About Your Speakers
Leaders in Luxury Middle East
Jim Carrington is the group executive responsible for Global Consumer Credit Products at MasterCard Worldwide. His global Consumer Credit organization drives profitable revenue growth through the effective development, management and execution of all consumer credit product initiatives across the company. Through close collaboration with MasterCard customers around the world, his organization develops and leverages innovative consumer credit products and services to bring focus to significant growth opportunities such as winning affluent consumers and other key segments. In addition, Mr. Carrington overseas co-brand, loyalty and rewards solutions across the entire Global Product Group. Under his leadership, the Global Consumer Credit Products group leverages all issuer/merchant/consumer insights (gained at the heart of commerce) to drive both innovation and consumer brand preference at the point of sale.
Mr. Carrington brings over 25 years of experience within the financial services industry. Prior to joining MasterCard Worldwide, his career reflects a progressive history of intensive engagement in product development, affinity/partnership marketing, direct response marketing and affluent market initiatives. Most recently, Mr. Carrington served as a key long-term member of MBNA’s senior management business development team. Jim helped orchestrate the first U.S. bank partnership with American Express. During his tenure, he also developed and enhanced MBNA’s acknowledged direct response marketing expertise over a ten-year period. His insights also include management positions at Mellon Bank, American Express, and Citibank – including direct customer engagement as a branch manager early in his career.
Active in the community, Mr. Carrington is currently a Board Member and previous long-term Board President of Supporting Kidds. His efforts helped transform a grass-roots agency into the leading and only nonprofit organization in Delaware dedicated to providing grief support to children and their families after a significant loss.
Mr. Carrington has an MBA in Marketing from Boston University and a BA in English from the University of Connecticut.
Patrick Chalhoub is the Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Chalhoub Group, a family business which has grown into one of the leading retailers and distributors for 280 luxury brands in the Middle East. Educated in Lebanon and France he holds a Bachelors degree in Economics and Finance. Patrick began his career in 1979 when he decided to become involved in the realization of his father's vision to build a bridge between the East and West and be the ambassador of luxury lifestyle in the region. For the past 30 years, Patrick, along with his parents and brother, has nurtured the growth of the Group in the Middle East, expanding its activities to encompass distribution, retail, marketing and communication for the finest brands within the sectors of Beauty, Fashion and Gifts. Today, in his capacity as the Co-Chief Executive Officer, Patrick's role is to manage the Group's strategic development and ensure its long term success as well as lead his team of over 5000 personnel. Based in Dubai, UAE Patrick Chalhoub is married with two children.
Jean-Claude Biver is one of those rare men who have left a mark on Swiss watchmaking. Jean-Claude has been involved in the watchmaking industry since 1975 and was instrumental in developing elite brands such as Audemars Piguet, Omega, Blancpain and presently Hublot.
Joseph became the Chief Executive of Harvey Nichols in August 1992, having previously been the Group Finance Director for five years of Dickson Concepts which has its headquarters in Hong Kong and engages in the distribution of luxury brands in the Far East. Since August 1992, Harvey Nichols have grown from a domestic one store business to a business of high international reputation and its portfolio today includes six stores and two standalone restaurants in the UK and six overseas stores covering Dublin, Riyadh, Hong Kong, Dubai, Istanbul and Jakarta and its expansion programme, both domestic and overseas, is continuing.
Global citizen and true style maker, Eva is the visionary and driving force behind the multifaceted world of VIVRE. By focusing on living with style through carefully cultivated collections of one-of-a-kind and unexpected pieces found around the world, Lorenzotti has created an alternate universe of fantastic escape via a highly personalized shopping experience. Beginning in 2000 as an editorial-based luxury catalog, VIVRE now reaches over two million customers each year both on and offline. With a growing online presence, VIVRE.com offers hundreds of new products each season, as well as new editorial stories every week. With confidence in her mission and the courage to take risks, Eva is constantly redefining the concept of luxury in today’s market. “In offering shoppers a vision of a lifestyle to go with the merchandise, Eva invented a destination of sorts – a virtual consumer getaway,” says Vanity Fair.
Christian has been Executive Vice President of Hermès International since 2004. Previously he was also the CEO of Hermès Sellier which is the main subsidiary of the Hermès Group, all “métiers”, all manufacturing operations except perfume and watches. Hermès Sellier was the “family company” before the creation of Hermès International.
Stanislas de Quercize has had extensive experience within the Richemont group, serving in 4 Maisons: Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Montblanc and Alfred Dunhill, in various capacities. Stanislas de Quercize is a graduate of Ecole Supérieure de Commerce, a leading French business school in Rouen, and is a licensed lawyer. He is an admirer of contemporary art and has a collection of contemporary art photographs.
