A graduate of HEC Paris, Vincent joined the group in 1997 as Director of the Airports, Hotels and Motorways network at Relay France. Between 2000 and 2005 he was Sales Director at Relay France, then EVP in charge of Central and Northern Europe until 2007. He then took General Manager roles at SSP and St Gobain before returning to Lagardère Travel Retail as Regional COO for EMEA in 2011. In December 2017, he was made CEO of Lagardère Travel Retail France and COO for the UAE and KSA. In 2024, he added the supervision of Africa and the entire Middle East region to his role. In 2026, he became COO France & Luxembourg and COO MEA & Asia.

With over 25 years of international experience in trade negotiations, policy implementation, business development, and organizational management, Teddy Soobramanien brings a unique set of skills, perspectives, and leadership qualities to steer CBC into the future. Teddy has held several leading roles at the World Trade Organization (WTO); the United Nations (UN); the International Trade Centre (ITC); the Commonwealth; the UK Government; the African, Caribbean, and Pacific States – European Union (ACP-EU) TradeCom Facility; the private sector; and the Mauritius Mission to the UN in Geneva. He has successfully led many programs, including the Aid for Trade Hub and Spokes Program. He is widely published on topics related to small economies, the ACP, developing countries, and international trade issues relevant to Africa. He has also executed multiple private sector development projects for the TradeCom Facility. He holds a Master’s Degree in Law (LLM) from Robert Gordon University, United Kingdom; a BSc (Hons) Degree in Economics from the University of Mauritius; a Diploma in Trade Policy from the WTO; and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in International Trade Law at the University of Reading, UK.

Pooja Padmanabhan Bommidala is the Chief Executive Officer of BBM Travel Retail, one of the leading travel retail companies in the Indian subcontinent. With a strong entrepreneurial vision and deep domain expertise, she has played a pivotal role in expanding BBM’s footprint across major international airports and duty free zones in India.

Under her dynamic leadership, BBM Travel Retail has grown into a trusted name in the global travel retail space, representing iconic international brands and curating premium retail experiences for travellers. The company operates in high-traffic locations across the country and manages a portfolio spanning fashion, travel accessories, confectionery, tobacco products, spirits, and more.

Pooja is known for her strategic thinking, innovative approach to retail, and deep understanding of evolving consumer behaviour. Her ability to merge global trends with local insights has made her a respected voice in the Indian travel retail industry.

She holds a Master’s Degree in International Business and Entrepreneurship from the University of Glasgow and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Stella Maris College, Chennai. Beyond her business accomplishments, she is passionate about women’s leadership, cross-cultural collaboration, and promoting sustainable business growth in emerging markets.

PRESENTATION

Ilia Lioutov is an air transport economist with expertise in airport economics, regulatory policy, and stakeholder engagement across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. His work focuses on the development of sustainable airport business models, with particular attention to the interface between regulation, commercial strategy, and long-term infrastructure planning.

In addition to his core work on aeronautical revenues and economic regulation, Ilia has developed specialised expertise in non-aeronautical revenues, including travel retail, duty-free, concession agreements, ground access, and digital transformation. He served as the first Secretary of ANARA (Airports’ Non-Aeronautical Revenues and Activities), where he established and led several thematic working groups addressing key areas of commercial activity and operational efficiency. These included initiatives on commercial concession structures, digitalisation of passenger services, and access infrastructure.

In his current role, Ilia advises on policy development, regulatory frameworks, and strategic communications for the airport industry, supporting both public and private stakeholders in navigating evolving market conditions and investment environments. His work contributes to regional and global efforts to advance airport competitiveness, economic sustainability, and policy alignment within the aviation sector.

PRESENTATION

Harald Suenner is Sales Director Middle East Africa at Heinemann Middle East Africa and oversees and manages the travel retail and distribution business of the company across Africa. Heinemann is a retailer and distributor to the same degree and an expert in all sales channels of travel retail.

Harald brings extensive global experience in the travel retail business, with a special focus on emerging markets. Before becoming responsible for the business of Heinemann across 35 African countries, he served as Commercial Director for the business region Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Prior to joining Heinemann, Harald completed several international stations with the Carlsberg Group and served as Consulting Director at Kantar Retail with a focus on FMCG.

He studied marketing and international business at the University of Trier (Germany) and international business and marketing at the State University of New York.

Bernard Schlafstein is the CEO of Heinemann Middle East Africa, the regional headquarters of Gebr. Heinemann, a global leader in travel retail.

With nearly two decades at Gebr. Heinemann, he manages the retail and distribution business across the whole MEA region, including 100% entities as well as joint ventures like JR Heinemann, JAH Arabia International Duty Free and Big Five Duty Free. His responsibilities span over more than 40 countries. Previously, Bernard served as Director Sales Middle East Africa, including Turkey. Prior to that, he was responsible for the EECA region, where he played a pivotal role in establishing joint ventures and nurturing long-term distribution partnerships.

His deep regional expertise and strategic leadership continue to shape Heinemann’s growth in emerging markets. Bernard studied International Business Studies and Management at the Regent’s University London.

John Rimmer has worked in the duty free and travel retail industry since 2000, when he joined trade journal Duty-Free News International as a reporter. Within three years he had been appointed editor of sister publication Travel Retailer International, before becoming editor of DFNI a year later.

In 2006 he relocated to Paris, where he joined retailer Aelia (part of the Lagardère group) as Deputy Director of Business Development, helping the company to develop its presence at airports beyond France. Four years later he returned to the UK to become Executive Director Business Development at leading trade publisher The Moodie Report. In October 2012 John returned to Paris to join Tax Free World Association as Conference, Research and Corporate Affairs Director, tasked with strengthening the Association’s services to its members across the world.

In October 2017 John was appointed Managing Director of TFWA, responsible for the day-to-day running of the Association and its two major exhibitions, TFWA World Exhibition & Conference and TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference. John left TFWA in late 2023 to establish his own consultancy, and currently works with a number of clients in the travel retail sector.

John has moderated several industry conferences around the world, including TFWA China’s Century Conference, the TFWA Asia Pacific Conference, the World Travel Market, the MEADFA Conference and the Trinity Forum.

John holds an MA in Modern and Medieval Languages from the University of Cambridge.