The Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) has announced its new board for the 2023-2025 term, with incumbent President Sherif Toulan re-elected at its Annual General Meeting in Dubai on 4 April.

Charged with guiding the trade association’s strategic direction, the group will promote the growth and development of duty free and travel retail in the region.

ARI Middle East CEO Rob Marriott has been named Vice-President, with Karl Raphael, CEO and Chairman at Aphrodite duty free store, appointed Secretary General. Dubai Duty Free’s Senior Vice President Finance, Bernard Creed, takes the role of Treasurer. 

The remainder of the Board comprises Isaias Diaz Garcia, General Manager Africa at Dufry Group; Tarek Hamila, Hamila Duty Free Owner; Roger Jackson, Organico Solutions Managing Director; Erik Juul-Mortensen, TFWA President; Mazen Kaddoura, Mars Wrigley Travel Retail Airports Channel Development Head; Milika Kalyati, Corporate Affairs & Communications Manager at JT International SA; Haitham Al Majali, Jordan Duty Free CEO; Munif Mohammed, CEO at Lagardère Travel Retail Middle East; Alexandre Tabacoff, General Manager Middle East, India, and Subcontinent at Dufry Group; and Bernard Schlafstein, Gebr. Heinemann’s Sales Director Middle East & Africa.

In addition, four committees have been formed to support the work of the MEADFA Board:

Advocacy Committee: Rob Marriott (Chair), Isaias Diaz Garcia, Roger Jackson (Liquor Task Force Chair), Mazen Kaddoura (Confectionery Task Force Chair), Travel Retail, Milika Kalyati (Tobacco Task Force Chair).

Membership Committee: Roger Jackson (Chair), Bernard Creed, Karl Raphael, Alexandre Tabacoff.

Sustainability Committee: Dr. Munif Mohammed (Chair), Bernard Creed, Renzo Radice, Bernard Schlafstein, Olympia Pineda.

Awards Committee: Dr. Bernard Creed (Chair), Sherif Toulan, Rob Marriott, Isaias Diaz Garcia.

Toulan: We will ‘defend’ the industry

“I am honoured to have been re-elected as President for the new term and would like to express my gratitude to our MEADFA members for their continued trust and support,” Sherif Toulan said. 

“Our Board includes a talented and diverse group of professionals, whose collective expertise and dedication to the travel retail industry will be instrumental to the Association’s growth and development over the coming years. 

“Together with our members, we will defend and promote the industry in the region, advance its growth, and continuously raise awareness of its contribution to the global economy.”

Toulan continued: “I would also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Ms. Isabel Zarza, Mr. Nicolas Van Brandt, and Mr. Philip Haine who have served on the Board for many years. Their invaluable service and dedication have been instrumental in advancing the Association’s mission. We are truly grateful for their hard work, leadership, and commitment.”

Rob Marriott, newly-elected MEADFA Vice-President, added: “I am honoured to work alongside the MEADFA Board and Officers to represent and defend the interests of the travel retail industry. 

“I am fully committed to ensuring that our advocacy efforts are effective and impactful, promoting the progress, innovation, and growth that empowers the industry to achieve its full potential.”

At last year’s MEADFA Conference, held in Bahrain from 27-29 November, Toulan said the trade association was “determined to play a central role in the resurgence of duty free and travel retail in the Middle East and Africa region”.