SPEAKERS

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Martin Moodie is that rarest of species – a flying Kiwi. The New Zealand-born writer, editor and commentator has spent much of the past 39 years in the sky or in airports, researching, reporting and commentating on the travel retail sector that he loves.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Martin Moodie created The Moodie Davitt Report (then called The Moodie Report) in 2002, driving it to prominence from a start-up to the leading provider of business intelligence for the travel retail and airport commercial revenue sectors. He also conceived The Trinity Forum and the Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Conference & Awards.

A New Zealander, now based out of London and Hong Kong, Moodie has been involved in this industry for 37 years. From 1992 he was Editor and, from 1996, Managing Director of Duty-Free News International.

In 2002 he took the fateful decision to step out on his own and develop travel retail’s first digitally led media and business intelligence service. Within two years The Moodie Report was market leader, a position it has since strengthened.

Today The Moodie Davitt Report ranks as one of the world’s most successful business-to-business multimedia titles, enjoying strong readership and respect levels all around the globe. It has embraced the digital age with zeal and is synonymous with innovative, immediate and highly visual coverage of major industry developments. In 2017, Martin Moodie received the Frontier Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

After emigrating to the UK in 1987 (he still can’t fathom why), Martin stumbled into the drinks and duty free industry at US publication Impact International before playing a key role in developing Duty-Free News International through the 1990s, where he became Editor and later Managing Director.

In 2002, convinced of the future of digital publishing, he made the fateful decision to go it alone and launched a humble 7-page pdf newsletter called The Moodie Report. The company’s ‘Worldwide Headquarters’ was his garden shed in London, his only staff four goldfish referred to as his Finnish team members.

The rest is history. Within three years The Moodie Report (now The Moodie Davitt Report) was the market leader ahead of stiff multi-national competition and both it and he haven’t looked back since.

A lover of good wine (particularly from his homeland), the All Blacks, Bob Dylan, John Prine, Leonard Cohen, Mark Knopfler, Johnny Cash, John Steinbeck and F.Scott Fitzgerald, he plays the piano shockingly, listens to music incessantly, works around the clock and never admits to defeat. 68 going on 12, he now lives in Hong Kong, China, overlooking the South China sea.

His planned epitaph is ‘Free of duty at last’.

Dermot Davitt

President & Editorial Director

The Moodie Davitt Report

Dermot Davitt is one of the most experienced editors and commentators working in the travel retail media. He joined what was then The Moodie Report in April 2006 as Deputy Publisher, becoming a shareholder and President in August 2015.

Dermot Davitt

President & Editorial Director

The Moodie Davitt Report

He manages the company’s flourishing Print Division and also plays a key editorial role on the industry’s leading daily business intelligence website, www.MoodieDavittReport.com, and the leading online journal, The Moodie Davitt e-Zine. He is also actively involved in many of the company’s other business streams, from research to consultancy.

Previously Dermot spent ten years with trade magazine Duty-Free News International, six of those years as Editor-in-Chief, having joined in 1996. Based in Galway, Ireland, Dermot is also a highly experienced conference moderator. He has chaired and moderated many of the travel retail industry’s leading events over the years, including FAB, The Trinity Forum, the annual MEADFA Conference, the TFWA Asia Pacific Conference, the Nordic Travel Retail Seminar and many others.

Dermot Davitt

President & Editorial Director

The Moodie Davitt Report

Hari Marar

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

Bangalore International Airport Limited

A seasoned aviation professional, Hari Marar

brings to the table nearly three decades of experience, having served the

industry in various capacities with great distinction.

Alina Alam

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Mitti Social Initiatives Foundation

Alina Alam is the Founder and CEO of Mitti Café, the world's largest chain of cafés managed by people with physical, intellectual and psychiatric disabilities.

At 23, with no startup capital and facing countless rejections, Alina relied on community support to bring her vision to life. From donated equipment to a simple table under an umbrella, her initiative grew into the world’s largest chain of cafés run entirely by persons with disabilities.

Mitti Café works towards economic independence and dignity for persons with disabilities. The organisation’s outreach initiative helps create awareness about inclusion and disability rights.

Alina’s journey with Mitti Café began with a dream to showcase the abilities of individuals with disabilities and a belief in equal opportunities for all. Today, Mitti Café operates in nearly 63 locations across India, including prestigious sites such as the Supreme Court, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Rashtrapati Nilayam and major airports.

Leaders such as Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Honourable President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu, Honouable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy have lauded Alina’s efforts, with the Defence Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker inaugurating Mitti Cafés, sending a powerful message of inclusion.

In 2024, Alina received the National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities from the President of India. She has also been listed on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list and has received national and international recognition from the United Nations, Commonwealth, NITI Aayog, UNESCO, Rotary, and TieCon for her impactful work.

Under Alina’s leadership, Mitti Café has created over 6,500 livelihoods, served over 21.8 million meals and provided 8.8 million ‘Karuna Meals’ to vulnerable communities.

For Alina, Mitti Café is not just a café – it’s a global movement for dignity, empowerment and inclusion, aiming to transform a billion lives.

Hari Marar

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

Bangalore International Airport Limited

A seasoned aviation professional, Hari Marar brings to the table nearly three decades of experience, having served the industry in various capacities with great distinction.

After his stint with Jet Airways, Hari joined BIAL as Head of Daily Operations and thereafter he has held key positions such as Chief Operations Officer, President – Airport and Executive Director & President.

Hari is a part of the core leadership team at BIAL that successfully licensed and operationalised the Greenfield Airport project in Bengaluru. In this role, he was instrumental in implementing several modern, state-of-the-art airport management systems, for the first time in India, that resulted in improved operational efficiency of Kempegowda International Airport. He has been instrumental in shaping the airport into a next-generation gateway that seamlessly blends technology, sustainability and customer-centric innovations. With a steadfast commitment to operational excellence, he has led Bengaluru Airport through significant expansions, including the development of Terminal 2, which stands as a testament to India’s rich heritage, sustainability leadership and cutting-edge design.

As Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of BIAL, Hari is at the helm of one of India’s most dynamic and fastest-growing aviation hubs – Bengaluru Airport.

Under his leadership, the airport has evolved into a global benchmark in airport infrastructure, passenger experience and operational excellence. His vision is to redefine the airport experience by making Bengaluru more than just a transit hub but a destination in itself, reflecting the culture, innovation and aspirations of Bengaluru.

Thabet Musleh

Chief Retail & Hospitality Office

Qatar Airways

Thabet Musleh is Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer at Qatar Airways, overseeing the Group’s retail and food & beverage operations through Qatar Duty Free (QDF), as well as Internal Media Services, Dhiafatina Hotels, Qatar Airways’ global lounge portfolio, and Qatar Aircraft Catering Company.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Thabet Musleh

Chief Retail & Hospitality Officer

Qatar Airways

Since joining Qatar Airways in 2015, Thabet has played an integral role in the development of QDF’s retail and hospitality strategy at Hamad International Airport. Under his leadership, QDF has expanded to a workforce of more than 4,000 employees and has supported the airport’s growth as a major international retail and dining hub.

During this period, QDF has recorded strong commercial performance, with a focus on experience-led hospitality, a broad mix of retail and dining concepts, and the introduction of new formats and partnerships across the airport’s commercial areas.

Thabet’s contribution to the travel retail sector has been recognised by industry peers, including being named among The Moodie Davitt Report’s People of the Year from 2021 to 2025. In 2023, he also received an Outstanding Contribution Award at the Frontier Awards, acknowledging his role in the continued evolution of Hamad International Airport’s retail and dining offer.

Thabet brings nearly 20 years of experience in travel retail. Before joining Qatar Airways, he spent ten years with World Duty Free Group, holding senior operational roles at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports.

At Qatar Duty Free, he was appointed Head of Retail Operations in 2015, before being promoted to lead the company in January 2018, and subsequently held the roles of Vice President Operations (2018), Vice President (2021), Senior Vice President (2023), before assuming his current position as Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer of Qatar Airways.

