Gordon Clark is the Vice President Business Development at ForwardKeys, the travel analyst that helps tourism organisations, hotels, brands, and retailers understand who is travelling where, when, and for how long. Last year, ForwardKeys launched its data targeted digital marketing services, which allows its clients to create and run marketing campaigns globally, tracking the devices that have opened or seen ad campaigns, enables to measure them when they enter your store or location, helping to prove the ROI.  In this position Gordon is responsible for creating and delivering the global business development strategy across the brands, retailers and tourist attractions sector.

Before joining ForwardKeys, Gordon worked in the Chinese mobile payment and social media market, working across Europe to enable more retailers, hotels, and tourist attractions to be able to accept this type of mobile payment as well as helping these clients market their businesses to these lucrative customers in China using various Chinese social media platforms.

Gordon also worked Global Blue before this as their Managing Director, heavily involved in the international traveller market, trends, and working closely with the Government and partners to help provide a better experience to visiting international travellers.  He was also an executive member of the UK China Visitor Alliance, the entity that successfully lobbied the UK government to make it easier for Chinese travellers to gain a visa to travel to the UK.

François Bourienne joined Abu Dhabi Airports as Chief Commercial Officer and Member of the Executive Committee in May 2021. He oversees all commercial activities across the airports group, ensuring that stakeholders and customers using Abu Dhabi Airports benefit from the company’s array of sophisticated commercial offerings.

Previously, François held the position as Chief Commercial Officer Airport for Glasgow Airport and AGS Airports. During his time there François successfully grew traffic and revenue for both Glasgow and AGS Airports alongside bringing new airlines, retailers and retail concepts to the airports. In parallel he served as Chair of the UK Travel Retail Forum and a Board Member of the European Travel Retail Confederation.

With a career spanning over 20 years, François was previously at The Nuance Group, a worldwide leader in travel retail. He began his career working in business consultancy with ORMIS, Accenture and Bain & Company.

François holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the business school INSEAD, alongside a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Business Law from EM Lyon.

Rob Marriott, recently appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer at Aer Rianta International Middle East (ARIME), has over 30 years’ experience in retailing. He joined ARI in 2019 as CEO of Muscat Duty Free, where he was responsible for delivering a world-class travel retail experience at the new Muscat International Airport.

Rob has a proven track record in developing and delivering long-term strategy, driving global retail operational excellence, and leading teams to success. Prior to joining ARI, Rob held leadership roles at Morrisons and Safeway in the UK.

Rob is passionate about giving every colleague the opportunity to fulfill their potential, and about removing barriers to advancement. In the UK, he chaired the Women in Business forum and recently supported the Omani Women’s Day at Muscat Duty Free.

Since joining the business, Rob has firmly embraced ARI’s ethos of collaboration, agility and determination to create a bespoke sense of place for its customers, brands and partners. He is renowned for his customer-centric approach and determination to enhance the traveller experience through successful partnerships.