Philippe Charriol was 40 when he left his job as executive director of a prestigious watch and jewellery company to found his own company. He was aware of the remarkable knowledge of prestige brands among up-and-coming generations, particularly in Asia, and of their immense respect for fine objects crafted in harmony with traditional forms of know-how. The brand is now present in over 78 countries and has an international network of almost 3,200 points of sale, 485 corners and 88 Charriol boutiques. Around ten exclusive new points of sale are scheduled to open over the next 12 months. The Philippe Charriol company achieved a turnover of more than 95 million euros in 2007, geographically spread out as follows: 40% in Asia, 15% in Europe, 20% in the Middle East and 25% in the United States.
Guillaume brings with him 15 years' of worldwide experience in luxury brand and company management to develop an exceptional brand set to breathe creativity and modernity into Chinese arts and craftsmanship. Guillaume also served as CEO of the TAG Heuer operations in Hong Kong and President and CEO of the Swiss watch manufacturer, Ebel S.A.
Carmine Rotondaro is the Worldwide Real Estate Director of the Gucci Group, for which he has been serving for the last six years. In such a capacity, he coordinates the real estate needs and projects of all the Gucci Group brands and divisions which include, beside Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga.
Dr Concetta Lanciaux, PhD, Executive MBA and former Professor at the Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA - USA), joined Bernard Arnault, Chairman of LVMH in 1985 and has since played a key role in the organizational development of the Groupe Arnault, introducing innovative practices, injecting highly creative designers and strongly contributing to the modernization of the French luxury industry.
Joe’s extensive experience lies in Luxury Goods, Retail, Loyalty Marketing and CRM. He is responsible for the overall development of Montblanc across the Middle East region including brand strategy and distribution management.
Tony Ward, is one of the most creative contemporary designers. He achieved great success at the Italian Haute Couture fashion shows where he has been presenting his Haute Couture collections since more than ten seasons during the Italian fashion week.
Drawing his early inspiration from his family atelier, he pursued his education in Paris where he refined his talent with Gianfranco Ferre' at the Maison Dior, with Karl Lagerfeld at Chloe' Couture and with Claude Montana at Lanvin. His style is modern and dynamic. His signature is a refined silhouette. His work is rich in sophisticated details, fluid, feminine, and overflowing with sensuality.
Today Tony Ward counts members of royal families and International jet set among his clientele and his label is prized throughout the Middle East, the United States and Russia, where in 2007 he opened a showroom.
Sonya de Castelbajac is the Regional Director for the YSL Beaute brands in the Middle East & India. She has lived and worked with luxury brands in the region for eight years since completing Masters Degrees in Business (Luxury Brand Management, ESSEC) and the Arts (Tisch School of the Arts, NYU).
Deborah has managed retail networks both in mono and multi brand environments for Boucheron both in Europe and the Middle East. She co-founded the watch and jewellery division, around the De Beers Diamond Jewellers Master Franchise which now operates 4 stores in the region, and will be opening another 3 in the second half of 2009.
Denis has worked for more than 20 years in the Luxury Fashion Industry and occupied CEO/COO positions with companies such as Polo Ralph Lauren (Europe), Pierre Balmain and Giorgio Armani (France). Denis’ particular focus and passion is emerging markets. He has collaborated with international companies on brand extensions & branding issues. His advice has also been invaluable to new brands and designers from emerging markets on their international distribution and retail strategies.
Werner is responsible for Southern Europe and the Middle East which is a large proportion of the La Prairie Group's business. His portfolio includes all brands in the La Prairie Group.
Coralie has been the creative director for the jewelry lines and the leather goods collections of Philippe Charriol Group since 2001. As a muse for the brand she inputs a new feminine, contemporary and fashionable creativity to CHARRIOL lines of products and communication.
Mehul, Chairman of the 1.2 billion dollar Gitanjali Group is one of the most respected names in the world of jewellery across the world. In just twenty years, he has created India’s most valuable jewellery conglomerate. However, his most significant achievement lies in introducing the very concept of branded jewellery retail in India and its popularization through an investment both in the product and the purchasing experience.
Based in London, Victoria serves eBusiness & Channel Strategy professionals. As a leading expert in eBusiness and using digital channels for retail, online shopping, consumer product goods, and direct selling, her research focuses on the dynamics and trends centered on eCommerce, multichannel trends, and consumer segments. She is also a noted authority on technology developments that affect the online commerce industry and vendors that facilitate online marketing and merchandising.
Victoria has extensive experience in eBusiness strategies for EMEA and emerging markets for Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia, and South Africa. She helps retailers, mail-order catalog merchants, and CPG brands organize for eBusiness and develop growth strategies for digital and multichannel existing and new markets. This includes enabling and optimizing customer-centric online environments, effective cross-channel integration, and customer service. Often this involves understanding best practices around eBusiness operations; resourcing and governance in order to develop effective solutions for global/local customer service; merchandising, fulfillment, and logistics; and supply chain logistics.
