Nigel Sandals will join Bluedog Promotions on 7 January after a long career with Dufry Group.

Highly respected travel retail executive Nigel Sandals is to join production and events company Bluedog Productions Ltd to head up business development in the liquor and confectionery sectors.

Sandals joins the company on 7 January following a long career with Dufry Group. He first joined World Duty Free Group in 1997, buying for a number of categories over the years including confectionery, tobacco, food and souvenirs.

In 2012, he was appointed UK Head of Buying, Alcohol & Tobacco and was a key member of the international purchasing function implementing best practice across the group’s global footprint.

EXPERIENCED EXECUTIVE

Four years later, he took on a divisional role within the alcohol category, accountable for the integration of a new buying department within the newly formed Dufry business model —2,220 stores across 63 countries.

Bluedog CEO and Founder Nick King said: “I can’t think of anyone more suitably qualified to further develop the alcohol and confectionery portfolio of Bluedog Productions than Nigel.

Sandals’ arrival follows the appointment Debbie Ansell, former World Duty Free Group, Head of Beauty and Commercial Director, UK & Germany on a part time consultancy basis in December 2018.

“His retail experience is exceptional and like all of us here at Bluedog, his attention to detail is outstanding. We’re delighted to welcome him to a team that is, quite simply, the best of its kind in global travel retail.”

Sandals added: “I am delighted to be joining the incredibly talented and dynamic team at Bluedog Productions. With 20 years experience in the travel retail sector I very much look forward to working with the team and continuing to develop its presence within the industry.

“The sector provides Bluedog a great platform to deliver exceptional consumer experience and engagement with some of the world’s leading brands.”

Sandals’ appointment follows the arrival of Debbie Ansell, former World Duty Free Group, Head of Beauty and Commercial Director, UK & Germany, Dufry on a part-time consultancy basis in December 2018.

A Gold Sponsor of last year’s inaugural TRBusiness awards voted for the by the consumer, Bluedog’s remit is to help brands come to life.

Its portfolio includes fashion shows, sports sponsorship, conferences, award events, airport retail, product launches, experiential, fundraising events, trade stands, bespoke design and build.