Kari Daniels

Chief Executive Officer

SSP UK and Ireland, Netherlands

Kari Daniels is currently CEO SSP UK Ireland and Netherlands, a Non-Executive Director of Topps Tiles (Member of Audit, Nominations and Remuneration Committees), on the Advisory Board of WiTHL and a member of the CEO Forum at the IGD.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Kari Daniels

Chief Executive Officer

SSP UK and Ireland, Netherlands

Her career spans over 30 years in retail with experience in the multi-channel food, general merchandise and clothing retail business. Her career has primarily centred in commercial and marketing in both global retail organisations and branded manufacturing in FTSE 100 FMCG businesses.

Prior to SSP Kari was at Tesco for 20 years and worked in Executive Director roles across food and general merchandise in UK and European businesses across various commercial and marketing roles. Her last role at Tesco was CEO for the Irish business for four years, successfully steering it through COVID and Brexit. Prior to Tesco, Kari was Commercial Director at Superdrug and on the Executive Committee; and Marketing Manager at SC Johnson and Wella. She started her career in clothing at Arcadia.

Kari is a member of the Cancer Research UK Corporate Board and Great Ormond Street (Children’s) Hospital Corporate Board.

Varun Kapur

Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer

TFS

Varun Kapur holds the position of Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer at Travel Food Services Limited (TFS), headquartered in Mumbai, India. With over a decade of hands-on experience, he is responsible for overall strategy and management of the business at TFS.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Varun Kapur

Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer

TFS

TFS currently operates more than 500 food & beverage outlets across 20 airports throughout India and South East Asia. It also manages over 35 international airport lounges spread across travel hubs and is the leading player in the fast-growing Indian airport travel quick-service restaurant and lounge sectors.

George Mboya

Chief Executive Officer

SSP America

George Mboya is a global business leader with more than three decades of executive experience across travel, hospitality, retail and food service. As Chief Executive Officer of SSP America, he leads the company’s strategic direction, operational performance and long-term growth shaping a business focused on delivering high-quality experiences, building strong partnerships and creating sustainable value across a complex global ecosystem.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

George Mboya

Chief Executive Officer

SSP America

Over the course of his career, George has developed a reputation for disciplined leadership, commercial clarity and a collaborative approach that brings together clients, brand partners and joint-venture stakeholders. He has led large-scale, multi-market operations across North America, navigating shifting consumer expectations, evolving travel patterns and an increasingly dynamic operating environment.

A significant portion of George’s leadership foundation was built in senior finance roles, including as a former Chief Financial Officer. This background continues to shape his perspective as a CEO bringing a rigorous approach to performance, a deep understanding of cost and capital dynamics, and an ability to assess complex operating environments through both a commercial and financial lens.

George is known for his strategic mindset, steady execution, and ability to build resilient businesses in a constantly shifting global landscape. He regularly engages with industry peers on topics including aviation growth, commercial performance and the future of airport hospitality. He brings more than 30 years’ experience in senior commercial and finance roles, including leadership positions at Compass Group and Sodexo in both the USA and Canada.

He holds an MBA in Finance and is both a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant.

Alina Alam

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Mitti Social Initiatives Foundation

Alina Alam is the Founder and CEO of Mitti Café, the world's largest chain of cafés managed by people with physical, intellectual and psychiatric disabilities.

Alina Alam

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Mitti Social Initiatives Foundation

Alina Alam is the Founder and CEO of Mitti Café, the world's largest chain of cafés managed by people with physical, intellectual and psychiatric disabilities.

Mitti Café works towards economic independence and dignity for persons with disabilities. The organisation’s outreach initiative helps create awareness about inclusion and disability rights.

Under Alina’s leadership, Mitti Café has created over 6,500 livelihoods, served over 21.8 million meals and provided 8.8 million ‘Karuna Meals’ to vulnerable communities.

For Alina, Mitti Café is not just a café – it’s a global movement for dignity, empowerment and inclusion, aiming to transform a billion lives.

Alina Alam

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Mitti Social Initiatives Foundation

Alina Alam is the Founder and CEO of Mitti Café, the world's largest chain of cafés managed by people with physical, intellectual and psychiatric disabilities.

Mitti Café works towards economic independence and dignity for persons with disabilities. The organisation’s outreach initiative helps create awareness about inclusion and disability rights.

Under Alina’s leadership, Mitti Café has created over 6,500 livelihoods, served over 21.8 million meals and provided 8.8 million ‘Karuna Meals’ to vulnerable communities.

For Alina, Mitti Café is not just a café – it’s a global movement for dignity, empowerment and inclusion, aiming to transform a billion lives.

Walter Seib

Chief Executive Officer Northern, Eastern and

Central Europe

Avolta

Walter Seib is CEO of Northern, Eastern and Central Europe for Avolta, the world’s leading travel retail and F&B player. Avolta’s geographically diverse network caters to up to 2.5 billion passengers each year, with 5,100 travel retail and food & beverage stores across 70 countries.

Alina Alam

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Mitti Social Initiatives Foundation

Alina Alam is the Founder and CEO of Mitti Café, the world's largest chain of cafés managed by people with physical, intellectual and psychiatric disabilities.

Mitti Café works towards economic independence and dignity for persons with disabilities. The organisation’s outreach initiative helps create awareness about inclusion and disability rights.

Under Alina’s leadership, Mitti Café has created over 6,500 livelihoods, served over 21.8 million meals and provided 8.8 million ‘Karuna Meals’ to vulnerable communities.

For Alina, Mitti Café is not just a café – it’s a global movement for dignity, empowerment and inclusion, aiming to transform a billion lives.

Walter Seib

Chief Executive Officer Northern, Eastern and Central Europe

Avolta

Walter assumed his current position in March 2023 following the business combination of Dufry and Autogrill. He partners with general managers across the 17 countries in the business unit to enhance growth and operational excellence and collaborates with global functions to drive value.

Prior to joining Avolta, Seib had been CEO at HMSHost International since 2012, responsible for the Northern European, Asia Pacific, Indian and Middle Eastern markets. Before that, he served as CEO of leading Dutch fast-casual restaurant chain La Place.

Walter had previously spent time with HMSHost International from 1993, when he held roles at Schiphol Airport and HMSHost Netherlands. He was also Senior Vice President and has been on the Senior Executive Team for HMSHost Corporation.

An active member in the foodservice industry, Walter has served as Chairman of the Board for the FoodService Institute Netherlands since January 2020, as well as member of the Supervisory Board of ISS Netherlands, HAK and the Het Rijk Golf courses. He served as a member of the Advisory Board for the Hotel Management School Maastricht until end of 2025, where he also gives biannual guest lectures.

Throughout his career, Walter has preserved his customer-centric approach, building it into the company culture as he brings his unique brand of attention to his people, his business partners and importantly, his travellers.

Born in Vienna, Austria, Walter studied at the Gastgewerbefachschule School of Hotel Management and began his professional career with management roles at Wescho Gastronomie and Mövenpick.

George Bennet Kuruvilla

Vice President Hospitality & Chief Executive Officer

Bangalore International Airport Limited & Bangalore Airport Services Limited

With an illustrious career spanning over 32 years, George Bennet Kuruvilla is a seasoned hospitality leader who has made a significant mark across national and international luxury hotel landscapes.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

George Bennet Kuruvilla

Vice President Hospitality & Chief Executive Officer

Bangalore International Airport Limited & Bangalore Airport Services Limited

With an illustrious career spanning over 32 years, George Bennet Kuruvilla is a seasoned hospitality leader who has made a significant mark across national and international luxury hotel landscapes. Currently serving as Vice President – Hospitality at Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and the Chief Executive Officer of Bangalore Airport Services Limited (BASL), he is at the helm of redefining airport hospitality in India.

George has held senior leadership positions with globally renowned hotel groups, including Marriott, Oberoi, Taj, Radisson, Hyatt Hotels and MGM Muthu Hotels Europe, leading large-scale operations and steering high-performing teams across diverse geographies. Prior to joining BIAL, he was General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, where he played a pivotal role in elevating the property to international acclaim.

