Federico Germani has joined gategroup as chief commercial officer.
He will be based in Zurich and report to the chief executive, Xavier Rossinyol.
The role is a critical business position which oversees the commercial management team as well as gategroup’s global customers, ensuring commercial alignment and coordination across the entire global network.
On top of global account management, the chief commercial officer remit will also incorporate the retail on board business and a new customer experience function.
Incorporating the latter will enable gategroup to provide a unified commercial approach to the airlines which are increasingly adopting a combination of catering and retail solutions.
It will also ensure a unique understanding of the consumer needs, both of retail and catering, by leveraging on consumer analytics and business intelligence.
The new customer experience function area will focus on developing end-to-end experiences for customers and driving their commercialization together with the account management teams.
Germani is a seasoned aviation industry expert with more than 14 years of experience in the LATAM Group where he held the position of corporate senior vice president for services & innovation.
Rossinyol said: “Federico brings to gategroup a unique understanding of the differential value that an airline can deliver for its passengers through catering and retail solutions – and of how much it can benefit from them.
“Through these organisational changes under Federico’s leadership, we want to further reinforce our focus on the consumer at the centre of our commercial strategy and accelerate the development of the most innovative products and services.”