FRANCE. Tax Free World Association (TFWA) has unveiled its Management Committee and Board for the 2026-2028 term, following elections held during the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes this week.
The Management Committee was elected yesterday (30 September), with representatives from 40 companies spanning the major duty-free and travel retail product categories.
The Association’s Annual General Assembly followed today (1 October), after which the newly constituted Management Committee elected the Board, also for a two-year mandate.
Jean-Pierre Bombet of Spa Development/Be Relax was elected Vice-President Finance, while Payot’s Priscilla Haibe de Walque becomes Vice-President Corporate and Estée Lauder Companies’ Irene Giatra takes the role of Vice-President Commercial. Both are newly elected to the Board.
EssilorLuxottica’s Alessio Crivelli continues as Vice-President Marketing, with WorldConnect’s Sam Gerber serving as Vice-President Conference & Research.
The Management Committee features 12 representatives from the perfumes & cosmetics sector: Arabian Oud International, Chanel, Collistar, Coty, Editions des Sens, Estée Lauder Companies, L’Oréal, Parfums Christian Dior, Payot, Puig, Rituals and Shiseido Travel Retail.
Wine, spirits, beers & non-alcoholic beverages are represented by Albert Bichot, Brown-Forman, Duty Free Global, Herita Marzotto Wine Estates, Masi Agricola, Moët Hennessy, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail and Casa Redondo.
The fashion, accessories, sunglasses & luggage representatives are Ermenegildo Zegna Group, EssilorLuxottica, Hermès, Hugo Boss, VF International and Joseph Ribkoff.
Butlers Chocolates, Lindt & Sprüngli, Mondelez World Travel Retail and Neuhaus represent confectionery, fine food & food supplements, while LEGO Group represents gifts, toys, souvenirs & home.
Buying the Sky, Hanse Travel Retail and Reflecta represent jewellery, watches and writing instruments. Spa Développement/Be Relax and WorldConnect represent electronics and travel accessories.
The tobacco & smokers’ accessories representatives are Imperial Tobacco International, JTI, Oettinger Davidoff and Philip Morris World Trade.
TFWA President Sarah Branquinho said: “I am pleased to welcome returning and new Management Committee representatives from 40 companies. Their expertise and involvement will play an important part in helping TFWA deliver its priorities in the year ahead.
“I would also like to congratulate those elected to the new TFWA Board and welcome them to their roles. We are fortunate to have a group of highly experienced professionals from across our industry, bringing a broad range of expertise and perspectives to the Association.
“At a time of significant change and opportunity for duty free and travel retail, their insight and experience will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen TFWA’s role in supporting our members, championing our industry and helping to shape its future.
“I extend my sincere thanks to our outgoing Management Committee members, and to Board members Erin Lillis from Lacoste and Loukia Alepochoriti from Imperial Brands PLC, who did not stand for re-election, for their dedication and contribution to TFWA during their terms.
“Their active participation and commitment to the Association have been greatly valued, and I look forward to building on this work with the new Board.” ✈