An alumnus of IHM Mumbai, George began his journey in hospitality in 1992 as a management trainee with The Oberoi Group, after completing his post-graduate diploma from the prestigious Oberoi Centre for Learning and Development. He further honed his leadership capabilities by completing the General Managers Program at Cornell University, Ithaca.

More than just a hospitality expert, George is a visionary and innovative thinker who brings a people-first and community-driven approach to everything he does. Known for his empathetic leadership, sustainable mindset and forward-looking strategies, he has consistently championed initiatives that blend excellence with responsibility – setting new benchmarks for modern hospitality.

His contributions continue to shape and inspire the future of hospitality within and beyond the airport ecosystem.

Payal Khanna

Founder, Visionary and Creative Strategist

Aura Dezyne

Payal Khanna is the Founder, Visionary and Creative Strategist at Aura Dezyne, a Mumbai-based design studio known for crafting immersive experiences.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Payal Khanna

Founder, Visionary and Creative Strategist

Aura Dezyne

Payal Khanna is the Founder, Visionary and Creative Strategist at Aura Dezyne, a Mumbai-based design studio known for crafting immersive experiences.

With two decades of experience, she has led the design of over 600 projects across India and internationally, ranging from state-of-the-art film studios and luxury residences to corporate offices, airports and hospitality destinations.

Payal’s journey with airports began in 2009 at the inception of Travel Food Services, where she played a pivotal role in conceptualising some of the earliest and most iconic F&B formats, kiosk concepts and lounge experiences. From curating chaos zones to designing experiential hospitality hubs, her work reflects a rare understanding of how airports can inspire, engage and comfort.

Over the years, Payal has led design across major terminals, with a focus on functionality and emotional connection. She has shaped airport hospitality design, infusing luxury and purpose – crafting spaces that serve millions in transit.

Notably, she designed the 080 Domestic Lounge at Bangalore International Airport for BIAL, a space celebrated for its immersive narrative and awarded as one of the best airport lounges at the 2024 FAB Awards, reflecting Payal’s ability to infuse regional culture, storytelling and hospitality-forward thinking into dynamic, emotionally intelligent spaces. She also led the design of the award-winning 080 International Lounge, a concept-driven experience celebrating the richness, diversity and spirit of India. Together, these lounges earned global recognition, including Best Airport Lounge and Sense of Place honours at the FAB Awards.

For Payal, designing at airports is more than space planning. It is a sensory journey. She describes it as stepping into ‘La La Land’, a living theatre of people, movement and emotion. She transforms transit zones into meaningful, memorable environments.

A strong believer in soulful design, Payal creates spaces that go beyond aesthetics to forge emotional connections and lasting memories. Her latest work includes GATE Z, a new youth-focused lounge at Bangalore International Airport, designed to reflect the aspirations, energy and evolving travel habits of a new generation of travellers.

Rajeev Panjwani

Global Head

ARAYA Lounges by Travel Food Services

Rajeev Panjwani is the Global Head of ARAYA Lounges by Travel Food Services (TFS), where he leads business development, strategic partnerships and the growth of premium airport lounge experiences across international markets.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Rajeev Panjwani

Global Head

ARAYA Lounges by Travel Food Servicess

With over three decades of experience spanning hospitality, travel retail and customer experience, he has held senior leadership roles with renowned organisations including Coriander Leaf, SilverNeedle Hospitality and Wyndham Worldwide.

An MBA from the National University of Singapore and a graduate of The Oberoi School of Hotel Management, Rajeev is recognised for combining strategic vision with operational excellence to create world-class hospitality experiences for modern travellers.

Vikas Sharma

Group Chief Executive Officer

Encalm Hospitality

Vikas Sharma is the Group Chief Executive Officer of Encalm, leading the organisation’s growth and strategic direction through innovation, operational excellence and guest-centric experiences.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Vikas Sharma

Chief Executive Officer

Encalm Hospitality

Vikas Sharma is the Group Chief Executive Officer of Encalm, leading the organisation's growth and strategic direction through innovation, operational excellence, and guest-centric experiences.

With over 25 years of leadership experience, he has held senior roles with globally renowned hospitality brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and Sheraton Hotels & Resorts.

An alumnus of INSEAD and IHM Gwalior, Vikas is spearheading Encalm's growth across airport hospitality and emerging business verticals, while building a people-first organisation committed to creating delightful experiences every time.

Jonathan Song

Chief Commercial Officer

Plaza Premium Group

As Chief Commercial Officer at Plaza Premium Group (PPG), Jonathan Song plays a leading role in shaping the future of global airport hospitality.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Jonathan Song

Chief Commercial Officer

Plaza Premium Group

As Chief Commercial Officer at Plaza Premium Group (PPG), Jonathan Song plays a leading role in shaping the future of global airport hospitality.

With over a decade at PPG, Jonathan oversees the company’s commercial strategy, driving growth across sales, business development, partnerships and analytics.

Representing the next generation of leadership at Plaza Premium Group, Jonathan builds on nearly three decades of the company’s pioneering work in independent lounge and airport hospitality solutions. He continues to champion innovation in technology, sustainability and human-centred design – advancing the company’s vision of making airport experiences better for everyone, everywhere.

Shubhra Misra

Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director

Voiceback Analytics

Shubhra Misra is the CEO and Managing Director of Voiceback Analytics, a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Data & AI and one of travel retail’s most specialised analytics firms.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Shubhra Misra

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

Voiceback Analytics

Shubhra Misra is the CEO and Managing Director of Voiceback Analytics, a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Data & AI and one of travel retail’s most specialised analytics firms.

Under Shubhra’s leadership, Voiceback has built AI-powered data products spanning pricing intelligence, sales operations analytics, customer engagement and merchandising – deployed across airports, duty-free operators and consumer brands in India, the Middle East and beyond.

Voiceback’s technology stack is built on Microsoft Azure – spanning data engineering, data analytics, systems development, Power BI and Generative AI integration across models. Voiceback is also a Power BI Showcase Partner of Microsoft. The analytical rigour underpinning Voiceback’s products draws on Shubhra’s deep background in quantitative research, built across senior roles at ORG-MARG (now AC Nielsen), Blackstone MR (now Synovate) and Tata Global Beverages.

An MBA from IIM Lucknow, she is a regular voice on AI and data strategy at multiple industry forums.

Nishith Pathak

Managing Director

Accenture

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Nishith Pathak

Managing Director

Accenture

Nishith is a seasoned technology and AI leader with over two decades of experience and one of the most decorated figures in the Microsoft ecosystem. He was named India’s first AI MVP and has received the Microsoft AI MVP award eight times – the highest globally. Microsoft has also handpicked him to serve as a Microsoft Regional Director for the past ten years, a distinction reserved for a select group of technology leaders worldwide, recognising his deep cross-platform expertise and leadership in the technology community.

Nishith has authored seven international technical books, the three most recent focused on AI and were published by Springer (US). He is also a frequent industry speaker known for shaping enterprise-wide AI and innovation strategies that empower architects and engineering leaders at scale.

Nishith currently serves as Managing Director at Accenture, where he heads AI for the Accenture Microsoft Business Group.

Manishi Sanwal

Founder

Voiceback Analytic

Manishi Sanwal is a travel retail professional and technology enthusiast with deep expertise in building brands, scaling global retail operations, and shaping strategic growth across emerging markets.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Manishi Sanwal

Founder

Voiceback Analytic

Manishi founded Voiceback Analytics, a Microsoft-partnered Data & AI company, and grew it into a 50+ member team delivering AI-ML, Power BI and data engineering solutions of enterprise scale.

Previously, Manishi has held leadership roles at LVMH, DFS Group, Flemingo and Adani Airports Holding Limited.

A chemical engineer from IIT BHU and MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, Manishi combines operational precision with a flair for luxury branding, positioning him with the ability to build businesses from the ground up.

