Following hot on the heels of Hotel Shilla’s move to take a 44% stake in inflight concessionaire DFASS, the Korean travel retailer has appointed ex-CEO of Nuance, Roberto Graziani to its Board – and made him Vice Chairman of the newly-created joint venture with DFASS.

Graziani was at the helm of Switzerland-based Nuance for over a decade until late 2014 when the company was bought by rival Dufry. Shilla describes Graziani as “a management specialist with one of the longest terms in the position.”

Shilla expects to tap Graziani’s extensive experience in the duty free industry – notably in Europe – as well as his contacts with worldwide airports and suppliers. Graziani was appointed as President and CEO of Nuance in 2004 and was instrumental in turning Nuance into a global player in DF&TR, and also for fattening up sales and earnings in the five years before its sale to Dufry.

On the board appointment, Shilla comments: “Graziani is tasked with contributing to Shilla’s vision to become a global leader in travel retail. He will lead the Merchandising Division in the definition of its strategic goals and in the development of its commercial relationship with its partners. Moreover, Mr Graziani will drive Shilla’s global expansion in travel retail and its international business.”

In his positions as Vice Chairman of the DFASS JV in the US, Graziani will take responsibility for business expansion and maximisation of synergies with Shilla.

‘PIVOTAL ROLE’

Boojin Lee, President and CEO of Hotel Shilla, says: “We are very pleased about Mr Graziani’s decision to join us as a board member. I have known him since 2007 and I have always appreciated his strategic view, international competence and knowledge. I’m sure Mr Graziani will play a pivotal role in the future success of our duty free organisation.”

Graziani adds: “I’m honoured to be part of the Hotel Shilla family. For a long time, I have been watching the development of the DF&TR business in Korea with interest and now I’m really looking forward to contributing to its global expansion.”