UK. The UK Travel Retail Forum (UKTRF) yesterday elected Nigel Keal as Chairperson following a unanimous vote at the association’s 24th Annual General Meeting in London.
Keal, a much-respected travel retail veteran, has been fulfilling the role on an interim basis since early 2022. He has three decades of experience in duty free and travel retail roles in senior commercial positions.
UKTRF’s Board of Directors unanimously put him forward for the permanent position, and members voted to endorse their decision in an unopposed election at the AGM.
During the meeting, members also voted to shake up the Forum’s leadership by creating a new Directorship to represent regional airports – which make up a significant proportion of UKTRF’s 60-organisation membership base.
Birmingham Airport Head of Commercial Laura Page has been appointed to the Board in that newly created role.
Page already heads the Forum’s sustainability sub-group and led the development of UKTRF’s ESG statement, which was published recently on the Forum’s relaunched website, www.uktrf.co.uk.
The AGM attracted dozens of members from across the UK to hear updates on UKTRF’s many advocacy projects, including arrivals duty free, tax free shopping, sustainability and the Government-backed One Too Many campaign.
ETRC Secretary General Julie Lassaigne joined the event from Brussels to update UKTRF members on the European travel retail landscape and the association’s current priorities.
Members also received a presentation of the latest ETRC Business Performance Index by Steve Hillam, Managing Director of the travel retail research specialists Pi Insight.
Commenting on his appointment and the AGM’s success, Keal said: “I’m delighted to have been elected as the Chair of UKTRF. Fulfilling the role over the last sixteen months has been a great privilege, and I’m pleased both the Board and membership have put their faith in me for another year.
“Post-Brexit, the travel retail landscape in the UK is unique. The role of organisations like UKTRF in helping businesses navigate the many commercial and regulatory challenges they face is more important than ever, and I’m proud that my time as interim Chair oversaw a significant period of growth for the Forum.
“As members heard yesterday at our in-person AGM, the UKTRF team has an ever-expanding range of advocacy projects, and we work hard to secure the best possible conditions for the travel retail channel.
“I look forward to another positive year for UKTRF and for our industry’s recovery.”
Keal added: “I would also like to thank my predecessor Rachel Bulford for being an excellent UKTRF chair, Board member, and mentor to me during this transition.” ✈
