About Your Speakers
Leaders in Luxury Middle East
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.
Marc Lelandais started his career in the Perfumes department of Pierre Cardin. After spending 3 years in a supply chain management of perfumes and cosmetics, and a short stay in the Swiss watchmaker, Raymond Weill, Marc Lelandais became International Marketing Director at CWF’s (Burberry, DKNY, Kenzo), specialized company in children’s ready-to-wear: “at the time, a totally innovative concept – fashion for children by designers, aworld market to conquer – and an incredibly enriching professional adventure” declared this luxury brand specialist.
In 2001, Marc Lelandais is appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Accessories and Licenses Division in Escada. His stay is marked by the launching success of the jewellery, Escada Junior, and leather goods development. The reasons for these successes: “audacity, hard work and attention to details”. Marc Lelandais has been appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lancel from March 1st, 2006.
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.
Didier has worked for over 15 years in the cosmetic industry in various parts of the world. He currently heads the Estee Lauder Group of Companies in the Middle East and India and manages luxury brands such as: Estee Lauder, Clinique, MAC, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Tom Ford. He steers the Group's vision to achieve the objectives of the different business units and to coordinate the activities of the support functions (HR, Finance, Logistic operations).
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.
Hamad leads LG Electronics’ marketing and corporate communications in Middle East & Africa Operations. Hamad currently spearheads LG’s marketing and corporate communications department and leads a Marcom network that spans 78 countries in Middle East & Africa region. He has broad based background in marketing and communications in highly competitive markets, in industrial goods, consumer durables, communication and IT industries. Hamad Malik has been involved with the launch of LG brand in the region and is the architect of this strong brand.
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.
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.