1. Meet Avolta
  2. Our Leadership

Committed to empowering travelers and creating value for all our stakeholders.

Our company culture is one where our people thrive and are proud to be a part of. All with the ultimate goal of making the journey as rewarding as the destination for all our stakeholders.

Avolta's Leadership

Avolta’s leadership is founded on timeless core principles: our team members are central to our success, and diversity leads to enriched decision-making. Together, we are creating an inspiring and rewarding place for our people to belong and grow together, guaranteeing value for all our stakeholders.

Our Board of Directors

Juan Carlos Torres Carretero
Executive Chairman Chair of the SIC (Strategy and Integration Committee)
Alessandro Benetton
Honorary Chairman Independent and Non-executive
Sami Kahale
Vice-Chairman Independent and Non-executive Member of the Audit Committee, of the ESG Committee and of the SIC (Strategy and Integration) Committee
Enrico Laghi
Vice-Chairman Independent and Non-executive Member of the Remuneration Committee, of the Nomination Committee and of the SIC (Strategy and Integration) Committee
Heekyung Jo Min
Lead Independent Director Independent and Non-executive Chair of the ESG Committee and Member of the of the Nomination Committee and of the Audit Committee
Xavier Bouton
Independent and Non-executive
Mary J. Steele Guilfoile
Independent and Non-executive Chair of the Audit Committee and Member of the Nomination Committee
Luis Maroto Camino
Independent and Non-executive Chair of the Remuneration Committee and Member of the Audit Committee
Joaquín Moya-Angeler Cabrera
Independent and Non-executive Chair of the Nomination Committee and Member of the Remuneration Committee and of the SIC (Strategy and Integration) Committee
Ranjan Sen
Independent and Non-executive
Eugenia M. Ulasewicz
Independent and Non-executive Member of the Remuneration Committee and of the ESG Committee
Katia Walsh
Independent and Non-executive Member of the ESG Committee
Juan Carlos
Juan Carlos Torres Carretero
Executive Chairman Chair of the SIC (Strategy and Integration Committee) born 1949
Education
  • MS in Physics from Universidad Complutense de Madrid
  • MS in Management from MIT’s Sloan School of Management
Professional Background
  • Many years of private equity and senior management operating experience
  • 1988 Joined Advent International, a private equity firm, in Boston as a partner
  • 1991 – 1995 Partner at Advent International in Madrid
  • 1995 – 2016 Managing Director and Senior Partner in charge of Advent International Corporation’s investment activities in Latin America
Current Board Mandates

Listed companies:
Avolta AG

Not listed companies or organizations:
None

Alessandro Benetton
Alessandro Benetton
Honorary Chairman Independent and Non-executive born 1964
Education
  • BBA from Boston University
  • MBA from Harvard Business School
Professional Background
  • Chairman, CEO and founder of 21 Invest S.p.A. (since 1992)
  • Member of the Board of Directors of Autogrill S.p.A. (1997 – 2023)
  • President of the Cortina 2021 Foundation to organize the Alpine Ski World Championships (2017 – 2021)
  • Chairman of the Benetton Group (2012 – 2013)
  • Board member of Robert Bosch International Holdings AG (2002 – 2018)
  • Chairman of the Benetton Formula 1 Racing Team (1988 – 1998)
  • Chairman of Edizione S.p.A. (since 2022)
  • Vice chairman of Atlantia S.p.A. (since 2023)
Current Board Mandates

Listed companies:
Avolta AG

Not listed companies or organizations:
Edizione S.p.A., 21 Invest S.p.A., 21 Invest SGR S.p.A., 21 Invest France SAS, Mundys S.p.A. (formerly Atlantia S.p.A.), Fremantle Italy (Advisory Committee), University of Naples Parthenope, Fondazione Imago Mundi

 

Sami Kahale
Sami Kahale
Vice-Chairman Independent and Non-executive Member of the Audit Committee, of the ESG Committee and of the SIC (Strategy and Integration) Committee born 1961
Education
  • Degree from University of Notre Dame (Indiana)
  • MBA from Babson College (Massachusetts)
Professional Background

Since 1998 various Senior Leadership positions at Procter & Gamble including:

  • 2003 – 2007: Vice President Health & Beauty Care, Central Eastern Europe/Middle East, Africa
  • 2007 – 2014: Vice President Italy
  • 2014 – 2017: Vice President Southern Europe region
  • 2018 – 2021: General Manager and CEO of Esselunga S.p.A.
  • Since 2023: Operating Partner at Advent international
Current Board Mandates

Listed companies:
Avolta AG

Not listed companies or organizations:
IRCA S.p.A. (Chairman of the Board since 2022), Bolton Group, Bauli Group (Innovation Advisory Board), Marymount International School (Vice-Chairman of the Board since 2013)

Enrico Laghi
Enrico Laghi
Vice-Chairman Independent and Non-executive Member of the Remuneration Committee, of the Nomination Committee and of the SIC (Strategy and Integration) Committee born 1969
Education
  • Degree in Business Administration – La Sapienza University of Rome
  • Professor of Accounting & Finance at the La Sapienza University of Rome
Professional Background
  • Since 2005 Chairman of the consultancy firm Studio Laghi (and previously Board Member since 2003)
  • Member of the board of directors and of the board of statutory auditors of companies also listed on the Italian stock exchange market such as: 2006 – 2014 Pirelli & C. S.p.A., 2010 – 2018 Beni Stabili S.p.A., 2012 – Gruppo Editoriale L’Espresso S.p.A., 2013 – 2017 Unicredit S.p.A., 2013 – 2019 Acea S.p.A.
  • Since 2022 Board Member Abertis Infraestructuras SA
  • Chairman of Edizione S.p.A. (2020-2022)
  • Since 2023 Chief Executive Officer of Edizione S.p.A.
Current Board Mandates

Listed companies:
Avolta AG

Not listed companies or organizations:
Edizione S.p.A., Mundys S.p.A. (formerly Atlantia S.p.A.), Abertis Infraestructuras SA, Studio Laghi S.r.l., Edizione Property S.p.A.

Heekyung Jo Min
Heekyung Jo Min
Lead Independent Director Independent and Non-executive Chair of the ESG Committee and Member of the of the Nomination Committee and of the Audit Committee born 1958
Education
  • Ph. D in Business Administration from Seoul Business School (aSSIST)
  • MBA from Columbia Graduate School of Business in New York
  • BA from Seoul National University
Professional Background
  • Many years of diverse management and leadership experience
  • 2004 – 2005 Executive Vice President at Prudential Investment and Securities Co. in Korea
  • 2006 Country Advisor, Global Resolutions in Korea
  • 2007 – 2010 Director General of the Investment Promotion Bureau at the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) in Korea
  • 2011 – 2013 Chief HR Officer of CJ Corporation in Korea
  • Since 2013, Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility of CJ CheilJedang
  • Ms. Min speaks regularly on the subject of sustainability and ESG (Environment, Social, Governance)
Current Board Mandates

Listed companies:
Avolta AG


Not listed companies or organizations:
Asia New Zealand Foundation (Honorary Advisor) and CJ Welfare Foundation.

Xavier Bouton
Xavier Bouton
Independent and Non-executive born 1950
Education
  • Diploma in Economics and Finance from l’Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Bordeaux
  • Doctorate in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Bordeaux
Professional Background
  • 1978 – 1984 Director of C.N.I.L. (Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés)
  • 1985 – 1994 General Secretary of Reader’s Digest Foundation
  • 1990 – 2005 Board member of Laboratoires Chemineau
  • 1999 – 2021 Board member of ADL Partners
  • 2005 – 2017 Board member of Dufry AG
  • Since 1999 Chairman of the Supervisory Board of FSDV (Fayenceries de Sarreguemines Digoin & Vitry le François) based in Paris, France
  • Since 2021 Chairman of the Board of Directors of Edeis 

 

Current Board Mandates
  • Avolta AG
  • FSDV (Chairman of the Supervisory Board)

 

