It is with immense sorrow that we report the passing of Paula Oliver, a warm and wonderful human spirit and a deeply respected and much-loved figure to many people in travel retail, aviation and airport advertising circles.
Paula, wife of prominent long-time airport executive Marcus Balmforth, passed on 21 December after a short and courageous battle with lung cancer.
Paula was well-known by members of The Moodie Davitt Report team but out of respect for the family we have held off this notice until her funeral which was held this week. Paula had been due to speak at The Trinity Forum in Doha last October but had to drop out due to being diagnosed just weeks before. Typically, she informed us of that decision and its reasons with class, understatement and requested discretion.
Paula was Managing Director at Wildstone Consulting, a UK firm specialised in Out of Home advertising, particularly in travel locations such as airports. Previously she had worked for JCDecaux Airport in the UK for 11 years until 2009, before taking on senior roles at Airport Partners and Sky Brands. She also ran The Milo Consultancy in tandem with her most recent role.
From the moment of her passing, tributes poured into a Facebook page created by her daughter Grace. Husband Marcus spoke of his deep sadness in losing his “darling wife, soul mate, friend and love.
“Words cannot express my sorrow and emptiness,” he said.
The Moodie Davitt Report joins with many people in expressing our deepest condolences to Grace, Marcus and the wider family. Rest in peace dear Paula.
