Imperial Brands’ Global Duty Free & Export (GDF&E) division has moved to Madrid, with several new appointments named.
The decision to relocate to Madrid centralises functions previously handled in the Hamburg and Bristol offices of the group. Global Director GDF&E Jorge Arias, head of the division since April 2017, explained: “Madrid provides us with the optimum strategic location while better managing the various global entities that constitute Imperial Brands Duty Free and Export.”
“The GDF&E new location allows us to be better prepared for future growth opportunities and to bring together sales and marketing for all the key Duty Free & Export tobacco brands – cigarette and cigar – such as Davidoff, West, Gauloises, L&B, Rizla, Cohiba and Montecristo, as well as our vaping brand myBlu.”
Alberto Serrano has been named Regional Manager Europe, replacing Jürgen Mortzfeldt, who is retiring. Serrano joins the team from the Premium Cigar division.
He reports directly to Global Duty Free & Export (GDF&E) Sales and Marketing Director Christian Münstermann, who said: “We are delighted to welcome Alberto to the Global Duty Free & Export team. However we are very sad to say goodbye to Jürgen who I would personally like to thank for his valued contribution, outstanding work and great loyalty. Jürgen has been with us for the last 23 years and has played a key role in the duty free team, driving our business in the region with passion and commitment. We all wish him all the best for the future.”
Another key appointment is that of Laurent Belotti as Key Account Manager Dufry. He replaces Andy Blacker, who begins a new role within the Bristol-based travel retail team from 1 April.
Münstermann said: “Andy built an amazing business relationship for Imperial Brands with Dufry since joining the team in 2012 and we would like to thank him for his amazing contribution and great support.”
Serrano and Belotti will both work from the new GDF&E headquarters in Madrid.
Other recent appointments include Tobias Baude as Head of Corporate & Legal Affairs – Global Duty Free & Export, along with the regional appointments of Julia Bauer to manage APAC and Jose Rubiralta to lead the newly created Americas regional team.
“We have an incredibly strong team to take Imperial Brands Global Duty Free & Export into the next phase of our growth and development globally,” added Münstermann. “It’s a critical and challenging time for tobacco in the Global Duty Free & Export market and I am confident that we have the team, the brands, the products and the innovation pipeline to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s travelling consumers.”
