Roy Downes is to leave the Generation Group at the end of December, after nearly 13 years as International Director of Generation Development, the sales and marketing arm of the Swedish travel retail analyst.

Downes, who has worked for Generation on a self-employed basis since March 1997, innovated significant changes to Generation's flagship title Best & Most, and was instrumental in the introduction of focused printed media for the wider dissemination of Generation statistical reports and more recently was a major contributor to the development of TREND, his concept of an industry news media.

The 2005 launch of the TREND title brought Generation into mainstream industry news publishing in partnership with The Travel Retail Business.

‘We are very grateful for all of Roy's contributions to our business over the years. His innovative and creative mind has been a huge inspiration to us all in achieving ever greater objectives in terms of products and services offered the trade’, says Yngve Bia, President Generation Research.

Downes, renowned throughout the industry for his firm handshake – also known as 'the Rottweiler grip' – plans to remain within travel retail publishing 'provided I can find a suitable challenge'.

The Travel Retail Business' Managing Editor Doug Newhouse added: ‘We all wish Roy well in his new endeavours and thank him for his considerable contribution over many years.’