CHRISTIAN STRANG

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, DFS GROUP LIMITED

Christian joined DFS Group in 2007 as senior vice president, global business development. In 1983 he began his retail career in the luxury goods segment in London; he subsequently worked with major department store groups in Australia and in the United Kingdom. Since joining the duty-free industry in 1990 he has had senior management positions with Allders International and The Nuance Group in Australia, Singapore, Korea and Hong Kong. Before joining DFS, Christian served as chief executive of The Nuance Group, in Australia and New Zealand.

NEIL LOVETT

CEO, BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Neil started his working career with Dunlop in 1975 and joined British American Tobacco Group in 1983. In1997 he established BAT International in Switzerland, integrating the group's diverse regional approaches to duty-free into one central unit. Three years later Neil led the merger of BAT and Rothmans, and has since driven the group's strategy in the duty-free channel, applying a rigorous and structured marketing strategy and a partnership approach. Not surprisingly, Neil adores the travel-retail industry and its people, and passionately believes in the sustainability of tobacco, its importance to retailers, airports, other category members and of course consumers.

MAGNUS SKJORSHAMMER

PURCHASING DIRECTOR, TALLINK SILJA LINE DUTY FREE SALES

After joining the purchasing division of Tallink in 1997, Magnus Skjörshammer has held various position within both purchasing and sales divisions for the operator. Magnus is Currently the purchasing director and executive committee member of Tallink Duty Free Sales, the procurement division of Tallink-Silja Line headquartered in Estonia that operates 21 vessels with routes between Estonia, Sweden, Germany, Finland and Latvia. In his free time Magnus enjoys travel, winter and watersports as well as some racquet sports.

CATHERINE SAURAIS

GENERAL MANAGER, NESTLE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL RETAIL

Catherine Saurais describes herself as 'a pure Nestlé product'. When she joined Nestlé International Travel Retail in 2006, she brought with her almost 30 years’ commercial experience and a successful track record in developing global markets for high-profile Nestlé brands. Most recently Catherine successfully implemented the ‘Nespresso’ concept across all continents. Not only will Catherine’s experience be invaluable in developing the confectionery category, but her passion to improve the retail experience for shoppers is bound to bring change and achievement for the whole travel-retail industry.

PETER WILLIAMS

CEO, ALPHA AIRPORTS GROUP