ASIA PACIFIC. Avolta Managing Director, Southeast Asia and Oceania David Mackay has decided to step down from the role, effective 31 October. He will be replaced by Jaswinder Singh, currently Avolta Managing Director North Asia.
Ho Chi Minh City-based Mackay, who ranks as one of the airport food & beverage sector’s highest achievers and most-respected executives over recent decades, will initially spend more time with his family and the local community in Vietnam where he is deeply involved in charity work.
He is expected to make a return to the industry in 2025.
In a note to business partners, Avolta President & CEO APAC Freda Cheung paid tribute to Mackay, saying: “Over the past three decades, David has significantly grown and expanded the HMSHost International business.
“Initially joining as General Manager for Melbourne, Australia in early 1992, David relocated his family in 1995 to take on the role of Managing Director Netherlands and to start HMHost’s European business.
“As Managing Director APAC from 2010, and most recently Managing Director SEA and Oceania for Avolta, he has grown our company across the region, in markets including Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Australia and New Zealand,” she added.
“David’s people-first approach to leadership will leave a lasting legacy on our company, and we remain sincerely thankful for his outstanding contributions to Avolta.”
Jaswinder Singh joined the company (then Dufry) in February 1994 as Asia Pacific Deputy Chief Operating Officer. From January 2012 he worked for Bering Asia before rejoining the travel retail world as CEO of Aer Rianta International-Middle East for India in April 2013.
In March 2015 he returned to the Dufry fold, relocating to Hong Kong as Business Development Director Asia, Middle East & Australia. He assumed the role of Avolta Managing Director North Asia in July 2023.✈
