Airport Retail & Commercial Forum

An experienced Chief Executive Officer with direct operating experience in the Mobility Services, Travel and Information Technology industries. A customer focused leader who has served as the Managing Director of Avis Budget Group, CEO of Thrifty, Chief Investment Officer of the NRMA, Director of Strategic Development for Cendant Corporation and Head of Strategy for FISERV.

Harry Sanders founded StudioHawk, Australia’s largest dedicated SEO and AI Search agency, and Hawk Academy, teaching thousands of students each year about SEO and AI Search. He also co-founded Kadi, a luggage brand emphasising design and quality.
He serves as an ambassador for the Lighthouse Foundation, addressing youth homelessness and donating 100% of his speaking fees to the cause.

I’m VP of Partnerships at ParkIT, a UK-based company helping to power airports’ valet operations, so travellers can focus on catching flights because parking just works. I spend my days building relationships with airport clients and suppliers – understanding their challenges, solving problems, and creating solutions that work in the real world, not just on paper.
I work with airport partners across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, which mostly means a lot of early morning calls and getting very good at time zone maths. I love the puzzle of it all – consultancy, product, operations, commercial – bringing it all together so that what looks simple to a traveller (turn up, park, catch a flight) is backed by a lot of moving parts working in sync behind the scenes.
No two airports are the same, and no two problems are either, which is what keeps the job interesting after all these years.

Diane Owens is a commercial and retail specialist with more than 25 years of experience across the airport, property and retail sectors. She is recognised for driving revenue growth through commercial infrastructure development, retail optimisation and strategic partnerships, and currently advises infrastructure businesses on commercialisation strategies.
During her 12 years at Cairns Airport as Commercial Business Development Manager, Diane helped deliver industry-leading passenger spend rates and played a key role in the commercial delivery of the airport’s $200 million domestic terminal expansion and subsequent retail redevelopment projects.
Previously, she managed retail leasing and development at Wellington Airport in New Zealand and held property and shopping centre roles with major investment firms including Colonial, Chesterton and Prudential. Having also owned and operated retail businesses, Diane combines strategic commercial expertise with practical, hands-on retail experience.

Stewart brings a wealth of experience having delivered challenging projects for clients across Australia, the Pacific region and Asia. He currently leads our WT Geelong office team and has group leadership responsibilities.
Stewart has over 20 years’ experience working on projects across many sectors including federal and state government projects, infrastructure, marine, aviation, civic, healthcare, commercial and the residential sectors. He specialises in delivering projects in live-operational sites and in remote delivery locations.
He brings an insightful and collaborative approach to construction cost and procurement advisory services, which is essential in securing successful project outcomes. Stewart focuses on fostering positive communication and collaboration amongst his team, developing and mentoring the next generation of cost management experts.
Stewart has been at WT since 2004 and became a State Director in 2024.

Chris Niven is Landside and Digital Business Manager at Adelaide Airport, responsible for driving commercial performance across parking, ground transport and digital channels. He leads initiatives that combine data, technology and pricing strategy to grow revenue, improve yield and enhance the end-to-end customer journey.

Chris has delivered major digital and infrastructure programs that strengthen both customer experience and commercial returns, with a strong focus on practical execution and measurable outcomes.

Robert Horton is the Founder and Managing Director of First Class Valet Pty Ltd, established in 2014. A seasoned executive with over 20 years’ experience across corporate banking, transport, and relationship management, Robert draws on leadership skills honed at Merrill Lynch, ANZ, and as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army. A West Point graduate with an MBA from SMU’s Cox School of Business, he has led large teams and portfolios globally. Robert brings a disciplined, strategic mindset to business, viewing it as the world’s greatest game. Today, he leads First Class Valet with the mindset of an elite athlete—seeing business as the ultimate game and playing to win through innovation, precision, and leadership.

Lukas Judith is Lead AI Engineer at Socialtrait, an AI startup building an audience simulation platform that enables brands to test creative, packaging, and customer experiences using AI-simulated consumer populations.
Based in Sydney, Lukas leads the engineering team behind Socialtrait’s core simulation infrastructure. He holds a Master’s in Computational Physics, with experience spanning data engineering, AI consulting, and AI engineering & Data Science.
Lukas is interested in all things AI, and in particular how AI-driven simulation can help organisations understand consumer behaviour faster and at greater scale.

Ex-Big-4 Consultant with 20 years of Data, AI, IOT, ML and Advanced Analytics. Strategic specialist with extensive experience assisting organisations through strategy/ideation, implementation and post-implementation support; in some cases, generating ROIs in excess of 90x annually.

Andrew Szabo has over 10 years of experience across finance and commercial operations within the aviation industry. He spent six years in finance with Queensland Airports before transitioning into the commercial car parking sector, where he has spent the past four years. Beginning as a Revenue Analyst, Andrew progressed into his current role as Commercial Manager – Car Parking & Ground Transport.
Andrew is responsible for the commercial performance and strategic development of car parking and ground transport across Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach Airports. He leads initiatives focused on revenue optimisation, customer experience, pricing strategy, and the delivery of new parking products and services. Passionate about innovation and long-term planning, Andrew is excited to deliver new parking solutions and commercial opportunities across Queensland Airports’ portfolio to support future passenger growth and enhance the airport experience.

