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 China Chief Representative, Hainan-based Zhang Yimei.
Tell us a little about yourself:
I was born in Tianjin, a city in Northern China. My mother worked in international trade, and I was inspired by her from a young age to go abroad, to travel and to discover the world.
I studied economics, majoring in international trade, and when I graduated from university I was very fortunate to join China Duty Free Group as a buyer. From there my career developed smoothly for 29 years, taking in merchandising and business development, regional distribution and retailing operation.
I speak Mandarin, English and some French.
When did you join The Moodie Davitt Report and how did it come about?
It was in June 2023. I had met up with Martin Moodie at an event during the 3rd Haikou Expo in April that year.
After a long-time-no-see situation because of the COVID pandemic, we had a lot of catching up to do and found that we could set up something interesting here in China. An office that would help the international community discover more about the island of Hainan, its off-shore duty-free operations and further the voice of the duty-free business in China. And the mission? To ‘Let the world hear China’s voice’.
How would you describe your role?
I am the China Chief Representative, tasked, together with my team members, to build a sounder relationship with all duty-free operators here in China. We aim to establish and maintain collaborations with international brands, ensuring a two-way prompt and efficient exchange of information.
We will also support and develop conferences, forums and award systems and encourage the development of closer ties with Chinese airports, operators, brands and service providers.
I am a member of the Hainan Think Tank, leading a research group to study government policies and to analyse market development.
Any standout moments so far of your time with The Moodie Davitt Report?
Yes, there are two. Firstly, meeting Dermot Davitt and The Moodie Davitt Report team at the Smile Train Charity Dinner in Singapore last year and, secondly, being part of The Trinity Forum in Hong Kong last year.
What is your approach to work, your business philosophy?
Frankly I am results orientated. I believe that mutual understanding and inclusion are key to doing good business.
With my experience in purchasing, distributing and retailing, I believe I can recognise and understand the concerns of those I am dealing with. It is important to think on a long-term basis but at the same time act as promptly as you can.
Travel retail is a community that needs what I term experience accumulation. What we are doing now will be accredited someday in the future. Longtermism is important as is reliability.
Daily necessities which keep you focused?
A balanced diet is very important as is getting enough sleep. Plus, some exercise to ensure you keep physically healthy. I love swimming, in particular breaststroke.
I don’t like to fuss over many things. Simply cut, one-piece dresses are wardrobe staples.
A must-have when you are in a duty-free store?
A good single malt whisky. Preferably a limited edition; peated is my favourite.
And a desert island choice?
I guess that can’t be a mobile phone with a strong signal, right? Then it would be a chilled beer.
How important is leisure time to you?
Extremely important. I love to travel and am often kidded with a ‘no travel, no retail’ line. So it’s fair to say I like shopping as well!
I also have a love of kitchen appliances. My most recent purchase was a new pan that can fry four eggs at the same time. And although I’m far from a professional cook, I love to spend time in my kitchen. I have a passion for fine cuisine and local speciality foods.
Hainan is a tropical island with lots of coconut and Wen Chang Chicken is one of the most famous local dishes. Tender chicken with pure coconut water boiled in a hot-pot and when we finish eating the chicken, we add beef, shrimp, tofu and vegetables. Delicious and one of my favourites. ✈
Previously on Meet The Moodie Davitt team
Introducing Vice President Sales Sarah Genest