Naresh Sharm

Chief Executive Officer

India Retails & Hospitality Private Limited

Naresh Sharma is a visionary entrepreneur with over 30 years of diverse experience across industries such as retail, aviation, consumer products and alcohol. His strong leadership skills and hands-on approach seamlessly blend strategic foresight with precise execution.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Naresh Sharma

Chief Executive Officer

India Retails & Hospitality Private Limited

With acute business acumen and deep marketing understanding, he is a seasoned entrepreneur who not only founded businesses but also built them from the ground up. Under his guidance, brands have transformed their position into industry leaders. Spearheading India Retails & Hospitality Private Limited (IRHPL) as CEO, Naresh’s dynamic, forward-thinking leadership consistently fosters innovation, operational excellence and sustainable business growth. Under his vision, IRHPL has rapidly expanded its proprietary retail portfolio with concept brands including Artport, Mishthaan, Toycraft, The Olfactive, Artport Accessories, Neo Travel, Lumière and Lamourde Choc, creating distinctive shopping experiences for travellers across multiple airports.

Through Radiance Aero Hospitality, the F&B division of IRHPL, Naresh has pioneered India’s first airport-based microbreweries with the launch of Susegado at Goa Manohar International and Barley & Grapes at Hyderabad Rajiv Ghandi International, redefining the F&B landscape in travel retail.

The division’s curated portfolio seamlessly blends proprietary craft beverage experiences with partnerships from globally recognised F&B brands, including KFC, Pizza Hut and Theobroma, while welcoming the upcoming FiLLi Cafe. These ventures exemplify his commitment to transforming airports into destinations of culinary and experiential excellence.

Prior to his stint at IRHPL, Naresh played an instrumental role in the creation of successful alcohol brands and the transformation of high-profile organisations, including Landmark Retail across Saudi Arabia and Oman, Reliance Retail, Mumbai Airport, Adani One Super App, and United Spirits.

Rajeesh V R

Vice President - Technology & Food Quality

Paradise Food Court Pvt. Ltd (Paradise Biryani)

Rajeesh V R is a Strategic Technology and Food Quality Leader with over 15 years’ experience driving transformation and operational excellence across the F&B, retail and logistics industries.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Rajeesh V R

Vice President - Technology & Food Quality

Paradise Food Court Pvt. Ltd (Paradise Biryani)

Rajeesh V R is a Strategic Technology and Food Quality Leader with over 15 years’ experience driving transformation and operational excellence across the F&B, retail and logistics industries.

At Paradise Biryani, he works as a key leadership partner to the CEO, playing a central role in the company’s ongoing business transformation across technology, operations and quality.

Rajeesh brings a unique cross-functional lens to his role, applying technology, data and process engineering to drive quality and operational excellence across the business. Beyond technology, he leads the Food Quality function at Paradise Biryani, ensuring consistency, safety and high standards across the brand’s operations.

He additionally brings industrial engineering principles into the mix – streamlining processes, eliminating inefficiencies and building the operational rigour that underpins the company’s growth.

Ömür Akkor

Chef, Author & Gastronomy Researcher

BTA

Ömür Akkor is a Turkish chef, author and cultural researcher widely recognised for bringing the deep-rooted culinary heritage of Anatolia to a global audience. He has built a multidisciplinary career that bridges gastronomy, history and academia. Trained in economics, prehistory and geography, Ömür approaches cuisine not only as a craft but as a cultural narrative shaped over millennia.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Ömür Akkor

Chef, Author & Gastronomy Researcher

BTA

Throughout his career, he has explored and shared 12,000 years of Anatolian culinary heritage. Ömür is the author of more than 30 books, including Ottoman Cuisine and The Oldest Dishes of

Anatolia, with several titles translated into multiple languages. His work has been recognised with three ‘Best in the World’ awards at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

Ömür is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Anatolian Gastronomy Foundation. In addition to his publishing work, he has produced documentaries for national and international broadcasters, contributed to projects with BBC and CNN, and created nearly 500 television episodes.

His culinary concepts – including Havuş, Natolia, Otto Bite, Nahita and Taste of Anatolia by Ömür Akkor at Antalya Airport – offer contemporary interpretations of regional traditions.

Ömür has collaborated with leading institutions including Harvard, Yale, the University of Liverpool and the University of Milan, and has represented Anatolian cuisine in international cultural initiatives. With experience spanning more than 40 countries, he continues to share his work through seminars, events, and cross-cultural collaborations.

Alongside his professional work, he is engaged in social impact initiatives, supporting local producers and contributing to community-focused projects.

Baha Bülbül

Chief Executive Officer

BTA

Baha Bülbül has been at the forefront of BTA’s journey for more than two decades, playing a central role in shaping the company into a leading global player in travel catering and hospitality.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Baha Bülbül

Chief Executive Officer

BTA

Baha Bülbül has been at the forefront of BTA’s journey for more than two decades, playing a central role in shaping the company into a leading global player in travel catering and hospitality.

He began his career at BTA in 1999 as Cost Control and IT Manager, laying the foundation for data-driven management and operational efficiency. In 2006, he assumed the role of Business Development Director, driving the expansion of BTA’s brand portfolio and building strategic alliances that reinforced the company’s international presence. Between 2011 and 2020, Baha successfully led BTA Seaways as General Manager, strengthening the company’s position in maritime catering by delivering service excellence to millions of passengers.

His appointment as Chief Operating Officer in 2020 marked a new era of operational transformation, as he oversaw large-scale airport operations across multiple countries with a strong emphasis on performance, innovation and guest satisfaction.

Since May 2023, Baha has been serving as Chief Executive Officer of BTA, steering the company

through a new chapter of growth. His leadership focuses on globalisation, digitalisation and sustainability, ensuring that BTA remains at the cutting edge of the travel hospitality sector. By combining innovative service models with value-driven projects, Baha has positioned BTA as a brand synonymous with quality, responsibility and guest-centric excellence.

He holds a degree in Tourism Management from Bilkent University and an MBA from Istanbul University in Türkiye.

Dr. Frank Quante

General Manager

Fraport TAV Antalya Airport

Dr Frank Quante is an internationally experienced General Manager with experience in the sectors of energy, telecommunication, IT and airport operations. He worked in C-Level positions across Germany, Bulgaria and Türkiye.

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Founder & Chairman

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Dr Frank Quante

General Manager

Fraport TAV Antalya Airport

Frank joined Fraport in July 2020 as CEO of Fraport Twin Star Airport Management, responsible for the operations of Burgas and Varna Airport in Bulgaria.

Starting in August 2025, he took over the position as General Manager of Fraport TAV Antalya Airport, the company operating the terminals of Antalya Airport.

Frank is married with two children.

Philipp Ahrens

Senior Vice President Center Management

Vienna Airport

Philipp Ahrens joined Vienna Airport as Senior Vice President Center Management in 2021. He oversees approximately 100 units covering retail, F&B and services at the travel hub.

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Founder & Chairman

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Philipp Ahrens

Senior Vice President Center Management

Vienna Airport

Philipp Ahrens joined Vienna Airport as Senior Vice President Center Management in 2021. He oversees approximately 100 units covering retail, F&B and services at the travel hub.

He has 30 years’ experience in the airport world, covering numerous operational, planning, consultative as well as commercial areas at Munich Airport and for four years at ACI Europe, with work experience in Europe, Middle East and Asia.

Philipp holds a Bachelor of European Law from the University of West London and an Aviation MBA from Danube University in Krems, Austria, where he is also a guest lecturer.

Philipp has been the Chairman of the ACI Europe Commercial Forum since 2022.

Jonathan Doughty

Managing Director

Viklari Consulting Limited

Jonathan Doughty has been in the foodservice industry for nearly 50 years, starting his career in a public house in Nottingham, England, aged 14. He was too young to serve drinks but earned his first wages sorting glass bottles. It was from this early age that he fellin love with food & beverage.

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Founder & Chairman

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Jonathan Doughty

Managing Director

Viklari Consulting Limited

These first experiences in the restaurant and bar industry became a consuming passion and Jonathan went on to train as a chef and then a professional manager in hotels and restaurants, completing his craft qualifications, then a Diploma and finally a Bachelor of Science Degree in Foodservice Management.