Wasem has more than 14 years of experience supporting parking and payment customers across the Asia-Pacific region. As a Technical Account Manager, he works with airports and leading parking operators on solutions including pre-booking, parking memberships, merchant acquiring, and integrated payments. With a background spanning Implementation Manager, Product Owner, and Platform Product Specialist roles, he has developed deep expertise in parking platforms, payments, integration, and software delivery. Wasem has successfully led parking payment implementations for airports across Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Europe, helping operators align technology, payments, and customer experience strategies to improve efficiency, enhance customer journeys, and drive business growth.

Fiona McKeown is Chief Financial Officer at Rezcomm, bringing extensive financial leadership experience across technology businesses, SMEs and IT scale ups. Her expertise spans operational finance, corporate finance and investment rounds, with a strong focus on supporting commercial growth, scalable business models and long-term financial resilience.
With a background rooted in the technology sector, Fiona brings a practical, commercially focused perspective to the financial opportunities and challenges facing fast-growing digital businesses.

Joshua Bakhbakhi, based in Brisbane City, QLD, AU, is currently a Head of Growth, APAC at CAVU. Joshua Bakhbakhi brings experience to CAVU.

Arif Can Gunal is a commercial leader with 14+ years’ experience driving revenue growth through pricing strategy, data analytics, and e-commerce optimisation. He has a proven track record of improving revenue and margin through data-driven decision-making, customer-focused strategies, and new revenue opportunities. Known for strong leadership, Arif has spent 8+ years building high-performing teams and partnering with executives to deliver sustainable commercial results.

Zach Pozzobon is Senior Commercial Manager – Ground Transport at Melbourne Airport. With 15 years’ experience across infrastructure, finance, and consulting, including at KPMG, he leads commercial strategy, investment planning, and performance for the airport’s ground transport portfolio, driving sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and customer-focused transport solutions.

Floyd is an experienced aviation executive with a client-centric perspective and over 26 years of worldwide experience. He is GHD’s Aviation Sector Leader and has managed total project delivery for airport infrastructure projects from both Client and Consultant’s perspectives across the globe. Floyd has been involved in airport processes and operational requirements and has extensive experience in stakeholder management, live airport operational planning and project delivery across airport infrastructure.

Bob Epps, GAICD is a seasoned executive, governance professional, and military veteran with more than 20 years of senior leadership experience across risk management, compliance, operational excellence, business resilience, asset and facilities management, emergency management, and fraud prevention.
Throughout his career, Bob has built a reputation for driving organisational performance through strategic thinking, strong governance, and practical innovation. He has extensive expertise in enterprise risk management, business continuity, compliance frameworks, operational risk, and organisational transformation. His ability to identify emerging risks, influence executive decision-making, and implement sustainable business improvements has enabled organisations to strengthen resilience, enhance performance, and achieve strategic objectives.

Prior to entering the corporate sector, Bob served for 16 years in the British Army’s Royal Military Police, undertaking operational deployments across West Germany, Central America, Cyprus, Belgium, and Northern Ireland. His military service provided the foundation for his leadership approach, combining discipline, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Since joining Cairns Taxis Limited as Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary, Bob has focused on modernising operations, strengthening governance, improving customer outcomes, and positioning the organisation for long-term sustainability. He is passionate about leveraging technology, innovation, and strategic partnerships to future-proof revenue streams and deliver value to stakeholders.

Bob holds a Bachelor of Science in Risk and Security Management and is a Certified Compliance Professional with the Australian Compliance Institute and a Graduate of the AICD. He also serves as a Board Member of Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) and the Cairns Catholic Diocese Education board of Governance, contributing to industry development and regional economic growth.

Assistant Minister for Tourism, Early Learning, Creative Industries, and Far North Queensland, Member for Barron River

Paul Laws is Head of Parking and Transport at Brisbane Airport Corporation, leading parking, ground transport, and customer access operations. With over 20 years of experience in aviation, transport, and technology, he has held senior roles at Brisbane Airport Corporation, SKIDATA, and Wilson Technology Solutions. Paul is known for delivering innovative, customer-focused parking and transport solutions that enhance operational performance, improve the passenger experience, and support long-term commercial growth.

Mosstyn Howell is the Managing Director UbiPark at Orikan.

Now into his third decade in the parking and mobility industry, Mosstyn is recognised internationally as a respected leader and visionary. Having worked with leading equipment providers and parking operators before establishing UbiPark, he anticipated and helped drive the industry’s shift toward seamless digital parking experiences.

Mosstyn is focused on transforming ground transport operations, enhancing customer experience, and maximising revenue for airports. Throughout his career, he has built strong partnerships with major brands and delivered innovative solutions globally.

