Collie wins Lifetime Achievement Award

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On the eve of his retirement BAA group retail director Brian Collie is presented with the Raven Fox Lifetime Achievement Award

Outgoing BAA group retail director Brian Collie's contribution to the industry was recognised at the inaugural Raven Fox Global Travel Retail Awards in London last week. Following glowing testimonials from his industry peers, Collie was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Raven Fox managing director Paul Kelly and Duty-Free News International editor John Rimmer.

Collie joined BAA in 1992 as retail director at London Gatwick airport and then acquired  the additional role of group duty-free director responsible for the core duty- and tax-free business across all BAA airports. Prior to joining BAA he worked on the UK domestic market for 20 years, most recently as sales director for the Burton Group. He is a founder member of the British Institute of Retailing.

"For Brian there are no sacred cows, no taboos, no forbidden cities when it comes to challenging the accepted boundaries and facing the real issues in our business," said Aer Rianta Retail retail director and European Travel Retail Council president Frank O'Connell. "He has a truly global view of the industry and acted out that view consistently to the benefit of us all. He has been the primary architect behind the 'trinity' movement and debate. He leaves behind him a vastly better industry with a much healthier ability to face up to the real issues openly and honestly. For the industry globally, Brian has led BAA to set the bar at its highest level ever."

L'Oréal Luxury Products Division general manager travel-retail worldwide Eric Lauzat added: "Brian is an exceptional leader whose contribution to the travel-retail industry has been tremendous. His input into our business and his vision of travel-retail will be greatly missed."

On accepting the award, Collie left those attending the evening with the wisdom of comedian Woody Allen: "80% of success is turning up."