Having worked for Imperial Inns and Taverns, Trusthouse Forte, Whitbread, Mars, Masterfoods and Marriot in operations, sales and new concept development and store openings, Jonathan embarked on his consulting career with a small London practice, working on the first UK food courts, transit catering and inflight foodservice. In 1993, Jonathan started Coverpoint, the foodservice consulting business.

Coverpoint expanded progressively over 26 years and in that time provided advice to over 250 of the world’s best owners, operators, landlords and developers with projects being delivered in over 50 countries across all types of commercial property and transit locations.

Over this time, Jonathan became known as a leading thinker in his industry, with knowledge and insight into the performance of assets, brands, consumers and locations. He remains connected at the highest level with foodservice leaders and businesses across the world and with airport owners and operators, and property owners and managers in many countries.

In 2014 Coverpoint was sold to JLL, the professional property services business listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2017 Jonathan joined ECE as Global Head of Foodservice. He is now an independent consultant, still working with ECE, as well as providing consulting services to a number of other companies and locations, including airports and transit locations. He is currently engaged at Vienna Airport, Austria, as the Food & Beverage consultant assisting with the Southern Extension development and tendering process. The project is due for completion in 2027.

Jonathan is also a speaker and panel member at many of the industry conferences, this year including ACI in Berlin and PTE World in London.

He is married to Misha and together they have two young children as well as a dog and they live in the New Forest, Hampshire, England, where Jonathan is also a local councillor.

Éric Trichot

Managing Director

PT&M

Éric Trichot has been Managing Director of Public Tenders & Marketing (PT&M) since 2003.

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Founder & Chairman

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Éric Trichot

Managing Director

PT&M

Éric Trichot has been Managing Director of Public Tenders & Marketing (PT&M) since 2003.

Previously, he spent 12 years at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport as Vice President Commercial Development.

From 1991 to 1998, Éric was a teacher with first EDHEC Business School and then École Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (French Civil Aviation University) as Teacher of Strategic Marketing and Teacher of Airport Commercial Activity Management, respectively.

Éric earned a degree in International Policies from Institute of Political Sciences of Paris in 1987, a master’s degree in European Law from University Panthéon Sorbonne in 1988, followed by a PhD specialising in air transport in Paris in 1989.

Mark Angela

Director

Panoramic Advisory Ltd

Mark Angela has recently stepped back from a full-time role after 14 years with SSP in the food travel business, having run a number of regions (UK, Asia Pacific, EEME) as well as the Global Business Development and Commercial functions.

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Founder & Chairman

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Mark Angela

Director

Panoramic Advisory Ltd

He combines an interesting mix of FMCG and retail experience over a 40-year career running major food & beverage/hospitality businesses across a number of international markets.

From 1993 Mark spent 11 years in various roles across the UK, Germany, USA, New Zealand and Canada with Colgate-Palmolive.

He then took on the Group Managing Director position with UK pub chain Greene King, before moving to Pizza Express as CEO.

He joined SSP in 2012, spending 14 years in roles ranging from Strategy and Business Development Officer to CEO in the UK, EEME and Asia Pacific.

Mark is now acting in an advisory capacity in the food travel sector.

Sushanta Das

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

tRetail Labs

Sushanta Das is Founder and CEO of tRetail Labs, an AI research and technology company focused on the Visitor Economy, and creator of the nrtureAI Visitor Experience Intelligence platform.

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Founder & Chairman

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Sushanta Das

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

tRetail Labs

Sushanta Das is Founder and CEO of tRetail Labs, an AI research and technology company focused on the Visitor Economy, and creator of the nrtureAI Visitor Experience Intelligence platform.

His work focuses on understanding and improving the end-to-end traveller and visitor journey through visitor intelligence, behavioural science, customer experience and agentic AI.

With over two decades of global experience across aviation, travel, hospitality, food & beverage, commercial strategy and digital transformation, Sushanta is a recognised thought leader and industry practitioner helping organisations translate visitor insights into measurable commercial, operational and experience outcomes.

Dr Thorsten Merkle

Professor for Hospitality Management

Zurich University of Applied Sciences

Dr Thorsten Merkle is Professor for Hospitality Management at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences. His research focuses on food service innovation, climate-conscious hospitality, as well as airport food & beverage concessions.

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Founder & Chairman

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Dr Thorsten Merkle

Professor for Hospitality Management

Zurich University of Applied Sciences

Dr Merkle holds a PhD in business and management as well as an MBA and brings two decades of global experience in catering, global events and service excellence. A frequent speaker at international conferences, he advises airport operators and concessionaires on passenger experience, social reputation and climate-conscious cuisine.

Andreas Reichert

Managing Director

Allresto FlughafenMünchen Hotel und Gaststätten

Andreas Reichert has served as Managing Director of Allresto Flughafen München Hotel und Gaststätten GmbH since November 2018, a wholly owned subsidiary of Flughafen München GmbH. In this role, he is responsible for the strategic direction and further development of the company, which operates around 85% of the food & beverage outlets at Munich Airport.

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Founder & Chairman

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Andreas Reichert

Managing Director

Allresto Flughafen München Hotel und Gaststätten

Under his leadership, several innovative concepts and partnerships have been implemented. A standout example is in-house brand Breznsalzer in Oktober 2024, a bakery in the Munich Airport Center (MAC) that offers a wide range of baked goods, sandwiches, pastries and pretzels made from high-quality, regional ingredients.

Andreas oversaw the redesign of the Viktualienmarkt in the Terminal 2 satellite area. There, Aïda patisserie, dean&david and in-house brand Subralott offer fresh snacks, healthy dishes and sweet temptations. This diversity of brands helps enrich the culinary offering at Munich Airport.

Andreas’ commitment to innovation and quality is evident in Allresto’s technological innovation, such as the introduction of the ‘sell & pick’ platform, which enables data-driven management of operations. This makes processes more efficient, optimises workforce planning and reduces food waste.

For its achievements, Allresto has received multiple awards under Andreas’ leadership. At the FAB Awards 2025 in Barcelona, the company won prizes in three categories. In addition, Airbräu was honoured with the distinctions Excellent GenussKüche and Excellent Beer Culture as part of the Bavarian GenussKüche initiative.

Andreas’ leadership is characterised by a clear vision, a willingness to innovate, and a strong commitment to quality and sustainability. He emphasises close collaboration with partners to offer passengers at Munich Airport an outstanding culinary experience.

Michiel Arnouts

Food and Beverage Manager

Brussels Airport

Michiel Arnouts has built a career across aviation, hospitality and customer experience, bringing together expertise in commercial strategy, premium services and operational excellence.

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Founder & Chairman

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Michiel Arnouts

Food and Beverage Manager

Brussels Airport

Michiel Arnouts has built a career across aviation, hospitality and customer experience, bringing together expertise in commercial strategy, premium services and operational excellence.

Currently serving as F&B Manager at Brussels Airport, Michiel is responsible for overseeing and developing the airport’s food & beverage offering, and collaborating with partners and stakeholders to deliver innovative concepts and elevate the passenger experience. He strongly believes airports serve as gateways to a country’s culture, which can be effectively brought to life through a thoughtfully designed airport commercial programme.

Prior to joining Brussels Airport, Michiel gained experience at JetBlue, where he developed the airline’s lounge strategy and programme, including the development of its first lounge at JFK, while also contributing to customer experience initiatives and premium hospitality environments.

He holds a Master of Business Administration from KU Leuven.

Tarun Arora

Chief Commercial Officer - Non Aero

GMR Airports Limited

Tarun Arora has more than three decades of experience related to sales, marketing, projects, business development, operations, logistics and supply chain.

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Founder & Chairman

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Tarun Arora

Chief Commercial Officer - Non Aero

GMR Airports Limited

Tarun Arora has more than three decades of experience related to sales, marketing, projects, business development, operations, logistics and supply chain.

His extensive professional background includes working in different arenas of the industry, including retail, hospitality, duty free and consulting across numerous firms.

Tarun has been associated with GMR Group for the past 12 years. Currently, he holds the position of Sector Chief Commercial Officer for Non Aeronautical Businesses, where he oversees duty free, retail, food & beverage, terminal hotel, lounges, foreign exchange, car park, ground transportation, and advertising and promotions for all GMR Airports across the country.