He also served eight years as a Director of Parking Australia, including four years as Vice President. Mosstyn believes the future of parking is digital, integrated, and innovation led.

Ali Jaouhar is the National Sales Manager – ANZ and Airport Segment Lead, with extensive experience across sales, operations, and project management within the parking industry. Having previously held roles as State Field Service Manager and National Coordinator of Field Project Managers, he brings a strong understanding of both customer needs and operational delivery. Passionate about driving business growth, Ali focuses on building lasting relationships and delivering innovative, tailored solutions that enhance the parking experience. He is a strong advocate for customer-centric parking strategies, helping businesses leverage technology and industry expertise to improve customer journeys, operational efficiency, and overall business performance.

Derek Grioli is an experienced operations and customer service leader focused on building high-performing teams, customer-centric business models, and future-ready parking solutions. He is passionate about aligning people, technology, and processes to deliver exceptional customer experiences. With expertise in stakeholder engagement, strategic partnerships, operational efficiency, and large-scale project delivery, Derek has a proven track record of creating engaged workforces, improving performance, and achieving strong business and customer outcomes.

Brigitte Schroeder is the Commercial Manager for Ground Transport and Property at Hobart International Airport. Brigitte has over 19 years’ experience across operations, commercial and sales leadership roles, including 13 years with a first-tier chauffeur service business in South Africa and 4 years with a first-tier car rental company in Australia as the State Operations Manager for two states.

Richard Barker was appointed as NQA’s Chief Executive Officer in December 2020, after joining the NQA Board of Directors in 2015. Richard has extensive experience in the Airports, Retail and Energy sectors. In his previous role as General Manager of Retail & Commercial at Auckland International Airport, Richard was responsible for the airport’s retail, transport and premium lounge businesses.
Richard has more than 30 years of global experience having worked and lived in New Zealand, UK, USA and Australia. Richard holds a BMS (Marketing / Finance) and a KMI from Kellogg Business School – Chicago and is a member NZ Institute of Directors.

Michael McQueen understands what it takes to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Recently ranked #12 among the world’s top futurists, Michael is widely recognized for having his finger on the pulse of change, helping clients ranging from Google to Toyota and Mastercard navigate uncertainty and stay ahead of the curve.
A bestselling author of 10 books, Michael’s latest release was named by Malcolm Gladwell and Adam Grant as one of the top five must-read new leadership books. He is a sought-after media commentator, with his insights regularly featured in Forbes, The Guardian, and CNN.
Having presented to over 500,000 people across five continents since 2004, Michael is a familiar face on the international conference circuit, sharing the stage with Bill Gates, Mel Robbins, and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
Formerly named Australia’s Keynote Speaker of the Year, Michael has also been inducted into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame.

Katrina Eli is a Senior Economist at Mastercard, specializing in macroeconomic country analysis and scenario forecasting. She manages a team of economists across Sydney and Singapore and is involved in live broadcast engagements. Katrina joined Mastercard in 2025, bringing 14 years of experience from Moody’s Analytics, where she was Head of the Asia-Pacific economics team. Her expertise includes research and communication of economic insights tailored to specific audiences.

Tharanie Vithanage is the First Assistant Secretary leading the Strategy and Border Modernisation Division at the Australian Border Force (ABF). Her division oversees modernisation initiatives, policy across trade, travel, customs and border operations, engagement with the World Customs Organization, strategic partnerships, and ABF governance.
A qualified lawyer, Tharanie holds degrees in Applied Chemistry and Law, with postgraduate qualifications in International and Military Law. She began her career in commercial law before joining the Australian Army as a legal officer, advising on military discipline, administrative and operations law across domestic and international contexts. She continues to serve in the Army Reserve.
Tharanie joined the former Australian Customs and Border Protection Service as an operations lawyer, later becoming Deputy Commander of the Joint Agency Task Force – Operation Sovereign Borders, managing multi-agency operations. She subsequently led workforce transformation in the ABF and served as Chief of Staff to the Commissioner.
She lives near Canberra with her family and is actively involved in community organisations.

Alicia leads NQA’s commercial teams and all customer touchpoints at Cairns Airport, including operational teams in terminals, security, aerodrome and emergency response. Alicia has over 20 years of airport experience having worked across commercial, project delivery, aviation development and operations. Alicia is passionate about developing a strong airport community, and working collaboratively with stakeholders to deliver a safe, secure, efficient and welcoming experience at Cairns Airport. Alicia sits on a number of national committees with industry and government guiding policy decisions impacting air travel, and is heavily involved with the relevant regulatory bodies. She holds a Bachelor of Business (Communications) from Queensland University of Technology and has qualifications in Lean 6 Sigma.

Leigh Balderson is the General Manager, 2050 Operations at Sydney Airport, where she leads work focused on shaping the airport’s future operating environment. Her current priorities include the development of the new Terminal 2/Terminal 3 precinct and supporting border modernisation working on the Common International Departures and Domestic Operations (CIDDO) project. Leigh brings a practical, operations-led perspective to complex transformation, working with partners across government, airlines and the airport community to improve passenger outcomes, strengthen resilience and prepare Sydney Airport for long-term growth.

