James Prescott is one of travel retail’s most experienced and internationally respected leaders, with a career spanning more than 35 years across cruise, airport and global brand environments. His professional journey has taken him across Europe, the Middle East, India and the Americas, holding CEO and senior executive roles with major operators and international brand organisations, including DFA, Harding, Aer Rianta International, World Duty Free and Whyte & Mackay.

He has worked across the full spectrum of ownership models - listed multinationals, family‑owned groups and private‑equity‑backed businesses - giving him a uniquely broad perspective on governance, commercial strategy and organisational performance.

A defining figure in the cruise sector, James led Harding for a decade as CEO and played a central role in the modernisation of cruise retail, influencing commercial models, guest experience and category development across the industry.

Renowned for his strategic clarity, global perspective and ability to lead complex, multi‑market businesses, James is widely regarded as a senior voice in the evolution of global travel retail and a long‑standing contributor to the sector’s progress.