The Moodie Davitt Report may bear the names of its Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie and long-time President (and since 2015 Co-Owner) Dermot Davitt, but there is a lot more to the company than its two leaders.
Our diverse and inclusive, multi-talented, multi-cultural 24-member team (including regular freelancers and consultants) is based across numerous locations, including Hong Kong, Hainan, Ireland, Rhodes (Greece), Wales, England and the Philippines.
They speak eight languages between them and collectively represent the leading travel retail B2B publisher and events company with distinction across administration & finance, editorial, events, film, research, sales and technology.
We are pleased to introduce the team in this regular column. Please meet our Reporter Ameesha Raizada.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in Haridwar, India, a small town located in the Shivalik range at the foothills of the Himalayas. My father worked at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), a power generation equipment manufacturer for 37 years.
I attribute my interest in the arts to my mother, who as a textile designer demonstrated remarkable finesse with the paintbrush. My sister is five years older than me, a coding whiz based in Texas, USA. She has always been a pillar of support and inspiration, embodying strength and resilience.
We grew up in what is known as the BHEL colony, a tight-knit community where festivals were celebrated together and long-lasting relationships were made. My closest friends from school were often neighbours, with close bonds built over regular doses of homework and gully cricket.
After high school I went to live in Kangra, in the Himachal Pradesh state – even deeper into the Himalayas – to study for a Bachelor’s degree in communication. Four years later I started at Burda Media India in Gurugram as Features Writer & Social Media Executive. My first job and first tryst with a ‘big city’.
Growing up I was always close to nature, and this has translated into an ever-consuming love for plants and animals. I’ve taken care of injured birds, fostered dogs and yes, I’ve had pets. My family dog Kuro, a gorgeous black Labrador, passed away in May last year.
I was in London at the time and I was devastated. I remember waking up with a start at 3am, sweaty and anxious, pacing around before eventually going back to sleep. Next morning, my mum called to tell me Kuro had passed away. It’s hard to explain, but I think I’d already sensed it.
I speak English and Hindi and can read and write in Sanskrit.
When did you join The Moodie Davitt Report?
I started working with The Moodie Davitt Report in March last year after virtual meets with Dermot Davitt, Matt Willey and Hannah Tan-Gillies. That was right after I’d finished my Master’s in Journalism at the University of the Arts London.
The city grew on me while I was studying, with its diverse population and eclectic art scene. I decided to stay and gain experience working in a new environment; an opportunity for both professional and personal growth.
What is your role?
I’m a Reporter, working on news and covering events from across the travel retail and duty-free industry. I also create content for The Moodie Davitt Report’s Instagram and Facebook.
My favourite tasks include working on interviews. I particularly enjoyed getting to know Baroque & Rose Founder Miriam Ciantar, Famille Perrin’s Export Director (APAC-MEA & TR) Florian Garrigues and umdasch Shop Consult Director Maik Drewitz.
Each interview offers me a chance to view the industry from a new angle, allowing me to explore individual experiences and insights. I take pleasure in writing people-first narratives that humanise organisations, shedding light on the people behind the scenes by showcasing their stories, struggles and triumphs.
One or more highlight(s) of your time with The Moodie Davitt Report?
I think the highlight of my time here has to be the people I work with: Hannah, Leanne, Kristyn, Martin, Dermot, Mark, you and the rest of the team. I’ve learned much more from you all than I ever did in a classroom. The level of support and compassion on a day-to-day basis is exemplary.
Something else I value is the company’s commitment to social causes, from actively participating in the recent International Women’s Day Inspire Inclusion initiative to the Smile Train campaign.
When Women in Travel Retail+ selected Koma Karanth Foundation as its official charity for 2023, we had dedicated advertising bringing attention to the organisation’s cause. I found Martin Moodie’s interview with the founder Maitreyi Karanth a touching personal narrative, going beyond the usual ‘corporate responsibility’ discourse.
What is your approach to work?
I’m a believer in rolling with the punches and embracing the journey. Whether it’s tackling a challenging project or celebrating a small win, I approach my work with a mix of determination, positivity and, importantly, a good playlist. My go-to playlist includes The Lumineers, Men I Trust and independent artists on Coke Studio India and Pakistan.
I think I flourish in environments where creativity is appreciated, setbacks are viewed as opportunities for growth, and honesty and transparency are valued above all else.
What is it that makes you tick?
I love changing as a person and the key to that is opening my mind to ideas and experiences. Whether it’s through reading, travelling or acquiring a new skill (I’ve recently taken on the challenge to learn Classical Tibetan, good luck to me), it’s this constant curiosity for the world that drives me.
My Instagram handle is @thegirlwhowentbonkers, which I created after high school. At the time I was re-reading Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and this quote caught my eye:
The Mad Hatter: Have I gone mad?
Alice Kingsley: I’m afraid so. You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret: all the best people are.
Travelling keeps me grounded. My next adventure? Montenegro, for a friend’s birthday bash.
I learnt motorcycling six years ago, and it’s my absolute favourite mode of transport. I’ve clocked up countless road trips across India, especially in Himachal Pradesh. I got married in January, and my husband Sachin Rai and I are planning to ride from New Delhi to Ladakh next year.
A must-have in duty free when you are travelling?
Ah, I would have to say travel-friendly skincare kits. My current favourites are Grown Alchemist Skin Function Starter Kit and Kiehl’s Smooth-It-Up Starter Set.
And a ‘desert island’ choice of music and book?
I’ll take my copy of Aelita by Russian author Aleksey Tolstoy, an English translation of the original 1923 edition. For tunes, I’d take along The Lumineers’ Ballad of Cleopatra album.
How important is leisure time and out of work interests?
This can be best explained with an example: I enjoy painting and while art is subjective, I believe I’m not very good at it.
Fortunately, it’s not how I pay my bills, so I let myself make countless errors and create for the joy of creating.
Leisure time positively contributes to my professional growth as well. It’s like a reset button for the brain; I find myself more focused and productive after a swim or a night out enjoying live music. ✈
Previously on Meet The Moodie Davitt team
Introducing China Chief Representative Zhang Yimei
Introducing Vice President Sales Sarah Genest
