Furla Global Travel Retail Director Gerry Munday has announced her retirement, effective today (13 December).

The much-respected industry executive has held the role since July 2011 when she was brought in to relaunch the brand into GTR and inflight duty free.

Prior to joining Furla, Munday, who was born in Norwich in the UK and lived in Spain, worked at MCM under the same title between 2006 and 2011.

RESPECTED FIGURE 

This followed a 20-year stint as Global Travel Retail Manager for Swiss luxury fashion company Bally between 1986 and 2006.

In a note to her DF&TR industry friends, Munday said: “It is with sadness and excitement that I am writing to inform you that I will be retiring from Furla.

“It is now onto the next chapter in my life wherever it may take me. After 32 years in the industry it is quite strange to be saying goodbye, but we all have to at some point.”

She added: “I would like to take this opportunity to personally and sincerely thank you for your trust, support and friendship over the years. I wish you continued success in your businesses.”

TIGHTLY CONTESTED LEADERSHIP RACE

Separately, but of much importance, anticipation is building ahead of tomorrow’s TFWA Presidential election in Paris.

As reported, Erik-Juul Mortensen announced earlier this year that he would not run again for the leadership role he has held for 19 years, in doing so leaving the door open to a new President.

Current APTRA President and Paccaya Resources Founder Andrew Ford and Munday have already lodged their candidacies.

Alain Maingreaud, Associate Director, TFWA (pictured left) and Thom Rankin, Manager Business Development, Capi Global are also reliably understood by TRBusiness to have thrown their names into the hat.

Conversations with sources ahead of tomorrow’s TFWA Management Committee vote in Paris suggest Maingreaud is emerging as a strong candidate to take the role, while Munday is also understood to be a popular frontrunner.

TRBusiness will bring you further news as soon as it emerges…