Tarun is an engineering graduate, with a master’s degree in business administration.

Abhishek Gupta

Vice President, Customer Development

Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia

Abhishek Gupta is Vice President, Customer Development for Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia Operating Unit (OU). In this role, Abhishek leads the region’s customer-development agenda, driving value growth and strengthening long-term strategic partnerships with key customers across diverse channels, including Digital Commerce, Modern Trade, Food Services & On-Premise, Travel and Government Institutions, among others.

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Founder & Chairman

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Abhishek Gupta

Vice President, Customer Development

Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia

He plays a pivotal role in building system capability, shaping commercial strategies an execution excellence to enable sustainable business development and transformation across the region.

Abhishek has spent over 20 years within the Coca-Cola network, building deep expertise across customer management and commercial operations. Prior to his current stint in the Operating Unit, he held several roles of increasing responsibility across Channel & Category Development, Revenue Growth Management & Commercial Planning, and Portfolio Innovation at bottling partner, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages.

Before joining Coca-Cola, Abhishek worked with Hindustan Lever, Kodak India and Gitanjali Jewels. His cross-industry experience across FMCG, consumer durables and retail has shaped his strong customer-centric mindset and pragmatic leadership approach.

Abhishek is deeply committed to developing future-ready talent and building inclusive, empowered teams that create meaningful impact for customers, consumers and the business.

Abhishek enjoys family vacations, Bollywood movies and cooking.

Chandan Tiwari

Head of Business, F&B & Chief Executive Officer

Adani Airport Holdings Limited & Semolina Kitchens

Chandan Tiwari is the CEO of Semolina Kitchens and leads the Food & Beverage vertical for Adani Airports, driving strategy, scale and performance across eight Adani-operated airports.

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Founder & Chairman

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Chandan Tiwari

Head of Business, F&B & Chief Executive Officer

Adani Airport Holdings Limited & Semolina Kitchens

Chandan Tiwari is the CEO of Semolina Kitchens and leads the Food & Beverage vertical for Adani Airports, driving strategy, scale and performance across eight Adani-operated airports.

A seasoned industry leader with over 26 years’ experience, Chandan has built a distinguished career at the intersection of large-scale operations, consumer experience, P&L ownership, marketing, food innovation, digitisation, and business transformation.

Prior to Adani, Chandan spent 13 years with Yum! Restaurants India, where he was instrumental in scaling KFC’s footprint across India, Srilanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives as Chief Operating Officer. In his final role as Chief Marketing Officer, he drove growth through strategic brand-building, sales acceleration and customer-led innovation. Earlier, he spent 12 years with McDonald’s India (West & South).

Chandan’s leadership excellence has been recognised globally. He was awarded the Best COO in KFC Worldwide and was a member of the KFC Global Operations Advisory Committee, contributing to strategic decision-making at an international level. More recently, he has been named among the Top 20 Most Influential Restaurant Leaders in India by Restaurant Times Global – a testament to his impact on the industry.

Matt Etchells

Experiences Director

CAVU, Manchester Airports Group

Matt Etchells has over 20 years of experience in airport management across a variety of positions, including aviation development, retail and car park revenue generation and operations general management.

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Founder & Chairman

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Matt Etchells

Experiences Director

CAVU, Manchester Airports Group

Since joining Manchester Airports Group, Matt’s roles have included Head of Group Retail Operations, Head of Customer Services & Terminal Operations at Manchester Airport, and Group Hospitality Director. He has been fortunate to work on a number of exciting developments across the Group, including the acquisition of London Stansted Airport, the redevelopment of Manchester Airport’s transformation programme and leading the operational expansion of CAVU’s lounges across UK, USA and Australia.

Matt currently holds the role of EMEA Experiences Director, responsible for the full P&L management, product development and growth of CAVU’s ‘experience’ products within the EMEA region. These include the Escape Lounge network, the aether Private Terminal at Manchester Airport and a new lounge concept, ‘The Executive’ launched this summer.

Aude Ferrand

Chief Executive Officer & Chief Commercial Officer

TAV Operation Services & TAV Airports Holding

Aude Ferrand is Chief Commercial Officer of TAV Airports Holding and Chief Executive Officer of TAV Operation Services. She leads the group’s commercial and marketing strategy across its international airport portfolio, while driving the growth and performance of TAV Operation Services as a global airport hospitality operator.

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Founder & Chairman

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Aude Ferrand

Chief Executive Officer & Chief Commercial Officer

TAV Operation Services & TAV Airports Holding

Aude Ferrand is Chief Commercial Officer of TAV Airports Holding and Chief Executive Officer of

TAV Operation Services. She leads the group’s commercial and marketing strategy across its international airport portfolio, while driving the growth and performance of TAV Operation Services as a global airport hospitality operator.

Her work sits at the intersection of commercial performance, brand strategy, digital enablement and human-centred service design – shaping airports into integrated experience platforms that create long-term value. She focuses on aligning retail, food & beverage, services and digital ecosystems to deliver meaningful passenger experiences while generating sustainable value for partners and stakeholders.

Aude joined the aviation sector in 2017 as Chief Retail Officer at Groupe ADP, before taking on broader executive responsibilities within TAV Airports. Prior to aviation, she held senior roles at Printemps as Head of Luxury Merchandise and spent over a decade with Amore Pacific in international commercial and marketing positions. She began her career in the UK with Armani as Brand Manager.

With a career spanning aviation, airport hospitality, travel retail and luxury brands, she contributes a cross-industry perspective to the ongoing evolution of airport ecosystems.

Errol McGlothan

Chief Operating Officer

Airport Dimensions

Errol McGlothan is Chief Operating Officer at Airport Dimensions, where he is responsible for overseeing the company’s global operations and driving operational excellence across its growing portfolio of airport hospitality, lounge and traveller experience solutions.

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Founder & Chairman

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Errol McGlothan

Chief Operating Officer

Airport Dimensions

With more than two decades of experience leading business transformation, commercial growth and operational performance, Errol has built a track record of scaling businesses, delivering complex change programmes and driving sustainable growth across a range of international organisations, including NatWest, MyTravel, Orange and Digicel.

During his tenure at Collinson, he played an integral role in the management team responsible for the global expansion and success of the Priority Pass business, helping establish it as the world’s leading airport experiences programme.

Today, Errol works closely with Airport Dimensions’ global teams and strategic partners to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions that meet the evolving needs of travellers while supporting the ambitions of airports and industry partners worldwide.

Alex Avery

Founder & Principal

Auran

Alex Avery is a commercial strategy advisor with over 20 years’ global experience supporting airports, investors, developers, architects, operators and brands to improve the performance of complex commercial assets.

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Founder & Chairman

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Alex Avery

Founder & Principal

Auran

He is a Founding Partner and Principal of Auran, the leading boutique advisory firm specialising in commercial strategy across retail, food & beverage, and hospitality.

Having worked at over 80 airports in more than 40 countries, Alex has deep technical expertise in airport commercial strategy, space planning, revenue forecasting, customer insight, commercial due diligence, brand and concept development, to drive enhanced commercial revenue and customer satisfaction. Over this time, he has led strategic projects at a wide variety of assets around the world, including Bangalore, Doha, Heathrow, JFK, Toronto Pearson and Montego Bay Jamaica.

As an industry thought leader, he regularly speaks at conferences, on subjects ranging from consumer trends, to travel and retail property innovations, reflecting a deep interest in brands, people and places.

Mira Al-Hmoud

Director of Strategic Initiatives & Business Development

Plaza Premium Group

Mira Al-Hmoud is Director of Strategic Initiatives & Business Development at Plaza Premium Group, bringing 15 years of global aviation experience. Her expertise spans commercial development, strategic planning, partnerships and growth. She has worked in diverse markets, including Canada, Jordan and UAE.

