ANNE KAVANAGH JOINS APTRA AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Singapore 14 February 2022 The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Anne Kavanagh as its new Executive Director, reporting to the President of APTRA and the APTRA Board. The role continues to be remote based* with travel to the Asia Pacific as required and also incorporates all aspects of the B2B media communications requirements of the Association. The appointment takes effect on 18 April 2022 and is supported by Sharolyn Paul, APTRA Administrative Officer, who has been integral to the efficient operation of APTRA since February 2017.

Anne replaces Christina Oliver who has relocated to the USA with her family after serving over three years in the role. During her time with APTRA, Christina began a new chapter for the Association with the introduction of new reporting on advocacy, alongside a new website and central resource library, bringing added value to APTRA members.

Sunil Tuli, President of APTRA, comments. “We are delighted to welcome Anne to the position of Executive Director of APTRA. Having proactively led our communications for over two years she has valuable insight into the Association’s mission and objectives. She brings a wealth of strategic expertise in travel retail, gained over 25 years as one of the industry’s most respected marketing communications consultants, partnering on a global basis with airports, brands, retailers, food & beverage operators, architects and the broader travel retail community as well as having represented leading retailers in the European domestic market. We are confident she will add valuable perspective and impact in leading the APTRA as we move towards the post-covid era of travel retail.

“We would like to thank Christina for leading APTRA through a particularly challenging time, the contribution she has made to increasing value for our members and for her commitment to the industry especially in creating closer connections with other trade associations in the wider travel sector. We wish her and her family every success and happiness in their new chapter in the USA and hope to see her again in travel retail in the Americas.

Anne Kavanagh adds. “I’m very excited and honoured to take on the role of Executive Director of APTRA. I am extremely passionate about Travel Retail and its importance to the wider travel and tourism ecosystem. Despite the current challenges, I believe this is a pivotal moment in the industry’s evolution, especially considering the omnichannel opportunity and the emergence of new categories that are fast-gaining traction with shoppers.”

Anne will continue to lead her travel retail consultancy practice alongside the role as Executive Director of APTRA.

*The role of Executive Director, APTRA has been remote based since June 2020

ENDS