Qatar Duty Free kicks off 2025 with leadership team appointments
(Left to Right) Sara Di Carlo, Head of Luxury Retail Operations; Vanessa Lixiong Xian takes the helm as Head of Strategy and Program; Kate Kiddle, Head of Loyalty (front); Thabet Musleh, Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer, Qatar Airways Group; Ria Chauhan, Head of Procurement (front); Joanne Morris, Confectionery Category Manager; Sonia Marie Imasdounian, Head of HR Qatar Duty Free
Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has announced six key appointments to its senior leadership team, marking the start of a new chapter in its vision for this year. 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 February 3 press release said.
With a workforce comprising more than 78 nationalities and a headcount that has tripled to more than 5,000 in the past three years, QDF remains 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 adds value to the business and ensures the organization maintains its level of quality service and operational excellence. As the business evolves, QDF remains focused on strengthening its leadership team to meet new challenges and capitalize on future opportunities.
Vanessa Lixiong Xian takes the helm as Head of Strategy and Program, bringing more than 15 years of expertise in retail and program management. Reporting directly to Thabet Musleh, Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer, Xian 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. Her responsibilities include overseeing program 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 programs at organizations like Formula 1 and British Airways, Kiddle is well-positioned to elevate QDF’s loyalty offering and deliver exceptional value to customers.
Sonia Marie Imasdounian has been appointed as Head of HR Qatar Duty Free where she will lead HR initiatives across QDF’s Retail and Hospitality Divisions, supporting talent development and employee engagement. Imasdounian’s extensive experience at organizations such as Flutter International and Marriott International will enable her to foster collaboration and further strengthen QDF’s dynamic workforce.
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 that will strengthen the organization’s market position. With 22 years of retail experience, Morris joins the team from her former role as a Global Account Manager for Whyte & Mackay, with previous roles at Beam Suntory, Harding and World Duty Free.
Sara Di Carlo has taken the role of Head of Luxury Retail Operations. Di Carlo will be responsible for leading the luxury department at QDF, managing their world-class brands, maximizing sales and ensuring the highest level of exceptional 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. Prior to that, she held roles within the LVMH group for 10 years working for Celine, Louis Vuitton and DKNY, as well as holding senior roles 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 and the Chalhoub Group, Chauhan will focus on enhancing QDF’s luxury beauty offerings, ensuring QDF remains a leader in the beauty retail space.
“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,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer Thabet Musleh. “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.”