Jared Feehely is an airport operations executive with over 15 years in the industry, leading the Operations & Service Delivery function at Gold Coast Airport (GCA), part of the Queensland Airports Limited group. His remit spans Airfield Operations, Terminal Operations, Security Operations, Emergency Planning, and Customer Experience.
Jared has led GCA through some significant operational milestones, including the $260m Southern Terminal Expansion, the design and delivery of Swing Functionality, and the airport’s response to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Prior to his current role, he served as a Regional Airports Officer with the Australian Airports Association, giving him a broad appreciation of the challenges facing airports of all sizes across the country.

Davanh is a senior People & Culture leader with more than 25 years of experience helping organisations navigate transformation, growth and change.
Throughout her career, she has partnered with CEOs and executive teams to lead major organisational transformations, including business restructures, mergers and acquisitions, leadership capability initiatives, enterprise bargaining reform and culture change programs.
Her experience spans media, broadcasting, publishing and retail, including executive leadership roles with Seven West Media and, more recently, leading people integration and transformation initiatives across Australia and New Zealand at SSP.
Known for her pragmatic and people-centred approach, Davanh is passionate about building high-performing cultures where leadership, employee experience and business strategy come together to drive sustainable results.
She brings extensive real-world experience in change leadership, organisational effectiveness, culture transformation and the future of work.

Stav Vafeas is an HR consultant and business owner with a strong background in travel retail. She previously held senior executive roles leading operational and people strategy through growth, change and integration. Through her business, Stav Vafeas HR Consulting, she now supports founder-led and growing businesses across a range of industries, helping leaders create confidence and peace of mind by putting the right people practices in place to protect the business, support their teams and strengthen day-to-day operations. Stav is known for her clear, calm and grounded approach, drawing on both her in-house executive experience and current advisory work to provide practical, commercially focused HR support.

Carol Nazha is a people-first, human-centred HR leader with over 12 years of experience across the hospitality and retail industries. She has successfully led organisational transformation, digitalisation, DEIB, and compliance initiatives, delivering people strategies that balance commercial success with employee wellbeing.
Known for her empathy, adaptability, and strong work ethic, Carol thrives in fast-paced environments and is skilled at navigating complex people matters, conflict resolution, and change. She is passionate about building inclusive, high-performing cultures where people feel valued, empowered, and safe to contribute. Carol believes great leadership is built on authenticity, trust, and creating opportunities for others to do their best work.

Zoe Collyer is a passionate People & Culture professional who believes that passion inspires people to perform at their best and drives engagement, commitment, and success. With experience across learning and workforce development, employee relations, workplace health and safety (WHS), and project management, she brings a versatile and practical approach to supporting people and businesses.
A true HR generalist, Zoe enjoys partnering with leaders and teams to build positive workplace cultures, develop capability, and create environments where people can thrive.

Dominic Cain is the Managing Director of SSP Australia & New Zealand, the region’s leading airport food and beverage operator. He is responsible for a business spanning more than 115 venues across 14 airports in Australia and New Zealand, employing over 2,400 people and serving millions of travellers each year through a portfolio of globally recognised and locally loved hospitality brands.
With more than 30 years of experience in hospitality, retail and aviation, Dominic has held senior leadership roles across commercial, operational and business transformation functions. Since taking on the role of Managing Director, he has led significant growth and change initiatives, including the successful integration of Airport Retail Enterprises into SSP, creating the largest airport food and beverage business in Australia.
Dominic is passionate about building high-performing teams, fostering innovation and delivering exceptional customer experiences that enhance the passenger journey. His focus on operational excellence, commercial performance and people leadership has helped drive sustainable growth and position SSP as a market leader in airport hospitality across Australia and New Zealand.

Cameron Gardiner is Head of Business Development and Real Estate for WHSmith Australia, where he leads growth across airports, hospitals and emerging retail channels throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Before joining WHSmith, Cameron developed McDonald’s Australia’s national real estate growth strategy and previously worked in commercial valuation and strategic advisory at Cushman & Wakefield.
He also serves on the Property Industry Foundation Beneficiary Review Committee, supporting projects that provide housing for young Australians experiencing homelessness.

Adam Posner is the CEO and Founder of The Point of Loyalty, a specialist customer loyalty and loyalty program advisory.
Since 2007, Adam has been helping brands design and deploy customer loyalty and loyalty programs that are strategic, evidence-based, and human.
Adam is the creator of ‘The new loyalty program is a Joyalty Program’ passionate about adding “Moments of Magic” elevate loyalty programs beyond transactions.
He has designed and deployed customer loyalty, retention and loyalty program strategies across retail, shopping centres, QSR, hospitality, hotels, financial services, health insurance, childcare, leisure, entertainment, and B2B industries.
Since 2013, Adam has authored 19 in-depth Australian and New Zealand loyalty research studies under the For Love or Money™ series. This research underpins the Loyalty Program Experience Index (SPVx™) — a benchmark rating loyalty programs on Simplicity, Personalisation, and Value as experienced by members.

