Aelia appoints former DFNI editor Rimmer

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John Rimmer has joined French travel retailer Aelia in a new business development role

French travel retailer Aelia has appointed John Rimmer to the new role of deputy director business development. Rimmer, who edited Duty-Free News International from 2004-6, will be based in the company's Paris headquarters and will report to vice president organisation and development Ambroise Fondeur.

Rimmer will focus on identifying new international business opportunities for the retailer, which recently participated in the tender for duty-free at Sydney International airport in a joint venture with JR Duty Free. Aelia currently operates 130 outlets at airports in France and the UK - including Paris Charles de Gaulle, London Luton and Belfast International - and is keen to expand its retail portfolio to other markets.

Fondeur said: "We are very excited to welcome John to our team at Aelia. Aelia has ambitious objectives to grow both in Europe and Asia and John's knowledge and experience of the travel-retail industry will be a key asset in helping Aelia develop internationally."

Rimmer said: "I thoroughly enjoyed my time representing Raven Fox and DFNI, and I'm delighted to be remaining in the industry with an ambitious and forward-looking company. Aelia is determined to make its mark in a highly competitive environment, and I'm looking forward to playing my role."