UAE. Paul Marks (left), well known in the travel retail industry for his time with Alpha Airports Group, has joined retailer and distributor Kreol Group as Chief Operating Officer.
Kreol Group Chief Executive Lal Arakulath said: “Paul will be looking at all aspects of our business, concentrating on business planning and reporting as well as processes and procedures. He will explore business opportunities within our existing portfolio and new business development.
“We welcome him to the Kreol Group and look forward to his contributions to all our business divisions, partners, associates and valued staff.”
Marks has 40 years of retail, distribution, marketing and business development experience. He began his career at Marks & Spencer before spending 14 years in retail development and operations with Toys R Us’ International Division, based in New York.
He joined Alpha Airports Group in 2000 and was instrumental in creating the joint venture between Alpha and Kreol that opened Cochin Duty Free in 2002.
He later ran his own retail consultancy, Retail Management Solutions, advising airport retailers and the Indian government on airport retail concourse design and franchisee and operator selection.
Marks has held a number of senior consultancy roles in Dubai with international brands such as Nike, Timberland, McDonald’s, Emirates Group, Standard Charted Bank, Philip Morris, and Nakheel’s retail division, Retailcorp. This led to his appointment as Lead Retail Consultant for Dubai Maritime City and Nakheel Northern projects.
After eight years working for a small Qatari family group, Marks returned to consulting with a focus on organisational and change management.
