UAE. Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin is celebrating his Lifetime Achievement Award, an honour bestowed on him at the Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) Conference this week.
As reported, at the inaugural MEADFA Awards, McLoughlin was named as recipient at a ceremony during the MEADFA Gala Dinner in Bahrain. Dubai Duty Free was also a joint winner of the inaugural MEADFA Sustainability and CSR Award, along with technology supplier Bitmore.
McLoughlin said: “I am delighted and very touched to receive this special award at the inaugural MEADFA Awards, it is a huge honour and I am very grateful to the MEADFA board for nominating me, and to the judging panel. It is also terrific to be recognised for Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility. I attribute this recognition to our team of staff for their continuous effort in making our business successful and, of course, to our Chairman, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.”
Organised by the MEADFA board, the new awards programme recognises “innovative, dynamic and world-class travel retail specialists” in the Middle East and Africa region.
The Lifetime Achievement Award acknowledged McLoughlin for his outstanding contribution to the travel retail industry and his strong leadership of Dubai Duty Free since 1983. The Sustainability and CSR Award was awarded to the airport retailer for its commitment to sustainability and promotion of environmental projects both within and outside the organisation.
Chief Operating Officer Ramesh Cidambi accepted the award in Bahrain on behalf of McLoughlin. He was joined by other members of the senior team to accept the Sustainability and CSR Award.
An independent judging panel from across the travel retail industry adjudicated the awards, with oversight from a MEADFA awards committee.
Dubai Duty Free marks its 39th anniversary on 20 December, with a series of high-profile promotions and other activities planned.