Not listed companies or organizations:
Edeis

Mary Steele
Mary J. Steele Guilfoile
Independent and Non-executive Chair of the Audit Committee and Member of the Nomination Committee born 1954
Education
  • Bachelor of Science from Boston College Carroll School of Management
  • MBA from Columbia Business School
  • Licensed, certified public accountant
Professional Background
  • 1996 – 2000 Partner, CFO and COO of The Beacon Group, LLC, a private equity, strategic advisory and wealth management partnership.
  • 2000 – 2002 Several management positions such as Executive Vice President and Corporate Treasurer at JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Chief Administrative Officer of its investment bank.
  • Served previously on the Board of Directors of Viasys Healthcare Inc. (2001 – 2005), Valley National Bancorp (2003 – 2018), Boston College (1991 – 2011) and Hudson Ltd. (2018 – 2020).
  • Serves as a member of the Boards of Directors of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (since 2012), The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (since 2007) and Pitney Bowes, Inc. (since 2018).
  • Since 2002 serves as Chairwoman of MG Advisors, Inc. and has been a Partner of The Beacon Group, LP since 1998.
Current Board Mandates

Listed companies:
Avolta AG, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. and Pitney Bowes, Inc.

Not listed companies or organizations:
Chair of MG Advisors, Inc., Boston College (Trustee Associate), The Beacon Group, LP

Luis Maroto
Luis Maroto Camino
Independent and Non-executive Chair of the Remuneration Committee and Member of the Audit Committee born 1964
Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in Law from the Universidad Complutense Madrid
  • MBA from the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de la Empresa, Madrid (IESE)
  • Further qualifications from Stanford, Harvard Business School, INSEAD and IMD
     
Professional Background
  • 2000 Joined Amadeus IT Group, a leading player in the travel and tourism industry, where he served as Deputy CEO, CFO and Director Marketing Finance
  • Prior to joining Amadeus, he held several managerial positions at the Bertelsmann Group
  • Since 2011, CEO and President of Amadeus IT Group
Current Board Mandates

Listed companies:
Avolta AG and Amadeus IT Group.

Not listed companies or organizations:
None

Joaquin Moya Angeler
Joaquín Moya-Angeler Cabrera
Independent and Non-executive Chair of the Nomination Committee and Member of the Remuneration Committee and of the SIC (Strategy and Integration) Committee born 1949
Education
  • Master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Madrid
  • Diploma in economics and forecasting from the London School of Economics and Political Science
  • MS in management from MIT’s Sloan School of Management.
Professional Background
  • Career focused on the technology and real estate industries, including having founded a number of companies
  • Chairman of the Board of Directors of various companies: IBM Spain (1990-1994), Leche Pascual (1994 – 1997), Meta4 (1997 – 2002), TIASA (1996 – 1998), and Hildebrando (2003 – 2014)
  • Served previously on the Board of Directors of Dufry AG (2005 – 2018) and Hudson Ltd. (2018 – 2021)
  • To date Chairman of the Board of Directors of La Quinta Real Estate (since 1994), Chairman of the Board of Directors of Corporación Empresarial Pascual (since 1994), Chairman of the Board of Directors of Avalon Private Equity (since 1999)
  • Serves on the advisory boards of private equity firms Palamon Capital Partners and MCH Private Equity
Current Board Mandates

Listed companies:
Avolta AG

Not listed companies or organizations:
Corporación Empresarial Pascual, Avalon Private Equity, Palamon Capital Partners (Board of Advisors), MCH Private Equity (Board of Advisors).

Ranjan Sen
Ranjan Sen
Independent and Non-executive born 1969
Education
  • Degree in Business Administration from Richmond University in London

 

 

Professional Background
  • Many years of private equity and banking experience
  • 2003 Joined Advent International as Director
  • Since 2016 Managing Partner at Advent International
  • Member of the European and Asian Investment Advisory Committee and Head of the German office in Frankfurt of Advent International
Current Board Mandates

Listed companies:
Avolta AG and InPost Poland

Not listed companies or organizations:
Hermes Germany GmbH

Eugenia Ulasewicz
Eugenia M. Ulasewicz
Independent and Non-executive Member of the Remuneration Committee and of the ESG Committee born 1953
Education
  • Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Professional Background
  • Many roles as a global retail industry executive, most recently as President, Burberry Americas until 2013.
  • Serves on the Board of Directors of Signet Jewelers (since 2014), is Chair of the Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee
  • Vince Holding Corp (since 2014) Chair of the Compensation Committee and a member of Audit Committee
  • ASOS Plc (since 2020) Chair of the ESG Committee and a member of Audit and Remuneration Committees
  • Served on the Board of Directors of Hudson, Ltd (2018-2020) and Bunzl plc (2011-2020)
Current Board Mandates