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Founder & Chairman

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Mira Al-Hmoud

Director of Strategic Initiatives & Business Development

Plaza Premium Group

Since joining Plaza Premium Group in 2022, Mira has led strategic initiatives and partnerships aligned with the Group’s growth strategy and core priorities centred on People, Innovation and ESG. Through these initiatives, PPG contributes to the wider travel ecosystem by advancing innovation, sharing specialised expertise, and elevating the traveller experience across airports and travel touchpoints.

Before joining PPG, Mira spent nearly ten years with the International Air Transport Association, where she managed a global commercial portfolio focused on airline distribution training, working with airlines, airports, solution providers and tourism bodies. Her key focus areas were

modern airline retailing, ancillary revenue, enhanced passenger journey and rapid digital transformation.

Mira is an Information Technology graduate and speaks Arabic, English and French. She is active in aviation forums, contributing to dialogue on innovation in airport hospitality, inclusive travel and the passenger experience of the future.

Hani Ezra Hussin

Senior General Manager Commercial Services

Malaysia Airports

With over 25 years of experience in retail, marketing and brand development, Hani Ezra Hussin leads the commercial strategy across Malaysia’s 39 airports.

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Founder & Chairman

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Hani Ezra Hussin

Senior General Manager Commercial Services

Malaysia Airports

With over 25 years of experience in retail, marketing and brand development, Hani Ezra Hussin leads the commercial strategy across Malaysia’s 39 airports.

Under her leadership, Malaysia Airports has embarked on a significant commercial transformation, rethinking how retail, dining and services are curated to meet evolving passenger expectations.

Hani oversees a portfolio of more than 800 retail and F&B outlets, working closely with international and local partners to enhance commercial performance while embedding a strong sense of place.

Her work continues to position Malaysia Airports in line with global benchmarks, balancing commercial growth with meaningful passenger experiences.

Jo Pennycuick

Chief Strategy and Growth Officer

Opula

Jo Pennycuick is a design-led strategist with nearly 30 years of international experience, combining creativity, commercial acumen and operational execution. Having worked across New Zealand, India, the Middle East, the UK and Europe, she has led transformation programmes for global brands and design practices operating seamlessly across consultancy and in-house leadership.

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Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Jo Pennycuick

Chief Strategy and Growth Officer

Opula

At Opula, Jo leads strategic growth and market development, shaping partnerships across airports, airlines, lounges and travel retail. She is instrumental in redefining how high-value travellers engage within airport environments, bridging the gap between lounges, retail and digital to create integrated, experience-led commercial ecosystems.

Jo also leads the creative design and integration of Opula’s in-lounge screen experiences, ensuring they enhance the environment, elevate customer engagement and deliver both value and interaction without disrupting the premium lounge experience.

Her work challenges traditional airport models by unlocking new revenue through more seamless, behaviour-driven engagement, aligning customer experience with measurable commercial performance.

A strong advocate for growth as a catalyst for innovation, Jo focuses on delivering human-centred strategies that drive both long-term value creation and immediate commercial results.

Michiel Reuvers

Associate Partner, Business Development

Conceptional

Michiel Reuvers brings over 25 years of international experience in travel, hospitality and food & beverage. He has built a strong reputation for translating strategic ambitions into commercially successful and operationally feasible F&B environments, particularly within complex settings such as airports, shopping centres and large-scale mixed-use developments.

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Founder & Chairman

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Michiel Reuvers

Associate Partner, Business Development

Conceptional

His career has taken him across the world. At Schiphol, he was closely involved in international commercial expansion; at Avolta (formerly HMSHost / World Duty Free), he spent nearly 15 years leading all aspects of business development; and at McArthurGlen, he held commercial and operational responsibility for over 300 restaurants across 27 designer outlet centres. Most recently, as CCO at Vermaat Group, he defined and executed the commercial strategy for the Netherlands.

At Conceptional, Michiel is Associate Partner overseeing all Business Development activities and Master Planning & Place Making proposition, connecting strategy, market insights and commercial feasibility to long-term visions for complex locations, from initial masterplan through to implementation.

He views every location as an opportunity to leverage F&B as a driver of placemaking, value creation and distinctive guest experience.

Ranveer Brar

Chef, Author, Storyteller

Chef Ranveer Brar is an internationally acclaimed Indian chef, restaurateur, author and storyteller known for bringing the richness of Indian culinary heritage to global audiences. With best-selling books and his flagship restaurant Kashkan in the UAE, he has built a distinctive culinary identity that blends tradition, innovation and cultural storytelling.

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Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Ranveer Brar

Chef, Author, Storyteller

One of India’s most celebrated celebrity chefs, Chef Brar connects with a global community of over 20 million people across digital platforms. His work extends beyond the kitchen into film, television and cultural advocacy, where he explores the deeper connections between food, memory and identity.

Chef Brar began his journey in professional kitchens at a young age and went on to become one of the youngest Executive Chefs of his time. Over the years, he has consulted on numerous culinary ventures worldwide and has been recognised for his creative leadership and influence in the food industry.

Committed to giving back, Chef Brar actively supports social and welfare initiatives and believes strongly in the power of food to bring people together and create meaningful change. Through his work with organisations and communities, he continues to inspire conversations around culture, nourishment and compassion.

Chef Brar describes himself as a ‘Food Sufi’ – someone who seeks stories, connection and purpose through the universal language of food.

Johnson Ebenezer

Chef

Farmlore

Chef Johnson Ebenezer is a distinguished culinary professional, educator and mentor whose career spans hospitality operations, culinary innovation and academic leadership. With extensive experience in training and developing future culinary professionals, he has contributed significantly to advancing culinary education and industry standards.

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Founder & Chairman

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Johnson Ebenezer

Chef

Farmlore

Known for his passion for mentorship and talent development, Chef Johnson has worked closely with students, chefs and hospitality professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity and continuous learning. His insights into culinary trends, professional development and hospitality leadership have made him a respected voice within the industry.

At the heart of his culinary philosophy is a modern and minimalist approach to cuisine, where simplicity, precision and authenticity take centre stage. He is a strong advocate for local sourcing, championing the use of fresh, seasonal ingredients, including produce grown in-house wherever possible.

Deeply inspired by India’s diverse culinary heritage, Chef Johnson is particularly passionate about exploring and preserving regional micro-cuisines, bringing lesser-known indigenous ingredients, techniques and food traditions to contemporary audiences. Through his work, he continues to bridge tradition and innovation, creating meaningful culinary experiences while nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders.

Sahana Hegde

Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer

Organic Mandya

Behind every movement that sustains itself is someone who makes sure it actually works — day after day, detail after detail. At Organic Mandya, that person is Sahana Hegde.

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Sahana Hegde

Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer

Organic Mandya

Behind every movement that sustains itself is someone who makes sure it actually works — day after day, detail after detail. At Organic Mandya, that person is Sahana Hegde.

As Co-Founder, Director and COO, Sahana has been present at every stage of this journey – from the earliest days when Organic Mandya was nothing more than a brick-and-mortar store on a highway, to what it has grown into today.

She oversees all verticals of Organic Mandya – ensuring that every product, every process and every promise made to farmers and consumers holds up not just in spirit, but in practice. Compliance isn’t a checkbox for Sahana; it is a commitment. In a space where the word ‘organic’ is often used loosely, she ensures it’s strictly adhered to with certifications at Organic Mandya.

Every new product that has come to life under the brand carries Sahana’s curiosity, her standards, and her conviction that clean food should never compromise on quality or authenticity. From concept to shelf, she drives the process – asking the hard questions, pushing for better, and making sure what reaches the customer is something she would stand behind herself.

Sahana has made it her mission to bring back age-old recipes and forgotten ingredients – giving them new life with the cleanest possible inputs. A way, as she sees it, of giving back to society – one honest product at a time.

Her latest offering is perhaps her finest example of this philosophy. Monkberry Ice Cream – crafted with A2 milk, monk fruit sweetener and sun-ripened strawberries from Mahabaleshwar – is as clean as ice cream can get. No refined sugar. No artificial anything. Just real ingredients, thoughtfully brought together.