Shane de Wit is a commercial, project delivery, operations, sustainability, and WHS executive with an MBA and extensive leadership experience across major Australian airport and infrastructure environments. He has led businesses generating more than $200 million in annual revenue and managed operations serving airports handling between one and 30 million passengers annually.
His expertise spans capital project delivery, airport operations, aviation business development, commercial management, risk, security, and WHSE. Having held executive leadership positions with Melbourne, Newcastle, and Northern Territory Airports, Shane has consistently delivered operational excellence, strategic growth, and business transformation.
A collaborative leader, he has successfully developed high-performing teams and managed complex service provider contracts supporting 24/7 operations with more than 100 staff. He is also a skilled negotiator, having led commercial negotiations worth up to $300 million, including long-term agreements exceeding $40 million annually.
Shane has a proven track record in planning and delivering major capital programs and infrastructure projects valued at up to $140 million, combining strong commercial acumen with a commitment to safety, sustainability, and stakeholder value.

Matt Dyer is an experienced finance executive and business leader with a passion for problem-solving, communication, and helping organisations achieve better outcomes. Beginning his career in a Brisbane accounting firm while studying part-time at university, Matt built a strong foundation in finance and business.
He later joined Arthur Andersen (now EY), where he developed expertise in commercial advisory, stakeholder engagement, and translating complex issues into practical solutions. Matt went on to serve as Chief Financial Officer at Queensland Airports Limited for ten years, where he modernised financial practices and helped build strategic banking partnerships.
Known for his strong communication skills and commercial insight, Matt has earned a reputation as a trusted adviser who simplifies complexity and drives business success. Along the way, he also met his wife and now business partner, Carly.

Paul Zahra is one of Australia’s most respected retail leaders, best known for his tenure as CEO of David Jones — one of the world’s oldest department stores — where he led a landmark transformation of the business during a period of profound disruption to the sector. He subsequently served as CEO of the Australian Retailers Association, giving him an unparalleled vantage point on the structural forces reshaping retail across Australia and globally.
Now operating as a Non-Executive Director, advisor, and mentor, Paul brings deep knowledge of the rise of specialty retail — from beauty powerhouses like Mecca to luxury brands investing in standalone flagships — and a clear-eyed analysis of the consumer behaviour shifts driving these changes. For airport and duty free operators, his perspective on what these trends mean for large-format, multi-category retail environments is both timely and essential.
Paul holds a GAICD qualification and is a Stanford University alumnus.

As Managing Director of Avolta Australia and New Zealand, Matt brings over 11 years of experience from the Food & Beverage industry and now also leads Avolta’s Duty Free business. With a strong background at HMSHost International and deep knowledge of the SEA and AU markets, Matt is known for driving commercial growth across the Airport business and Travel Retail. He is operationally savvy, strategic, and passionate about delivering exceptional travel experiences. Matt excels in building cohesive teams, managing high-performing outlets, and leading transformative change to achieve impactful business outcomes.

Jessica Bath is a commercially focused leader with experience spanning marketing, commercial & strategy roles in Spirits, Wine & RTD, covering both global and local ANZ markets.
At Pernod Ricard, she has held senior roles including Head of Commercial Excellence, Head of Portfolio Strategy & Planning and Senior Brand Manager for Scotch Whiskies, leading portfolio management, category growth strategies, and P&L delivery across Australia and New Zealand.
She brings a sharp understanding of evolving consumer, shopper & lifestyle trends shaping the alcohol category in ANZ.

Rosi Fernandez is an accomplished executive and board member with extensive experience in the retail and luxury sectors across Australia and New Zealand. She has a strong track record of driving business growth, enhancing profitability, and transforming brands through strategic leadership and customer-focused innovation.
With expertise in consumer behaviour, distribution, and brand positioning, Rosi combines data-driven decision-making with a people-centric approach to build high-performing, engaged teams. Her leadership has fostered cultures of innovation, accountability, and respectful challenge, contributing to La Prairie’s recognition as an Employer of Choice.
A skilled negotiator and influencer, Rosi excels at building strong stakeholder relationships and navigating complex business challenges. Passionate about creating meaningful customer experiences, she delivers sustainable growth and long-term value through a balance of commercial acumen, strategic insight, and authentic leadership.

Alan Dugan is the General Manager for Property and Infrastructure at North Queensland Airports Pty Limited. He has a background in civil engineering and has worked in various roles within the aviation industry, including at Cairns Airport, Qatar Airways, and NT Airports. Alan Dugan’s expertise includes Value Engineering, Concrete, Road, Quantity Surveying, Procurement, and more. He has a 1994-1998 Beng Hons in Civil Engineering from The University of Dundee.
Alan Dugan’s contributions to North Queensland Airports are significant, as he is involved in the management of the Eastern Aviation Precinct, which is a key project for the airport’s growth and development. His work aligns with the company’s commitment to sustainability and ESG excellence, as evidenced by their achievement in the GRESB Infrastructure Global ESG Benchmark.
For more information on Alan Dugan’s role and contributions to North Queensland Airports, you can refer to the company’s official website or contact them directly.

