Devesh Kuwadekar, Senior Manager Business Development and Marketing Qatar Duty Free, is leaving to join MasterdCard Asia Pacific in Malaysia.

 

The much-respected Kuwadekar will join MasterCard Asia Pacific as Vice President & Head of Market Development in September and relocate to Kuala Lumpur.

 

Kuwadekar joined Qatar Duty Free in 2003 to set up the Marketing department for Qatar Duty Free and to handle the Inflight Duty Free business of Qatar Airways. Over 11 years with the Qatar Airways Group he has assisted in several projects in various capacities for the retailer and was an active member of Keith Hunter’s team over the past six years.

 

“I have been extremely fortunate to work with Qatar Duty Free, where every day has been a rewarding and exciting experience,” said Kuwadekar.

 

“There is no doubt that QDF is all set to take some challenging steps ahead and continue to be one the fastest growing duty free operators in the world today. The shear enthusiasm and passion with which everyone works in QDF is something I will surely miss.

 

“As I move to my new role I wish to specially thank Keith for entrusting me with such huge responsibility. I feel proud of what QDF has achieved in such a short tenure, under his leadership.

 

 

Doha’s spacious new modern facility at Hamad International Airport owes much on the commercial side to the very successful partnership between Senior Vice President Qatar Duty Free Keith Hunter and the outgoing Devesh Kuwadekar Senior Manager Business Development and Marketing Qatar Duty Free.

 

 

GREAT RELATIONSHIPS

“My immense gratitude and appreciation also goes out to the entire travel retail industry (media, brands, suppliers, industry colleagues) for their constant support and encouragement as I have truly made some genuine friends for life and had the opportunity to meet some fantastic professionals over the years.

 

“I am excited to take on this new role with MasterCard and hope to share some of my valuable learning and challenges of the travel retail Industry with them,” said Kuwadekar.

 

Commenting on his departure, Senior Vice President Qatar Duty Free Keith Hunter told TRBusiness in Doha: “Devesh has been the backbone of Qatar Duty Free for the past 11 years and how do you replace someone like that?

 

“I’ve been privileged to work alongside him for the last six years and I’ve seen him grow, mature and materialize into a consummate professional in delivering everything that our business requires. He lives and breathes it.

 

“But in fairness to him he was doing just as well before I got here and he was already on that path. I’m glad that he’s been able to achieve everything he wanted to in his tenure here at Qatar Duty Free and I’m sure he’ll go on to do more as his career progresses”.

 

TRBusiness would like to wish Devesh Kuwadekar and his family good luck in his new challenge and thank him for the no-nonsense, professional and business-like relationship we have enjoyed with him [and Keith Hunter and all QDF executives] over many years.