Listed companies:
Avolta AG, Signet Jewelers Ltd. and Vince Holding Corporation

Not listed companies or organizations:
None

Katia Walsh
Katia Walsh
Independent and Non-executive Member of the ESG Committee born 1967
Education
  • Ph.D. in Strategic Communication from the University of Missouri-Columbia in USA
Professional Background
  • Currently serves as Harvard Business School’s Chief Digital Officer and member of executive leadership team
  • First Chief Global Strategy and Artificial Intelligence Officer, and a member of the executive leadership team at Levi Strauss & Co. 
  • First Chief Global Big Data and AI Officer at Vodafone Group, and co-founder of the Chief Customer Office at Prudential Financial
  • 2023 Swiss Cognitive Global AI Ambassador, 2022 Global Data Power and Top 50 Women of San Francisco, and received the 2021 global AI Mentorship Award by VentureBeat
Current Board Mandates

Listed companies:
Avolta AG

Not listed companies or organizations:
Securian Financial, Global Legal Entity Indentifier Foundation

Global Executive Committee

Xavier Rossinyol
Chief Executive Officer
Yves Gerster
Chief Financial Officer
Freda Cheung
President & CEO Asia Pacific
Steve Johnson
President & CEO North America
Luis Marin
President & CEO Europe, Middle East and Africa
Enrique Urioste
President & CEO Latin America
Pascal C. Duclos
Group General Counsel
Camillo Rossotto
Chief Public Affairs & ESG Officer
Vijay Talwar
Chief Commercial and Digital Officer
Katrin Volery
Chief People & Culture Officer
Xavier Rossinyol
Xavier Rossinyol
Chief Executive Officer born 1970
Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at ESADE (Spain)
  • MBA at ESADE and at the University of British Columbia (Canada and Hong Kong)
  • Master’s degree in business law from Universidad Pompeu Fabra (Spain)
Professional Background
  • 1995 – 2003 Various positions at Areas (member of the French group Elior) with responsibility for finance, controlling, strategic planning
  • 2004 – 2012 Chief Financial Officer at Avolta AG (then named Dufry AG)
  • 2012 – 2015 Chief Operating Officer Region EMEA & Asia at Avolta
  • 2015 – 2021 Chief Executive Officer at gategroup
  • Since June 2022 Chief Executive Officer at Avolta AG
Yves Gerster
Yves Gerster
Chief Financial Officer born 1978
Education
  • Degree in Business Administration & Finance, University of Basel
Professional Background
  • 1999 – 2003 Assistant Group Treasurer at Danzas Management AG
  • 2003 – 2006 Assistant Group Treasurer at Bucher Industries AG
  • Nov 2006 – 2019 Global Head Group Treasury at Dufry International AG
  • Since April 2019 Chief Financial Officer at Avolta AG
Freda Cheung
Freda Cheung
President & CEO Asia Pacific born 1970
Education
  • CA, Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada)
  • BComm (Hons), Accounting from the University of British Columbia
Professional Background
  • Prior to 2006 Various other positions in Accounting and Finance
  • 2006 – 2010 VP Corporate Services World Duty Free (WDF)
  • 2010 – 2017 CEO Canada World Duty Free (WDF)
  • 2017 – 2019 Senior VP Commercial USA/Canada at Dufry
  • 2020 – 2023 EVP & Country General Manager US/Canada at Dufry
  • Since February 2023 President & CEO Asia-Pacific at Avolta AG
Steve Johnson
Steve Johnson
President & CEO North America born 1963
Education
  • Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from the University of Texas at Arlington
Professional Background
  • 1996 – 1998 Group Marketing Director Westfield
  • 1998 – 2000 Head of Airport Management & Dev. Westfield
  • 2000 – 2014 EVP Business Development HMSHost
  • 2014 – 2023 President HMSHost
  • Since February 2023 President & CEO North America at  Avolta AG
Luis Marin
Luis Marin
President & CEO Europe, Middle East and Africa born 1971
Education
  • Degree in Economic Sciences and Business Administration from Universidad de Barcelona
Professional Background
  • 1995 – 1998 Auditor at Coopers & Lybrand
  • 1998 – 2001 Financial Controller at Derbi Motocicletas – Nacional Motor S.A.
