Olesja Flores will commence her role as GTR General Manager from 1 February 2026.

JTI has appointed Olesja Flores as its new Global Travel Retail General Manager, effective 1 February 2026, marking a leadership transition at a time of continued change and opportunity across the channel.

Flores steps into the role with a strong international background and broad experience across senior commercial and marketing positions within JTI. Over the course of her career, she has worked across multiple regions, building high-performing teams, strengthening strategic partnerships and delivering sustainable growth in complex and fast-moving markets.

Her appointment comes as global travel retail continues to evolve, shaped by renewed travel momentum, shifting adult consumer expectations and new ways for brands to engage shoppers across international touchpoints. Known internally for her collaborative approach and fresh perspective, Flores is expected to play a key role in guiding JTI’s travel retail strategy through its next phase.

“Travel retail thrives on momentum. It is one of the most dynamic and inspiring channels in our industry, and succeeding in it takes energy, innovation, and real drive,” said Flores. “I am excited to lead a bold and engaged team and to work closely with our partners to keep pushing boundaries and meeting the expectations of an increasingly diverse and fast-evolving global audience. I would like to thank Claudio for his leadership and the strong foundations he has built over the past three years, which position us well for the next phase of growth.”

Flores succeeds Claudio Ferreira, who has led JTI’s Global Travel Retail business for the past three years and has now been appointed General Manager for JTI’s Iberia cluster.

“Olesja is a highly respected leader with a truly global mindset,” said Claudio Ferreira. “She brings together strategic focus, creativity, and a natural ability to energise teams and partnerships. I am confident she will continue to strengthen JTI’s position in Global Travel Retail and help shape its next chapter.”

Olesja Flores will be based in Dubai, underlining the strategic importance of the Middle East as a hub for JTI’s global travel retail operations.

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