Maxxium restructures post Beam & Edrington alliance; Erik Juul-Mortensen to step down – 16/03/09(3)

JUUL-MORTENSEN EVALUATES FUTURE; FIRM ‘NO’ TO STAYING ON AT TFWA BEYOND OCTOBER

Speaking to The Moodie Report after the announcement, Juul-Mortensen said he would be helping Edrington to prepare for a new future in travel retail, specifically in the Americas but also looking at other channels.

Beyond that point he will consider all his options, he added. He is keen to remain involved in the travel retail and duty free channel.

But his role as President of TFWA will come to an end in October at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, Juul-Mortensen insisted. He has been President for ten years and involved at Board level for 25 years. “I can’t really envision a situation where I would stay,” he said firmly.

COMMENT

Erik Juul-Mortensen has been a constant presence in the travel retail channel over the past quarter of a century. He’s also been a reassuring one. His steady, and where necessary firm, hand at the helm of TFWA has seen the suppliers’ trade association forge ahead strongly, particularly over the past decade.

The Dane has also been one of the most respected and knowledgeable brand executives in the business. He has fought strongly to underline the legitimacy, credibility and importance of the travel retail channel with the various companies he has been involved.

He remains full of energy and ambition and it is to be hoped that he might find an alternative challenge once his role with Edrington is completed. Certainly the channel would be much poorer without his contribution.