QATAR. Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has started the New Year where it left off 2023 by further strengthening its executive team with the appointment of Stuart Barnard to the role of Vice President, Supply Chain, Warehouse and Logistics.
QDF owns and operates all retail and catering outlets at Hamad International Airport in Doha.
Described by QDF as a highly experienced logistics professional with first-class technical expertise, Barnard has built, trained and led high-performance teams both as a consultant and in-house within major organisations in the UK, Europe and the Middle East, including 15 years with World Duty Free.
Barnard, who reports directly to QDF Senior Vice President Thabet Musleh, is charged with leading the ongoing development and enhancement of the travel retailer’s key supply chain and warehouse function with a strong focus on talent, processes and systems.
Musleh said: “2023 was a stellar year for Qatar Duty Free and we are delighted to kick off 2024 by welcoming Stuart to the team.
“Stuart brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will be instrumental as we look to accelerate our leadership and strengthen our operational capabilities.
“Our Supply Chain, Warehouse and Logistics function underpins everything we do, and while hidden from the end-consumer is a key interface with our brand partners and ensures that we are consistently positioned to deliver the most memorable and superior experiences in-store.”
Barnard’s appointment is the latest in a string of top-level engagements by QDF in recent times. In September it named two highly experienced sector executives to key roles with Grant Fleming joining as Vice President, Food & Beverage and Nuno Moreira as Vice President, Strategy & Commercial. Earlier in the year Musleh, formerly QDF Vice President, was promoted to his current role.
About Qatar Duty Free
Qatar Duty Free operates more than 200 retail and dining outlets, pledging to create a new passenger experience while reinventing airport shopping and dining for a new generation of travellers.
Since its initial conception in 2000 with fewer than 50 staff members, QDF has grown to over 4,000 employees from 62 nationalities.
2023 was a particularly memorable year for the company. It scooped an unprecedented 12 titles at the Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Awards 2023 run by The Moodie Davitt Report, including Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year. QDF also snared the top prize of Airport Retailer of the Year at the 2023 Frontier Awards, along with the Best New Shop Opening and Outstanding Contribution (Thabet Musleh) accolades.
QDF is the first company to have ever won the premier FAB and Frontier awards in a single year.
Thabet Musleh was also named one of The Moodie Davitt Report’s People of the Year for 2023.
Hamad International Airport was also named World’s Best Airport for Shopping at the SKYTRAX World Airport Awards 2023, attributed to Qatar Duty Free’s retail and F&B strategy to offer the best experience for passengers.
