Global duty free retailer Heinemann has appointed Rosi Fernandez as managing director of its Oceania region, which includes Australia and New Zealand.
Fernandez will commence her new role on June 15, with appointment coming after an extensive global search.
The long-running executive joins Heinemann after a 30-year career at La Prairie Group, where was most recently managing director of the AU/NZ region. Under her leadership, La Prairie rose to become a leading skincare brand in distribution in Australia, and opened new sales channels, including a partnership with Heinemann to launch the first La Prairie spa in Sydney Airport, which was also a global first.
Fernandez takes on the role following the exit of George Tsoukalas, who held the role of Oceania MD for nearly seven years until early this year. Tsoukalas has since moved over to Sephora as GM of its AU/NZ market.
Heinemann Asia Pacific CEO Johannes Sammann said Fernandez has a wealth of luxury retail experience, making her the perfect candidate to continue the duty-free retailer’s local vision.
“Rosi has an established, sterling reputation in the travel retail industry, reinforcing our confidence in her seamless transition into the managing director role, and her capability of bringing our business to the next level,” Sammann said.
Fernandez said her appointment at Heinemann comes at a juncture.
“I have known and worked with the Heinemann team in Oceania for the past decade when they have been operating in the region, and have long admired their spirit of collaboration and dedication to retail excellence,” Fernandez said.
“I am very proud to be stepping in to lead that same team now and I am grateful for their and the Heinemann regional management team’s trust in me.”
Once she begins her new position, Fernandez will be responsible for spearheading key strategic initiatives in the Oceania region, steering the direction of Heinemann's airport locations in Sydney, Gold Coast and Auckland, and continuing to hone the team’s operational capabilities to uplift sales and conversion rates.
Prior to La Prairie, Fernandez also held leadership roles at department store David Jones, Australia’s premier luxury department store.
She currently serves as chair of the Cancer Patients Foundation board of Look Good Feel Better and is on the Australian committee for Women in Travel Retail+.