Ian Peterson is the Manager, Ground Transport Planning and Performance at North Queensland Airports, where he leads the strategic development, optimisation, and delivery of ground transport solutions across Cairns and Mackay airports. With a strong focus on operational and commercial performance, customer experience and accessibility, and stakeholder collaboration, Ian works closely with commercial partners, and internal teams to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable outcomes.

Rhonda White AO is one of Australia’s most influential figures in pharmacy retail and the co-founder, alongside her husband Terry White, of the Terry White Group. What began as two small community pharmacies on Queensland’s Redcliffe Peninsula evolved into TerryWhite Chemmart, Australia’s largest national pharmacy retail brand, with more than 600 stores nationwide.
A driving force behind this remarkable growth, Rhonda was instrumental in developing the retail systems, operational disciplines and customer-focused strategies that enabled the business to expand from a family-owned enterprise into a nationally recognised franchise network. Drawing on her background in organisational psychology, she brought a deep understanding of consumer behaviour and workforce development, helping to position pharmacy as both a trusted healthcare destination and a leading retail experience.
Throughout her career, Rhonda has been passionate about investing in people. She championed education and professional development across pharmacy teams, recognising that empowered and highly skilled staff were essential to delivering consistent customer service and supporting sustainable business growth.
Her contributions to business and the community have been widely recognised. In 2011, she was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame, and in 2013 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the pharmacy profession. She has also served on numerous boards across the health, energy, arts and research sectors. Rhonda White’s legacy is one of visionary leadership, entrepreneurship and an unwavering commitment to people, innovation and community pharmacy.

Nick was appointed CEO of EBOS Retail Pharmacy Brands in November 2025.
With more than 20 years of leadership and executive experience, Nick brings a proven track record in the retail pharmacy sector. In his current role, Nick oversees the group’s retail pharmacy brands and pharmacy services businesses, including TerryWhite Chemmart and Cincotta.
Nick joined Chemmart in 2008 and, prior to his current appointment, was the Executive General Manager of TerryWhite Chemmart.
Nick holds a Bachelor of Business from Southern Cross University.

Edward Tanzil is the Managing Director of APGP Management Pharmacy Specialists and has been a practising Community Pharmacist for the past 20 years. Holding a B.Pharm (Hons.) degree from Sydney University, Edward is a highly active and respected member of the Pharmacy Industry and is a member of both the Pharmacy Guild and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
Edward is passionate about the development and direction of his profession and contributes his time sitting on various Brand Advisory Committees within the industry. He is a strong believer in collaborative partnerships and maintains strong relationships with leaders across both Pharmacy and Medical Health sectors.
APGP Management, currently owns and operates a network of 15+ Community Pharmacies nationally, trading across multiple National Pharmacy Brands including: Amcal, Amcal+ Express, TerryWhite Chemmart and Priceline Pharmacy.
With over half of their portfolio operating out of Major Airports Australia-wide, APGP Management has been a specialist in Airport Pharmacies for the better part of 20 years. Their mission over the coming decade is to satisfy the demand from Australian Travellers to have direct access to a full-line Community Pharmacy at all major Airports prior to travel.
Edward and his team happily invite all enquiries to begin that journey today.

Experienced Executive with an extensive demonstrated history of corporate success in Aviation Operations, Security, Risk, Emergency Planning, Crisis Management and Business Continuity. Skilled in leading teams to achieve optimal performance, business resilience and compliance across private and public sectors – having led teams in Australia, South-East Asia and the South Pacific, managing portfolios and building relationships across organisations to create sustainable, financially efficient customer focussed solutions.
Passionate about supporting others to find their potential and develop into high performing individuals.

Won Dechpinya is Senior Director, Channel & Franchise Excellence – Australia at The Coca-Cola South Pacific, leading the Away From Home business across Australia. She is responsible for driving channel growth and commercial strategy, bringing Coca-Cola’s portfolio of brands to life across consumer touchpoints.
With experience across ASEAN and the South Pacific in revenue growth management and commercial leadership, Won is passionate about understanding evolving consumer behaviour and translating insights into growth opportunities. She has a particular interest in how brands, AI, data, and digital technologies are reshaping consumer experiences and driving growth across the retail sectors.

With over 25 years of experience, Tony excels in delivering innovative solutions that bring maximum value to our clients’ projects. He is a National Director and National Aviation Sector Lead.
As a trusted aviation specialist, Tony has been onsite at Melbourne Airport leading our team in the delivery of cost management services for significant PMO projects for over 10 years. He has been at the helm of a range of complex and high profile projects including terminal expansions, runways, retail and commercial projects, lounges and business parks.
Additionally, Tony brings a diverse portfolio of construction projects including new construction, improvement works, refurbishments and fitouts, commercial, retail, industrial and residential projects. He has also fulfilled Superintendent and Project Certifier roles on notable developments including the Melbourne Convention Centre, South Wharf mixed use development and AFP office at Melbourne Airport.
Tony’s history with WT spans almost 15 years ensuring he has a strong understanding of client expectations and the ability to anticipate and solve potential risks.
He was appointed a Director in 2011.

