Special Report
David Young – a tribute
David Young was ITCA president from 2008 to 2010 and ITCA chairman until he resigned at the end of June
OnBoard Hospitality invites a couple of David’s close friends to talk about his career, personality and massive contribution to the industry.
Odd Engebretsen, Thai Airways, Bangkok: “The first time I met David was in Perth,
Australia in August 2001. Gate Gourmet had just opened a new facility in the city and the future was looking bright. However, less than a month later came the September 11 attack and the subsequent demise of both Ansett and Swissair. Gate Gourmet had bought all the kitchens
from Ansett in 2009 but it proved hard to get paid for the services rendered. A lot of work was put in place to establish a baseline for invoicing going forward. The challenge was that the two businesses were miles apart in the value each believed was payable. David was sent to offer Henning Boysen and I a settlement with a number which was ambitious to say the least ! Time and events overtook us all with the
subsequent collapse, not only of Ansett, but also Gate Gourmet in Australia. These events caused a huge upheaval throughout the industry and in our respective roles. However, we remained good friends and regularly met up in Sydney or
all the flights he had taken on Qantas during his employment. Needless to say, Melbourne and Bangkok were some of the places most visited. Our most recent time together was during the
APOT conference in Bali over a great dinner with good friends at the W Hotel, Bali. Although David has stepped down as chairman
of ITCA it does not mean that he has gone for good and I look forward for our next encounter somewhere in the world.”
“David’s frank and open approach has made him a much-trusted colleague as well as a highly respected business partner.”
Bangkok for a meal and a good bottle of wine. When I joined Thai Airways I had the good
fortune of being able to enjoy David’s company before he set sail for the UK. I knew he wanted to develop his career further and he had landed an ‘interesting’ job with Watermark. Before he left Qantas there was a great farewell
at head office in Sydney where David’s ‘Boss’ Lesley Grant, presented him with a scroll. Not a scroll about his achievements, but a scroll listing
Alison Abbott, Watermark, New Zealand: “I have had the pleasure of being associated with David for over ten years. As someone reporting to him in a variety of roles in various companies, he has been a tremendous mentor. He has the ability to get the best from people by encouraging their views and never inhibiting them by his own pre-conceived notions. David places the highest value on relationships
and he is an accomplished business networker. His frank and open approach has made him a much-trusted colleague as well as a highly respected business partner. His academic achievements are diverse and impressive and his wide range of interests makes him a stimulating conversationalist. He is a fantastic host and those of us who have spent time in his home are well aware of his sense of style and culinary expertise. His commitment to family and friends is enduring which make us all so lucky to be part of his special world.”
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