Left to right: Nuno Moreira; Thabet Musleh; Grant Fleming.

Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of two experienced DF&TR industry executives.

Grant Fleming has joined as Vice President, Food & Beverage, while Nuno Moreira is named as Vice President, Strategy & Commercial, with immediate effect.

Both report to Thabet Musleh, Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice President.

Former APTRA President Fleming will be responsible for the Hamad International Airport based travel retailer’s F&B division, including joint ventures and concessionaires, tasked with building QDF’s market position.

Fleming brings more than 25 years’ experience in travel retail and F&B operations managing large teams in diverse markets with a focus on driving operations and revenue and enhancing customer experiences through innovation.

His resume includes 15 years with Lagardère Travel Retail in posts including Head of Strategic Partnerships APAC and Vice President of Development Strategy, Innovations and Sustainable Development in Paris.

Most recently, has worked in Singapore for Compass Group, where he was Director of Operations APAC for Google.

Annual growth at QDF exceeded +59% year-on-year during its financial year (April 2022 – March 2023), driven by a more than 49% uplift in sales per passenger.

As reported, Fleming departed the travel retail industry in 2020 after stepping down as Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) President and Head of Strategic Development – Asia.

Meanwhile, Nuno Moreira will head QDF’s procurement, business intelligence and commercial functions with a strategic focus on maintaining profitability and growing the company’s reputation in airport retail.

A 20-year career in travel retail and commercial operations covers roles with Heathrow Airport, Nuance Duty Free and Dufry Group as Global Head of Category for Tobacco.

Most recently, he held the position of Extra-Aero Commercial Director for ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal.

Thabet Musleh, QDF Senior Vice President, commented: “Team QDF prides itself on delivering the highest standards and that all starts with the quality of our people. In Grant and Nuno, we have added two outstanding professionals who bring an exceptional blend of expertise, experience, and energy to our award-wining team.

“I’m delighted to welcome such high-calibre leaders on board and look forward to their positive impact on our business.

“These roles are all about pushing and growing the business further and building on the great work the QDF team have done in doubling the business since 2019. Together, we look forward to connecting with our partners and peers as we seek to create a new travel, shopping and dining experience for the next generation of travellers.”