Leila Stansfield is stepping into the Managing Director role of Bacardi’s global travel retail (GTR) business, effective January 2023. Her appointment marks the first female lead for the division.

Currently On-Trade Sales Director, Bacardi UK & Ireland, Stansfield is an experienced GTR industry veteran, having previously held roles as GTR Finance Director and GTR Marketing Director.

“I am very excited to be returning to global travel retail in January 2023, especially at a time when the market looks set to move towards full recovery,” said Stansfield.

“I look forward to reconnecting with our retail partners and stakeholders to accelerate and deliver mutually beneficial strategies for growth.”

Vijay Subramaniam, Regional President AMEA & GTR, Bacardi expressed his delight as welcoming Stansfield back to GT

“She is a driving force in our senior leadership team and brings valuable commercial acumen from across several aspects of our business,” he said.

“This is a time of transformational opportunity for global travel retail and Bacardi is deeply committed for the long term.

“With a passion for people – our customers, consumers and for unlocking potential in her team – Leila will be a tremendous leader to move GTR into the new omnichannel era, maximising the unrivalled dynamics in terms of strategic brand-building and commercial opportunity as well as driving our ESG goals – a key objective in our strategic ambitions for global travel retail.”

 

Stansfield will take over from the current Managing Director, Vinay Golikeri, who is moving out of GTR to take on the role of Managing Director, India and Neighboring Countries.

“Vinay has played a pivotal role in leading and developing our global travel retail business,” said Subramaniam.

“The last few years have been particularly difficult for this channel, and Vinay has successfully navigated the challenges of the pandemic.

“He has spearheaded our ambitions as a front-runner in the omnichannel revolution sweeping travel retail by partnering with retail customers, introducing significant innovation in shopper experience and our brand portfolio. “

Golikeri added: “It’s been such a privilege to lead the Bacardi global travel retail business, and I would especially like to call out the most magnificent team of talented people I’ve worked with and to thank them for their fearless commitment and passion.

“These individuals have delivered phenomenal work in the toughest of times, enabling us to reinvent our business in global travel retail and to emerge stronger with new possibilities, notably in forging omnichannel solutions that are the bedrock of the new era in this remarkable market.”