Qatar Duty Free expands leadership team with six top women executive appointments

QATAR. Qatar Duty Free (QDF) today revealed six key appointments to its senior leadership team, marking the start of what the travel retailer described as an exciting new chapter in its vision for 2025.

“These appointments highlight QDF’s continuous commitment to driving innovation, operational excellence, and delivering unparalleled customer experiences while reinforcing its strategy of continuous growth and leadership expansion,” the company said.

Much-respected former DFS Group, Cartier and Dufry executive Vanessa Lixiong Xian is named Head of Strategy and Program, bringing over 15 years of expertise in retail and programme management.

Reporting directly to Qatar Airways Group Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer Thabet Musleh, she will play a critical role in assisting with strategic decision-making and the execution of key initiatives across QDF’s Retail and F&B divisions.

Xian’s responsibilities include overseeing programme management, driving operational efficiency, and fostering collaboration across teams to deliver impactful results.

Katie Kiddle steps into the newly created role of Head of Loyalty, where she will develop innovative, data-driven strategies to strengthen customer engagement and drive revenue growth.

With extensive experience managing global loyalty programmes at organisations such as Formula 1 and British Airways, she is well-positioned to elevate the retailer’s loyalty offering and deliver exceptional value to customers, QDF said.

Sonia Marie Imasdounian has been appointed as Qatar Duty Free Head of HR  where she will lead human resources initiatives across QDF’s Retail and Hospitality Divisions, supporting talent development and employee engagement.

Imasdounian’s extensive experience at organisations such as Flutter International and Marriott International will enable her to foster collaboration and further strengthen the company’s dynamic workforce, QDF observed.

Joanne Morris joins as Confectionery Category Manager, leveraging a decade of global travel retail expertise to expand QDF’s product portfolio and forge impactful partnerships designed to strengthen the organisation’s market position.

Morris has 22 years’ travel retail experience, including the past seven and a half years at Whyte & Mackay (holding roles as Global Account Manager and Europe Travel Retail Business Manager), following earlier posts at Beam Suntory, Harding and World Duty Free.

Head of Luxury Retail Operations Sara Di Carlo is responsible for leading QDF’s luxury department, managing its world-class brands, maximising sales and ensuring the highest level of service excellence.

Most recently Di Carlo was Retail Director for Dolce & Gabbana Northern Europe, where she led the growth and expansion of their luxury retail business. Earlier, she held roles within the LVMH group for ten years, working for Celine, Louis Vuitton and DKNY, as well as holding senior positions within other brands including Burberry, Dunhill and Nike.

Rounding out the leadership team, Ria Chauhan takes on the role of Head of Procurement for the Beauty Category, bringing 20 years of experience in procurement and category management.

With a distinguished career at Marks & Spencer, Harvey Nichols [her most recent role was Harvey Nichols UK  Head of Beauty Buying -Ed] and the Chalhoub Group, Chauhan will focus on enhancing QDF’s luxury beauty offerings to ensure the company remains a leader in the beauty retail space.

Commenting on the appointments, Musleh said, “At Qatar Duty Free, our ambition is to deliver excellence across our operations and continue to push boundaries as a leading retailer. Vanessa, Katie, Sonia, Joanne, Sarah and Ria bring a fantastic blend of expertise, experience, and energy to our senior leadership team.

“Together, they will help us to strengthen partnerships, inspire our amazing team of employees and elevate our signature ‘experiencentricity’ for our customers.

“We pride ourselves on the calibre of our people. These new additions reflect our commitment to attracting top-tier talent and ensuring our business continues to grow and thrive. I look forward to the impact they will make as we embark on the next phase of our journey.”

QDF said the six appointments reinforce its dedication to delivering a world-class travel retail experience and position the organisation for continued success in 2025 and beyond.

The company, which boasts a workforce comprising over 78 nationalities and a headcount that has tripled to more than 5,000 in the past three years, said it is committed to not only growing its team but also enhancing it with highly skilled and experienced leaders.

“These appointments confirm QDF’s dedication to bringing in exceptional talent that add value to the business and ensure the organisation continues to deliver outstanding service and operational excellence. As the business evolves, QDF remains focused on strengthening its leadership team to meet new challenges and capitalise on future opportunities,” the retailer commented.