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John Rimmer: New role with TFWA |
FRANCE. TFWA has appointed John Rimmer as Conference, Research and External Affairs Director with effect from 8 October 2012. Rimmer was most recently Executive Director: Business Development at The Moodie Report, a role he left in August.
He replaces Michael Barrett, currently TFWA Conference and Research Manager, who has decided to pursue business interests from his new home in India and will not be returning to the TFWA head office in Paris.
Rimmer will take responsibility for the organisation of all the association’s conferences, and workshops including those at the annual TFWA Asia Pacific and TFWA World Exhibition. He will also work with the regional associations on events such as the MEDFA Conference, on behalf of the Middle East Duty Free Association, and the TFWA-organised industry conference on China, which TFWA is organising in partnership with the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association.
Rimmer will also manage TFWA’s research programme, commissioning independent research into consumer behaviour in different regions for the benefit of TFWA member companies. In addition, he will oversee communication with members and the trade in general and take an active role in managing the member services of the Association.
Rimmer will be based in Paris and will report to Alain Maingreaud, TFWA Managing Director.
Barrett will work closely with Rimmer over the next five months to ensure a smooth handover. He will leave the association in March 2013 after the TFWA China conference.
Thom Rankin, TFWA Vice-President Conference & Research, said: “I have worked closely with Michael over the past six years and my Committee members and I have been greatly impressed not only by his exceptional organisational skills but by his ability to enlist a wide range of fascinating speakers to address our conferences, not least Kofi Annan, Neil Armstrong and Bob Geldof, often on controversial subjects. In addition he has master-minded on TFWA’s behalf various charitable projects under the TFWA Care banner which have, ultimately, benefited thousands of disadvantaged people. He will be a very hard act to follow.”
TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen added: “The conference and research activities have grown and blossomed under Michael’s stewardship but, given the scope of the responsibilities, it is vital that this role is based in Paris to ensure close collaboration with the rest of the executive team. Michael has elected to make his home in India so it is with regret that we must part company. On behalf of the Board and the Management Committee I would like to thank Michael for his considerable contribution and wish him every success in his future endeavours.”
John Rimmer has worked in the duty free and travel retail industry for over 12 years starting his career as a graduate trainee at Duty-Free News International in 2000, rising eventually to Editor. From 2006 to 2010 he was Deputy Director Business Development at Aelia Group, Paris then returned to the UK to work for The Moodie Report.
Juul-Mortensen added: “John’s broad experience of our industry seen through the eyes of an analytical journalist and editor, but with the added perspective acquired from his time with a retail company, will be invaluable to the association as it embarks on a complex programme of conferences and research for the benefit of the duty free and travel retail community. We welcome him to our organisation.”
COMMENT: John Rimmer played an influential role during a critical period in The Moodie Report’s recent development and will be a useful asset to TFWA. We wish him well.