Sahana embodies what Organic Mandya stands for. She is the kind of leader who earns trust not through announcements, but through the steadiness of her work. Her role may be operational, but her impact is foundational.

In a movement built to restore integrity to agriculture, she is the person who ensures that integrity never slips through the cracks.

Vinesh Johny

Chef

Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts

Chef Vinesh Johny is a pioneering pastry chef, entrepreneur and educator who has played a transformative role in elevating India’s baking and pastry industry.

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Founder & Chairman

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Vinesh Johny

Chef

Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts

Chef Vinesh Johny is a pioneering pastry chef, entrepreneur and educator who has played a transformative role in elevating India’s baking and pastry industry.

As the founder of the Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts, he has trained and mentored thousands of aspiring pastry professionals, helping establish international standards of pastry education in India.

With a career spanning luxury hospitality, culinary education and entrepreneurship, Chef Vinesh is recognised for his dedication to innovation, craftsmanship and excellence in baking. His contributions have significantly influenced the growth of India’s pastry ecosystem, making him a respected thought leader and mentor within the culinary fraternity.

Prateek Sadhu

Chef

Naar

Chef Prateek Sadhu is among the most influential chefs shaping the narrative of modern Indian cuisine today. Widely recognised for his deep exploration of India’s diverse culinary landscapes, he has built a reputation for transforming indigenous ingredients, forgotten food traditions and regional stories into immersive dining experiences.

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Founder & Chairman

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Prateek Sadhu

Chef

Naar

Formerly associated with the acclaimed restaurant Masque, he played a pivotal role in advancing ingredient-led tasting menus that challenged conventional perceptions of Indian fine dining.

Through extensive travel, research and collaboration with local communities, Chef Prateek continues to champion sustainability, seasonality and culinary storytelling, earning recognition as a leading voice in contemporary Indian gastronomy.

Amninder Sandhu

Chef

Bawri & Tipai

Chef Amninder Sandhu is an award-winning chef, entrepreneur, and one of India’s most respected advocates for regional cuisine and open-fire cooking.

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Founder & Chairman

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Amninder Sandhu

Chef

Bawri & Tipai

Chef Amninder Sandhu is an award-winning chef, entrepreneur, and one of India’s most respected advocates for regional cuisine and open-fire cooking.

Having led acclaimed kitchens and earned widespread recognition for her culinary leadership, she has become synonymous with bold flavours, traditional techniques and innovative interpretations of Indian food.

Through her restaurant ventures and culinary initiatives, Chef Amninder celebrates indigenous ingredients and age-old cooking methods while creating contemporary dining experiences that resonate with modern audiences. Her commitment to sustainability, women in hospitality and preserving India’s rich culinary heritage has established her as an inspiring figure within the global food community.

Christine Bony

Vice President Dining

Lagardère Travel Retail

Christine Bony is Vice President Dining at Lagardère Travel Retail, where she leads brand and concept innovation across more than 30 countries.

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Founder & Chairman

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Christine Bony

Vice President Dining

Lagardère Travel Retail

Christine Bony is Vice President Dining at Lagardère Travel Retail, where she leads brand and concept innovation across more than 30 countries.

With over 20 years of experience in marketing, brand development and digital transformation across food service and retail, Christine focuses on driving growth through customer-centric concepts and omnichannel strategies.

She previously held senior marketing positions at SSP, Planet Sushi, Groupe Flo and Wonderbox, where she specialised in brand strategy, concept creation, CRM and digital communications.

Christine is a graduate of ESSEC Business School.

Lylian Vignau

Chief Commercial & Digital Officer

Lagardère Travel Retail

Lylian Vignau is Chief Commercial & Digital Officer at Lagardère Travel Retail and a member of the company’s Executive Committee.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Lylian Vignau

Chief Commercial & Digital Officer

Lagardère Travel Retail

Lylian Vignau is Chief Commercial & Digital Officer at Lagardère Travel Retail and a member of the company’s Executive Committee.

An agronomist and oenologist graduated from ESSEC Business School, Lylian began his career with Rémy Cointreau in 1992, working in France, Australia and China. He joined Casino Group in 1995, where he held various international senior positions across Latin America, Switzerland and France, including International Merchandise Director.

In 2014, Lylian joined Sephora Europe & Middle East as Head Merchant before becoming CEO of the Duty Free division of Lagardère Travel Retail in 2017. In 2024, he was appointed Chief Commercial & Digital Officer, reflecting his broader responsibility for commercial strategy, digital acceleration and global performance across the business.

Vikas Gupta

Chief Executive Officer

GrayMatter Software

Vikas Gupta is a technology entrepreneur specialising in business intelligence, data warehouses, digital systems, artificial intelligence and analytics.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Vikas Gupta

Chief Executive Officer

GrayMatter Software

Vikas Gupta is a technology entrepreneur specialising in business intelligence, data warehouses, digital systems, artificial intelligence and analytics.

He is the Founder and CEO of GrayMatter Software, an analytics and digital software products and services provider for the travel, transportation, retail and manufacturing industries. With a career spanning over 25 years in the software industry, Vikas has dedicated his expertise to enhancing the customer experience at airports through digital technologies and analytics.

At GrayMatter, Vikas’ passion for innovation has led to the development of products such as Skateboard, StoreSense, and SmartLot, which are designed to maximise passenger experience and engagement while simultaneously delivering operational savings and revenue growth for airports.

Before GrayMatter, Vikas was the Co-Founder and CTO of Manthan Systems, a business intelligence and retail analytics company. He has also held advisory positions at Airports Council International and is a member of the Advisory Board at @SM Capitals.

Neeraj Manoria

Assistant Vice President & Head Digital Strategy

Bangalore International Airport Limited

Neeraj Manoria is a digital transformation leader with over 25 years of global experience spanning aviation, retail, technology, product management and business consulting. He has built a reputation for turning complex business challenges into scalable digital platforms that drive revenue growth, operational efficiency and exceptional customer experiences.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Neeraj Manoria

Assistant Vice President & Head Digital Strategy

Bangalore International Airport Limited

As AVP & Head of Digital Strategy at Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), Neeraj leads the airport’s digital transformation agenda, shaping the future of how passengers engage with the airport ecosystem. His work spans digital commerce, loyalty, payments, customer engagement, analytics and emerging technologies, with a focus on creating seamless, connected experiences across every stage of the passenger journey.

He is the architect behind several industry-leading initiatives, including BLR Pulse, the airport’s digital commerce platform; BLR Rewards, one of the fastest-growing airport loyalty programmes; and BLR Pay, an airport-wide omnichannel payment ecosystem. Together, these platforms have helped create a unified digital marketplace that connects passengers, retailers, F&B partners and service providers while unlocking new avenues for commercial growth.

Under his leadership, BIAL has pioneered innovations such as airport-wide loyalty, omnichannel commerce, QR-based F&B ordering, pre-order and gate delivery services, self-service kiosks, real-time personalisation, and integrated digital payments. His teams have also leveraged data and analytics to drive customer engagement, increase spend and create measurable business impact across the airport ecosystem.

Neeraj is a strong advocate for the concept of ‘Digital in a Box’ – a scalable digital platform model that enables airports to rapidly deploy capabilities across commerce, payments, loyalty, customer engagement and analytics. His vision is to transform airports from transit hubs into intelligent, connected destinations that deliver value to passengers, partners and stakeholders alike.

Viktoriya Soubra

Director of Sales Global

iCoupon

Viktoriya Soubra is Director of Sales at iCoupon, where she leads the growth of intelligent vouchering solutions across a global network of airlines, airports and retailers.

Martin Moodie

Founder & Chairman

The Moodie Davitt Report

Viktoriya Soubra

Director of Sales Global

iCoupon

Viktoriya Soubra is Director of Sales at iCoupon, where she leads the growth of intelligent vouchering solutions across a global network of airlines, airports and retailers.

With nearly 20 years’ experience in travel and airline services, including previous leadership roles at Travelliance, Viktoriya is a recognised expert in disruption management and strategic partnerships.

She regularly speaks at prestigious industry events on innovation in passenger experience, partnerships and ancillary revenue.

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