The Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) FZE is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Board and Officers following the Annual General Meeting held in Dubai on April 4, 2023.
The new leading group will be responsible for guiding the association’s strategic direction and furthering its mission to represent and promote the growth and development of the travel retail industry.
The newly elected Board of Directors includes members of the travel retail industry who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the association.
The officers elected to the MEADFA Board for a term of 2 years (2023-2025):
1. President: Mr. Sherif Toulan, CEO – International Duty Free & Trading Agencies
2. Vice President: Mr. Rob Marriott, CEO – ARI Middle East
3. Secretary General: Mr. Karl Raphael, CEO & Chairman – Aphrodite Sarl
4. Treasurer: Dr. Bernard Creed, Senior Vice President Finance – Dubai Duty Free
And the elected members of the board:
5. Mr. Isaias Diaz Garcia, General Manager Africa – Dufry Group
6. Mr. Tarek Hamila, Owner – Hamila Duty Free
7. Mr. Roger Jackson, Managing Director – Organico Solutions
8. Mr. Erik Juul-Mortensen, President – TFWA
9. Mr. Mazen Kaddoura, Airports Channel Development Head – Mars Wrigley Travel Retail
10. Ms. Milika Kalyati, Corporate Affairs & Communications Manager – JT International SA
11. Mr. Haitham Al Majali, CEO – Jordan Duty Free
12. Dr. Munif Mohamed, CEO – Lagardère TR
13. Mr. Alexandre Tabacoff, General Manager Middle East, India, and Subcontinent – Dufry Group
14. Mr. Bernard Schlafstein, Sales Director Middle East & Africa – Gebr Heinemann
Following are the new members of the four committees formed to support the work of the MEADFA Board:
1. Advocacy Committee: Rob Marriott (Chair), Isaias Diaz Garcia, Roger Jackson (Liquor Taskforce Chair), Mazen Kaddoura (Confectionery Taskforce Chair), Travel Retail, Milika Kalyati (Tobacco Taskforce Chair).
2. Membership Committee: Roger Jackson (Chair), Bernard Creed, Karl Raphael, Alexandre Tabacoff.
3. Sustainability Committee: Dr. Munif Mohammed (Chair), Bernard Creed, Renzo Radice, Bernard Schlafstein, Olympia Pineda.
4. Awards Committee: Dr. Bernard Creed (Chair), Sherif Toulan, Rob Marriott, Isaias Diaz Garcia.
“I am honored 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,” said Sherif Toulan. “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.”
MEADFA re-elected President added “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, elected Vice-President, said: “I am honored 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.”
The Middle East and Africa Duty Free Association are committed to promoting the business potential and global standing of the industry in the region. MEADFA represents and serves the travel retail industry in the MEADFA region through a wide network bringing together industry stakeholders – including retailers, airports, airlines, and brands – defending their interests and keeping them informed of the latest regional and global industry developments.
