Meet The Moodie Davitt team: Introducing Senior International Account Manager Aran Turner

The Moodie Davitt Report may bear the names of its Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie and long-time President (and since 2015 Co-Owner) Dermot Davitt, but there is much more to the company than its two leaders.

Our diverse and inclusive, multi-talented, multi-cultural 24-member team (including regular freelancers and consultants) is based across numerous locations, including Hong Kong, Hainan, Ireland, Rhodes (Greece), Wales, England and the Philippines.

They speak eight languages between them and collectively represent the leading travel retail B2B publisher and events company with distinction across administration & finance, editorial, events, film, research, sales and technology.

We are pleased to introduce the team in this regular column. Please meet our Wales-based Senior International Account Manager Aran Turner. 

Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born in Portsmouth, UK, just a stone’s throw from Fratton Park – for the football fans, the home of Portsmouth FC – where I spent the first seven years of my life. Portsmouth is best known for its maritime history and the football club holding the FA Cup for the longest period, 1939-1946, due to the competition being suspended during World War Two.

My father served in the Royal Navy, joining at 16 and serving in the Falklands war onboard HMS Coventry, which was sunk on 25 May 1982. After 24 years in the Royal Navy, he went into Facilities Management in London. My mother spent the first half of her working life as a chef and the latter in retail for the John Lewis Partnership. That’s where I got my first taste of retail, working weekends throughout further education.

After leaving school I studied a BTEC National Diploma in Media Studies, followed by a Higher National Diploma in Multimedia Journalism. Four years later I flew the nest to study a Degree in Journalism at the University of Chester.

I really enjoyed my time in the North West and the original plan was to stay on for one year after graduating. Eighteen years, a fiancée, a house and two children later, I’m still here.

Having enjoyed the production side of print journalism more than the writing itself, after graduating I got a job as a graphic designer for a travel agency franchise to gain some much-needed experience. Just over two years later I moved on to my next role as a graphic designer for Welsh jewellery brand Clogau.

After less than a year I was offered the opportunity to support the then Head of Sales David Butler in establishing the brand’s export business. Under the mentorship of Finance Director Tim Holme, I helped develop, strengthen and grow the brand’s international business both in travel retail and domestic markets.

I moved into the tech industry in 2021 for a brief stint, then the opportunity to join The Moodie Davitt Report arose. And the rest, as they say, is history.

When did you join The Moodie Davitt Report and what is your role? 

I joined in June 2022 and I am Senior International Account Manager, working with clients to develop relationships through effective campaigns via Moodie Davitt titles, events and platforms.

A highlight of your time with The Moodie Davitt Report?

For me the in-person events have always been a highlight, offering the opportunity to get out there and meet with clients, colleagues and friends. Many refer to the people behind our industry as the ‘travel retail family’ and from very early you’re made to feel part of that family.

We’re very privileged to work in such a glamorous, dynamic and rewarding industry.

What is your approach to work, your business philosophy?

Honesty, integrity, respect. In some walks of life salespeople get a bad reputation, so it’s important to differentiate and stand out from the crowd. You also need to enjoy what you do.

If you don’t live, breathe and believe in what you sell, you’re going to struggle.

What is it that makes you tick? Your positive/negative traits? 

My family motivates me and makes me happy; everything I do is for my fiancée Michelle and our two children, Joshua who is seven, and two-year-old Amelia. Making memories, enjoying life and not having regrets are important.

I’m a bit of a perfectionist, which could be perceived as positive or negative, but I’ll let you decide that.

How important is leisure time and out of work interests? 

Work-life balance is important – both physically and mentally – especially as a remote worker. There are health benefits to remote working. Where I used to spend 30 minutes driving to work every morning, I now walk my children to school and nursery. That said, in the evening, when your office is in your house it’s often too easy to finish late because there’s no one kicking you out. So, establishing healthy working practices from the offset is crucial.

To be able to switch off at the end of the day, to spend time with family and friends and be passionate about interests outside of work, is very important.

One of those interests is helping coach my son’s Under 7s football team twice a week. That keeps me on my toes in more ways than one and is an opportunity to enjoy a shared interest.

A must-have in duty free? 

That’s easy. Dior Sauvage or a good bottle of vodka. Or both.

And a desert island choice of music and book, or something else? 

That would have to be a radio/music. I could easily live without TV, but listening to music, mainly electronic, has been a passion from an early age.

Previously on Meet The Moodie Davitt team

Introducing Associate Editor Colleen Morgan

Introducing Senior Business Editor Mark Lane

Introducing Chief Administration Officer and ESG Manager Sinead Moodie

Introducing FAB and International Account Manager Maya Feeney

Introducing Administration and Events Support Manager Kristyn Branisel

Introducing Associate Director Events Vincci Chung

Introducing Associate Editor Camille Bersola

Introducing Development and Systems Operations Director Matt Willey

Introducing Reporter Ameesha Raizada

Introducing China Chief Representative Zhang Yimei

Introducing Vice President Sales Sarah Genest