 |
Philip Eckles: Key ARI-ME post |
MIDDLE EAST. Philip Eckles has been named as Head of Aer Rianta International-Middle East, replacing outgoing Managing Director John Sutcliffe who will retire on 31 December. Sutcliffe has been among the key influential figures in the rise of the company, and of Middle Eastern duty free, since helping to create ARI-ME in 1993. He was previously a vital player in the rise of Dubai Duty Free in its early years.
Eckles, currently the travel retailer’s Regional Manager for North America & the Caribbean, will take over Sutcliffe’s responsibilities in the Middle East from January.
Eckles has been with ARI for the past 17 years having initially started his duty free retail career with Allders International at London’s Heathrow Airport in 1989. In his time with ARI he has held various senior management roles in the company including secondments to Eurotunnel and Birmingham Airport in the UK, Pakistan, Ukraine, Ireland, Bulgaria and most recently in his current role, based in Canada.
Sutcliffe will remain as a member of the ARI-ME Board in an advisory capacity.
 A personal salute to a great Irish Rover |
| Make no mistake about the significance of the moment – one of travel retail’s key figures of the past quarter century is about to step down from the industry stage |
| More from The Moodie Blog |
ARI Director General Eamon Foley commented: “John has been the driving force behind ARI’s success in the Middle East for many years. He has built our business to the dominant position that we enjoy today. We wish him every success in his future endeavours.”
Sutcliffe told The Moodie Report: “The time is right for me to make this move. There are many things I still want to do and to achieve. I’m pleased to stay on as an advisor on the Board and to aid the transition with Philip coming to the Middle East.”
We’ll carry more on this story soon, and a major interview with John Sutcliffe looking back on his career at ARI-ME – and his role in creating a business that will be worth close to US$1 billion this year.
Advertisement |
