 |
INTERNATIONAL. The Moodie Report presents the latest in our popular feature series called Never Hide, in which industry interviewees answer quick but revealing questions about their lives and interests inside and outside the industry.
Here we talk to Andrea Belardini, Chief Executive Officer Europe at The Nuance Group.
How long have you been in the travel retail industry?
21 years in the airport business, and directly involved in travel retail for 11.
What’s your proudest career achievement to date?
I would prefer other people to judge that.
Who have been the greatest inspirations in your life and career?
In my life, my father and my mother; in my career a person who has been my mentor for ten years: Francesco Paolo Pappalardo.
What’s the biggest lesson you have learned in the course of your life?
Listen first, but then act.
What qualities do you most admire in people?
Passion, transparency, commitment and, of course, humour.
You live in Switzerland but come from Italy. What is the biggest attraction of each, and the biggest difference?
Nature is the biggest attraction in both. The biggest difference is the weather!
What is your favourite quote or saying?
“Faber est suae quisque fortunae” – a Latin proverb which means that everyone is responsible for their own destiny.
If you had to sum up “˜being Italian’ in a few words, what would they be?
“˜Passionate’, “˜creative’, “˜explorers’ and “˜loud’.
What’s been your best-ever travel or holiday experience?
The island of Guadaloupe in the Caribbean, where I got hooked on kite surfing and where we took our daughter to the seaside for the first time.
One book, one music album for your desert island – what would they be?
Book: Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar; music: Bob Marley’s Legend.
And if you could take one duty free item?
I’d ask my team to list kite gear and buy it before leaving!
If you could invite three iconic figures (they can be living or dead) to your ideal dinner party, who would they be?
Jack Welch, Nelson Mandela and Fritjof Capra (author of The Tao of Physics).