Victoria has played an integral role in the launch and development of several notable eSuccess stories over the past 18 years, including among others AOL, BT, canal +, CAT Apparel, Coca-Cola, FedX, GE, Home Depot, Honda Motors, Navman (Brunswick Corp), Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts, Sony, UPS, and Virgin. In addition to her client-side work, she has worked as a senior executive with a number of leading interactive agencies, such as Burson-Marsteller/Young & Rubicam, iXL's (LBi) globalization and localization group, and Sapient. More recently, she founded and later sold eCommerce and mail-order catalog, DIY business, LivingGlass of London.
Victoria has been widely quoted in the press, including such media outlets as American Demographics, Computer World, CNN, Fast Company, and Wired.
Dev has more than 10 years of luxury industry experience having worked with a wide range of important lifestyle/luxury brands in various realms of market research, positioning, brand development and creative marketing.
Nupur’s collection comprises of fine jewellery made from diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds. They are all made by hand in Rajasthan, India by jewellers who have been creating exquisite pieces for generations. The Style is very Imperial with the heart and soul of the collection rooted in the Oriental royal court refreshed a modern touch.
Arshad Hussain has 16 years of experience in UK & International Hotel Sales and Marketing industry.
With extensive experience in Rooms, M&E, Revenue and Marketing designer restaurants.He specialize in UK, European, USA and Middle East markets.
He has worked for major Hotel chains- Forte Hotels, Taj Group of Hotels, Sol Melia, Millennium & Copthorne, Kempinski Hotels. Arshad has worked in Europe, India and Middle East. Arshad is currently working at The Monarch Dubai as Director of Business Development.
Majbritt is a Senior Group Account Director at TNS. She is a consumer insights specialist, having worked for a range of research companies and marketing consultancies in Europe and here in the U.A.E. over the course of her 13 year career. During this time, Majbritt has consulted for a wide range of clients on brand and communications strategy and understanding the consumer psyche. Her experience spans a range of categories including fmcg, high net worth banking and wealth management, travel and tourism, media, telecommunications and convergent technology. Majbritt has a BSc in Psychology from the University of Nottingham in the UK.
Kirsten essentially fell into the digital world and has never wanted to leave since. Currently working as the Web Operations Manager within Jumeirah Group has given her the opportunity to not only work with one of the worlds most innovative luxury brands but also to truly focus on online user experience which is absolutely paramount in the customer service industry.
The Aïshti Group currently employs about 600 staff members and operates 19 outlets and franchise stores in Lebanon, including the country’s only two fashion specialty stores. The Group also opened Aïzone stores in Dubai, Jordan (Amman), Syria (Damascus), and Bahrain (Manama) and Aïshti stores in Syria (Damascus). The group’s strategic move is to continue its expansion into the region. Twelve mono brand stores are scheduled to open by the end of 2009 in Downtown Beirut, and a 32,000-square-meter department store in the Beirut Souks is planned to open in three years. As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Salamé is involved in the day-to-day management of the group and focuses on developing and improving current and new business ventures.
T. B. (Mac) McClelland, Jr., is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Luxury Marketing Council (Middle East), a by-invitation-only, professional association of select top management and leading marketers from major purveyors of luxury goods and services who market to targeted, affluent customers worldwide. He is also President and Chief Executive Officer of Center House Ltd., a consulting firm specializing in business development and business advisory services.
Dan Cappell has been involved in every aspect of the commercial airport business within his seventeen years in the global duty free and travel retail channel of distribution.
During his 22 year career with Nestle SA the last ten years were spent establishing Nestlé’s only global operational business unit to manage the duty free channel of distribution. Dan was widely acclaimed to have established the confectionery category as a major revenue generator, incremental category growth and enhancing the overall consumer offer.
Dan left Nestle in 2002 and joined Abu Dhabi Duty Free and In Flight catering as Deputy Managing Director. During his four years in this role Abu Dhabi Duty achieved the highest spend per head within the Middle East and won 3 Frontier awards for the best marketing campaign in world wide Duty Free.
In May 2006 Dan left Abu Dhabi to join Aer Rianta International Middle East as General Manager Operations. ARI ME operates across the Middle East in Bahrain, Muscat, Qatar, Beirut, Egypt and Cyprus. Dan was responsible for group procurement and retail strategy and development.
Dan returned to Abu Dhabi in November 2007 joining Abu Dhabi Airports Company as Vice President non aero nautical revenue and business development. Within his remit he is responsible for the development and management of all retail, food and beverage, advertising, land and property, in flight catering, car parking, airport hotels and business development.
Since his return to Abu Dhabi he has out sourced all retail and established a partnership with Duty Free Shoppers (DFS) part of the LVMH group of companies to develop luxury retail at ADIA.
Joined Burooj International Co. as Chief Executive Officer in 2008, and in charge of running its investment portfolio in retail real-estate (one of the largest in Saudi Arabia), Has a management consulting and banking backgrounds, and holds degrees from MIT Sloan School of Management and University of Wisconsin.