  • 2001 – 2004 Head of Finance and Administration of Spanish subsidiaries of Areas (member of the French group Elior)
  • Joined Avolta (then Dufry) in 2004, as Business Controlling Director and since 2012 also responsible for mergers and acquisitions
  • 2014 Appointed Chief Corporate Officer
  • 2018 – 2023 Global Chief Corporate Officer at Avolta
  • Since February 2023 President & CEO Europe, Middle East and Africa at Avolta AG
Enrique Urioste
Enrique Urioste
President & CEO Latin America born 1962
Education
  • Law Degree – University of Montevideo, Uruguay
  • Post Graduate Diploma, International Law – ISS Holland
  • Business Executive Program – IEM, Business School of the University of Montevideo
Professional Background
  • 1999 – 2002 CEO IOSC, Uruguay
  • 2002 – 2007 President & CEO Interbaires Duty Free Shops, Argentina
  • 2007 – 2011 President Airport Division Duty Free Americas, USA
  • 2011 – 2020 CEO Neutral Duty Free Shops, Uruguay
  • 2020 – 2023 General Manager South America Cluster at Avolta AG (then named Dufry AG) 
  • Since March 2023 President & CEO Latin America at Avolta AG
Pascal Duclos
Pascal C. Duclos
Group General Counsel born 1967
Education
  • Licence en droit from Geneva University School of Law
  • LL.M. from Duke University School of Law
  • Licensed to practice law in Switzerland and admitted to the New York Bar
Professional Background
  • 1991 – 1997 Senior attorney at law at Geneva law firm Davidoff & Partners as well as Academic assistant at the University of Geneva School of Law (1994 – 1996)
  • 1999 – 2001 Attorney at law at New York law firm Kreindler & Kreindler
  • 2001 – 2002 Financial planner at UBS AG in New York
  • 2003 – 2004 Senior foreign attorney at law at the Buenos Aires law firm Beretta Kahale Godoy
  • Since 2005 General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Directors at Avolta AG
Camillo Rossotto
Camillo Rossotto
Chief Public Affairs & ESG Officer born 1962
Education
  • MBA from L. Stern School of Business in New York
  • Degree in Political Science from the University of Turin
Professional Background
  • Prior to 2011 different roles and functions within several companies including Fiat and Barilla
  • 2011 – 2012 Chief Financial Officer CNH, part of Fiat
  • 2012 – 2016 Chief Financial Officer Rai TV
  • 2016 – 2018 Chief Financial Officer Lavazza
  • 2018 – 2023 Chief Financial Officer & Chief Sustainability Officer Autogrill
  • Since February 2023 Chief Public Affairs & ESG Officer at Avolta AG
Vijay_Talwar
Vijay Talwar
Chief Commercial and Digital Officer born 1971
Education
  • MBA Marketing & Strategy from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business
  • M. Acc, Accounting from the Miami University, Ohio
Professional Background
  • 2010 – 2014 CEO/CFO Blue Nile
  • 2016 – 2019 President Digital Footlocker
  • 2020 – 2021 CEO EMEA and Global CIO Footlocker
  • 2019 – 2022 CEO EMEA Footlocker
  • 2022 CEO WISH
  • February 2023 – October 2023 Chief Digital & Customer Officer at Avolta AG
  • Since October 2023 Chief Commercial and Digital Officer at Avolta AG
Katrin_Volery
Katrin Volery
Chief People & Culture Officer born 1968
Education
  • Diploma from the HSO Business School Switzerland
  • Diploma from WKS Business Management
  • Certificate in Strategic Leadership by IMD
Professional Background
  • 2000 – 2015 various positions and mid/long term HR Leader assignments
  • 2015 – 2016 CHRO Tamedia (TX Group)
  • 2016 – 2017 Head HR Syngenta
  • 2018 – 2020 Head HR EurAsia and Global Paper Solenis
  • 2020 – 2022 CHRO Meraxis (REHAU Group)
  • 2022 – 2023 Chief People Officer at Avolta AG (then named Dufry AG)
  • Since February 2023 Chief People & Culture Officer at Avolta AG

Journey On.

At Avolta, we put travelers at the heart of our business. Responsive to evolving needs, we deliver unparalleled value across every step of their journey with the ultimate mission of reimagining travel together. We make every journey as rewarding as the destination.

Discover our story

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