Belinda Clarke is the Chief Executive Officer of the Interior Fitout Association (IFA), Australia’s peak industry body representing businesses involved in the design, manufacture, supply and installation of commercial interior environments.
As CEO, Belinda is focused on strengthening industry advocacy, growing member engagement, expanding education opportunities and elevating the profile of the interior fitout sector nationally. She works closely with government, industry leaders, educators and businesses to address workforce challenges, promote industry best practice and support the long-term sustainability of the sector.
Belinda is a passionate advocate for skills development, innovation and the important role the fitout industry plays in creating the spaces where Australians work, learn, shop and connect. She regularly represents the industry in discussions on workforce development, business growth, productivity and the future of the built environment.
Known for her practical and engaging approach, Belinda brings a unique perspective that combines industry leadership with firsthand experience working alongside businesses of all sizes. Her presentations are valued for their relevance, authenticity and focus on delivering practical insights that audiences can take away and apply immediately.

Davina has 15 years of senior leadership experience specialising in General Management and Human Resources Management across food retail, FMCG, and multisite business operations. Prior to joining ELR in July 2022 she has led HR functions focusing on creating values-led businesses with best practice HR processes and operational excellence. She is passionate about driving business performance through operational excellence and leadership of team members and prides herself on driving high performance cultures. Davina has a Bachelor of Business in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management from RMIT University after joining ELRA in July 2022 and stepped into the Regional Director role in February 2024

Angela Spillane is a Brisbane-based interior designer and Principal of studiospillane, an Australian commercial interior design studio working across aviation, hospitality, hotel and public-facing commercial environments.
With more than 25 years’ experience, Angela has worked on projects in London, Vietnam, New Zealand and across Australia. She has partnered with Brisbane Airport since 2011 and Cairns Airport since 2018, with particular experience in airport terminals, airport hospitality, airport retail and tenancy environments.
Angela’s work brings together human experience, practical delivery, commercial understanding and sustainability in practice. She believes successful interior design is more than a beautiful space, it is a business advantage.
Angela is a Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia, a member of the DIA National Interior Design Working Group, and Chair of Artisan, Queensland’s centre for craft and design. She taught interior design at QUT for more than two decades and continues to mentor emerging designers.

Jay Boughton is a senior property and portfolio executive with more than 25 years of experience across aviation, retail, commercial, telecommunications and industrial property sectors. He has held leadership roles with major institutional owners and developers, overseeing complex portfolios, critical infrastructure assets, leasing, asset management, site acquisitions and major capital projects.
Jay has extensive expertise in developing and implementing portfolio strategies, leading complex commercial negotiations and managing high-value assets in dynamic environments. He is recognised for his ability to balance commercial performance, operational needs, governance and risk while delivering strong long-term asset outcomes.
Postgraduate qualified in Applied Finance, Jay brings strong financial analysis, feasibility, budgeting and commercial decision-making skills to strategic property management. He has a proven track record of securing executive and board approval for major initiatives and delivering results through multidisciplinary teams and diverse stakeholder groups.
Combining strategic thinking with commercial acumen, Jay consistently delivers sustainable value and performance across large-scale property portfolios.

Dominic Cain is the Managing Director of SSP Australia & New Zealand, the region’s leading airport food and beverage operator. He is responsible for a business spanning more than 115 venues across 14 airports in Australia and New Zealand, employing over 2,400 people and serving millions of travellers each year through a portfolio of globally recognised and locally loved hospitality brands.
With more than 30 years of experience in hospitality, retail and aviation, Dominic has held senior leadership roles across commercial, operational and business transformation functions. Since taking on the role of Managing Director, he has led significant growth and change initiatives, including the successful integration of Airport Retail Enterprises into SSP, creating the largest airport food and beverage business in Australia.
Dominic is passionate about building high-performing teams, fostering innovation and delivering exceptional customer experiences that enhance the passenger journey. His focus on operational excellence, commercial performance and people leadership has helped drive sustainable growth and position SSP as a market leader in airport hospitality across Australia and New Zealand.

Nick McAlpine is Commercial Director of Bishopp, Australasia’s largest airport media business.
Over the past decade, he has helped grow Bishopp’s footprint across more than 30 airports in Australia and New Zealand, where terminals have become some of the market’s most valuable advertising real estate.
Bishopp sits at the intersection of aviation and media. It partners with airport authorities to deliver high-impact advertising that enhances the passenger experience, offering brands scale, context, and attention in a captive, high-dwell environment.
Under Nick’s commercial leadership, Bishopp has deepened its airport partnerships and cemented its position as a category leader in out-of-home media.

