As President of the Duty Free World Council, Sarah Branquinho is an active advocate for the duty-free and travel retail industry and the key role it plays in enhancing transport infrastructure and the passenger experience.

Sarah began her career in duty-free and travel retail as TFWA’s first Commercial Director. A decade later, she moved into industry advocacy, serving as Secretary General of the European Travel Research Foundation from 1995, where she played a pivotal role in the successful campaign against the abolition of intra-EU duty-free sales.

She subsequently joined BAA and its retail division, World Duty Free (now part of Avolta), as Director of External Affairs. She later served as Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Dufry and as External Affairs Advisor, with Avolta supporting her ongoing contributions to the Duty Free World Council (DFWC).

Alongside her executive roles, Sarah has held numerous senior industry positions, including Chair of the UK Travel Retail Forum (2009–2018), President of the European Travel Retail Confederation (2012–2018), and World Business Partner observer on the ACI Europe Board.

In December 2025, Sarah was elected as President of the leading global industry association, TFWA.

She is also Chair of Women in Travel Retail+ which offers networking opportunities and career support to women in the travel retail industry.