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Andrew Ford at the recent TFWA Asia Pacific exhibition in Singapore. The TFWA CEO is leaving the association to work for DFS Group in Hong Kong. Photo by Salina Christmas |
FRANCE/HONG KONG. Tax Free World Association announced today that its Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Ford, is leaving to assume the role of Vice President Business Development with DFS Group in Hong Kong.
He will report to Michael Zacharia and handle a portion of business development. DFS Group is strengthening this function as it intensifies its efforts to expand group business in the region.
The exact date of departure is being discussed, but Ford – who joined TFWA in 1999 – will continue to work with TFWA for an interim period to secure a smooth transition.
TFWA said that Ford has helped the Association to develop its activities and to expand its presence internationally through pre-existing and new activities, and also through involvement in the development and strengthening of regional travel retail associations.
TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen said: “˜’Andrew has played a vital role in developing the Association to its current position as the world’s largest duty free and travel retail association. We are delighted for him that he has been given this opportunity and we wish him every success in his new role.”
TFWA is searching currently for a replacement to start as soon as possible. Interested candidates can obtain more information through Bouttier & Co in Paris at ibouttier@bouttier-co.com
Continuity will be a concern for the Association, especially given the previous expectation that the long-time and much respected President, Maxxium’s Juul-Mortensen, would stand down this year. However The Moodie Report understands that given the current circumstances he is willing to put himself forward again for election to both the Management Committee and the Presidency. We understand that Juul-Mortensen plans to discuss the matter with the Management Committee as soon as possible. Certainly he would attract virtually unanimous industry support if he chose to stay on.
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