Strategic retail consultancy Harper Dennis Hobbs (HDH) has appointed Nadine Heubel to lead its operations in North America, effective 1 August.

Experienced industry executive Heubel, who departed Gebr. Heinemann in March after a 14-year spell including six as the CEO of its Americas division, joins as Senior Managing Director.

She will be tasked with spearheading the HDH travel retail team’s strategic expansion into the continent.

The appointment comes as HDH looks to increase its international reach with a focus on growth in the US and Canada.

‘Ambitious expansion’

In a statement obtained by TRBusiness, Simon Black, Executive Managing Director at Harper Dennis Hobbs, said: “Nadine brings with her a wealth of industry leading experience, and I am thrilled that she will play a key part of growing Harper Dennis Hobbs internationally.

“I am delighted we have secured her talent and excited that she will help expand our business in North America.

“We have ambitious plans to not only expand our business in North America, but to create a truly global travel retail business.

“As our business continues to grow and diversify, we are increasingly able to support our clients develop their travel retail business on a global scale through all channels.”

Heubel added: “Joining the Harper Dennis Hobbs travel team is an exciting move. They have an outstanding reputation in the travel retail sector, and I can’t wait to get started and take the lead on expanding their presence in North America.

“In the last year the HDH Travel Division has supported their clients to secure a total of 27 new international airport stores; 141 cruise ship openings; over 45 new airport and airline listings, as well as working with four international airports to help shape and create new commercial strategies.”

London-based Harper Dennis Hobbs is part of publicly traded commercial real estate firm Newmark Group after it acquired the former in 2019.