Matt Quoi is a senior consultant at The Mercurius Group, a commercial advisory firm specializing in airports and non-aeronautical revenue growth. With extensive experience across global operators and leading consumer brands, Quoi has worked with airports in Australia and New Zealand on business optimization, customer experience, and travel retail strategy. His expertise extends to tourism and cultural destinations, including zoos, museums, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Quoi’s contributions to The Mercurius Group’s ecosystem as a contractor and his full-time role with the firm highlight his commitment to supporting the company’s expansion and its diverse team of experts.

Airport’s retail portfolio across international and domestic terminals, as well as Mānawa Bay Premium Outlet Centre. Her team oversees the full retail lifecycle, spanning planning, leasing, development, operations and marketing, and is currently shaping the retail vision for Auckland Airport’s integrated terminal development. Lucy has led several significant commercial transformations, including Auckland Airport’s transition to a single-operator duty free model, aligning the business with global best practice and enhancing outcomes for travellers, retailers and brand partners. With a background in consumer insight and commercial strategy, she brings a strong focus on customer behaviour, retail evolution and commercial growth. Lucy also serves on the Board of the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association and contributes to its sustainability agenda.

Aaron Randell is the Chief Executive of Mountain Jade Group, New Zealand’s leading pounamu (greenstone) retailer, operating across four retail locations: Auckland International Airport, Manawa Bay, and Rotorua. The group’s portfolio spans destination retail, wholesale supply, and manufacturing, encompassing both New Zealand pounamu and a range of international jade and stone products.
Aaron brings a distinctive background to destination retail. With a PhD in high performance sport and prior experience as CEO of a health and wellness organisation in Rotorua, he joined Mountain Jade in early 2025, bringing a leadership style grounded in performance, people, and continuous improvement.
Central to the Mountain Jade offer is the clear and honest distinction between pounamu of New Zealand origin and international jade products, and the integrity this distinction demands across every customer touchpoint. Sixteen months in, Aaron joins this panel with a fresh but considered perspective on what cultural authenticity means in practice, including the group’s relationship with Ngāi Tahu, the kaitiaki of pounamu.

Prudence Pascoe is General Manager of Vending in Australia at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), where she leads the national strategy, commercial performance and transformation of one of the country’s largest unattended retail networks, spanning thousands of machines nationwide.
Operating across high-footfall environments such as airports, transport hubs, healthcare and education, the network brings some of Australia’s most recognised brands – including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Mount Franklin and Powerade – closer to consumers through convenient, on-the-go experiences.
With deep experience across impulse, catering and leisure channels, Prudence specialises in unlocking growth in fast-paced environments, balancing value, convenience and experience. She is driving the evolution of vending through cashless ecosystems, smarter data-led retail strategies and more flexible, customer-led solutions.
Prudence is known for her focus on operational excellence, disciplined investment and building high-performing teams, delivering sustainable growth in increasingly competitive environments. Her work is centred on shaping the future of unattended retail through innovation, strong partnerships and shopper-centric design.

Skye Jackson is a retail growth and innovation leader with almost 20 years’ experience across the convenience industry in Australia. In her current role leading Network Innovation & Growth at 7 Eleven Australia. Skye oversees Store Development, Format Innovation, Network Planning, Construction and Design, helping drive the company’s ambitious expansion agenda and bringing new retail formats to life.
Her previous roles across Operations, Strategy and Merchandise have provided a broad understanding of the convenience customer and the evolving role convenience retail plays within everyday life. Skye has built a reputation for delivering customer led growth strategies, with a strong focus on accessibility, food and beverage convenience and frictionless retail experiences.
Skye is passionate about the future of convenience retail and the role it can play in high footfall, fast moving environments such as airports and transit hubs. Her experience spans both operational execution and long term strategic planning, giving her a practical perspective on how convenience brands can evolve to better serve modern customers.

Simon Westaway is one of Australia’s most experienced business strategy, advocacy and corporate affairs leaders, with more than 25 years of executive experience across aviation, tourism, resources, agriculture and private health. He is currently Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Airports Association, representing Australia’s $105 billion airports sector and leading national advocacy on behalf of the industry.

Ivo Favotto is a highly regarded airport, infrastructure and travel retail executive with more than 30 years of international experience. He is the Founder, CEO and Managing Director of The Mercurius Group, which advises airports, infrastructure investors and brands across the Asia-Pacific region on growth, commercial strategy and investment opportunities.
Ivo has worked with numerous major airports in Australia and internationally, including Heathrow, Auckland, Perth, Brisbane and Western Sydney Airport. Prior to founding Mercurius, he held senior leadership roles with global travel retail companies Lagardère Travel Retail and The Nuance Group, leading business development, strategy and major concession agreements worldwide.
Earlier in his career, he served as General Manager – Planning & Economics with the Federal Airports Corporation and held consulting roles with Arthur Andersen, Ernst & Young and URS. Ivo is also the founder of several globally recognised airport commercial benchmarking studies and is a leading authority on airport revenue and retail performance.