Speakers & Panellists
Please find below the list of the confirmed speakers as per date, in alphabetical order:
Mr Toby Astor
Global E-Commerce Director at Jaguar Land Rover, UK
Mr Astor partners with JLR’s functions, retailers, regions and technology experts to deliver premium multichannel business solutions for their customers. He believes that only through an integrated approach with their key strategic retail partners JLR can deliver a seamless and premium e-commerce experience for their customers as the car industry undergoes the largest transformation in its history with the advent of Autonomous Driving, Connected Cars, Electrification and the Sharing Economy. Mr Astor recently built and led a team that successfully launched a Connected Car E-Commerce platform across five geographies simultaneously in under six months from conception. Other recent achievements include the set-up and launch of the Jaguar Formula E team and JLR’s global Future Customer Experience digital transformation programme. Mr Astor is an FSA approved and IMC accredited investment banker and equity research analyst who has completed multiple accounting and securities qualifications in the UK and USA. He holds a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London and Masters of Business Administration from the London Business School.
Mr Bülent Basaran
CEO of Boyner, Turkey
Mr Basaran joined Boyner Department Store in 2016 to take over the position of General Manager. He was before the Commercial General Manager of Turkey’s largest online retailer Hepsiburada.com. Prior to this, Mr Basaran worked for the Al Shaya Group Turkey Retailing as Business Director in Fashion Brands; he then joined the leading selective cosmetic chain Tekin Acar where he was General Manager during the period 2009-2014. He was a senior executive for Desa Deri A.Ş and Unitim Holdin. His professional career started in Toys”Я”Us where he was Purchasing and Logistics Executive. Mr Basaran graduated in Industrial Engineering from the Istanbul Technical University and he received a post-graduate education at İstanbul University on Finance Management and International Marketing.
Ms Ella Berthoud
Bibliotherapist at The School of Life, UK
Ms Berthoud studied English Literature at Cambridge University, where she read as many novels as she could at once. She continued on to University of East London where she studied Fine Art, and combined her twin passions of reading and painting by listening to books while creating works of art. She has worked as an artist in residence at Pentonville Prison, Friends School Saffron Walden and Queenswood School. Ms Berthoud is the co-author with Susan Elderkin of ‘The Novel Cure: an A-Z of Literary Remedies’ sand ‘The Story Cure: How to Keep Kids Happy, Healthy and Wise’.
Mr Harlan Bratcher
Head of Global Business Development at JD Fashion/JD.com, China
Harlan Bratcher is Global Business Development Head for fashion at JD.com, China’s largest retailer, where he is responsible for introducing Western brands to China and JD’s platform. A retail veteran and entrepreneur, he was previously CEO of Reed Krakoff and was President and CEO of A|X Armani Exchange for 14 years, from 2001 to 2014, managing all aspects of the day-to-day operations of A|X. Prior to that, Harlan was Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at Calvin Klein, and held executive and management positions at companies including Sony Corporation and QVC, where he successfully launched Q2, the upscale lifestyle home shopping network.
Mr Adam Bryant
Executive Chairman of the London Block Exchange, UK
Mr Bryant has spent over 20 years in investment banking, working as the Head of Hedge Fund Sales for both Credit Suisse and UBS. With a PhD in Theoretical Physics, he applies his passion for science and technology to business - a rare combination of skills which have enabled him to manage the most technically proficient and successful teams in the international marketplace.
Mr Thierry Cheval
L'Oréal Luxe, Director Global Retail & Digital, France
Mr Cheval started his career at McKinsey & Co in 1989 and joined L’Oréal in 1993. After a first role in product development as GPM, Vichy Sun & Body, he has held various general management positions in North America, Europe and APAC. After setting up and leading Active Cosmetics Division in Canada, he joined the Luxury Division as General Manager, Lancôme Canada in 1998. He moved to the UK in 2000 as General Manager, Lancôme UK, before being appointed Deputy General Manager, Lancôme International in 2004. Mr Cheval moved to Australia in 2005 as Managing Director, L’Oréal Luxe and returned to Paris early 2008 to lead the global integration of the newly acquired YSL Beauté. He moved back to London at the end of 2008 to become Managing Director, L’Oréal Luxe UK & Ireland – a position he has held until December 2014. In January 2015, Mr Cheval joined L’Oréal Luxe global Management Committee as Director Global Retail & Digital and Zone Director Americas. Mr Cheval is a graduate of Ecole des Mines de Paris and holds a MBA from INSEAD.
Mr Tony Chi
Founder of tonychi, USA
Mr Chi is the globally-renowned hospitality guru and founder of tonychi, an award-winning studio based in New York. For over thirty years, he has been bringing visionary insights and a holistic, hands-on approach to developing ground-up, high velocity design projects that transform global business. With a wide-ranging portfolio that includes iconic names, like the Rosewood London, Intercontinental Geneva, Andaz Tokyo, Park Hyatt Shanghai, Rosewood Hong Kong and New York's Carlyle Hotel in the making, Mr Chi’s properties harness the intangible allure of both space and place, where cultures and communities converge, and dualities contrast and interact to create unforgettably unique, transcendent and emotional experiences.
Mr Neil Clifford
CEO of Kurt Geiger, UK
Mr Clifford began his career with Kurt Geiger in 1995 following a prolific career in retail. His wealth of retail experience includes working for The Burton Group, Sears and Bally prior to becoming CEO of Kurt Geiger in 2003. Mr Clifford is a true success story having worked his way up from the shop floor. He has a genuine passion for Kurt Geiger and takes a very active role in its day to day running.
Mr Raymond Cloosterman
CEO of Rituals, The Netherlands
Mr Cloosterman is an entrepreneur, brand builder and business economist who enjoyed a thirteen year career at Unilever. After exploring the latest trends in personal and domestic care products, brands and retail concepts around the world he decided to develop a new brand that would encompass products for both personal care and home care. With its unique combination of skin care, body cosmetics, precious mineral make-up, men’s and home care products Rituals Cosmetics unites advanced technology with ancient Far Eastern traditions to present an exclusive range of affordably priced products that turn everyday routines like bathing, shaving and drinking tea into meaningful moments.
Dr Stephan Fanderl
CEO of Karstadt Warenhaus, Germany
Dr Fanderl is Managing Director of SIGNA Retail since the beginning of 2015 and CEO of Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH since October 2014 after heading the Supervisory Board of Karstadt. Prior, he held the position of President Emerging Markets East at Walmart Inc. and from 2001 to 2007 he was Member of the Executive Board at the REWE Group as well as of the Metro AG from 1997 to 2011. After his course of studies, he began his career in the area of finance at Kienbaum Management Consultants in Düsseldorf from 1991 to 1996.
Mr Paul Fletcher
Head of Marketing at Coutts and Adam & Company, UK
Mr Fletcher is Head of Marketing for two private banks and is also a member of the Executive Committee. He was previously Partner and Board Director of wealth and asset manager, London & Capital where he had responsibility for marketing, products and services. During his tenure, he helped turn around an unprofitable business to become one of the fastest growing companies in its sector and moved large parts of the client experience online. In recognition of this, he has twice been recognised by PAM as a 'Top 40 under 40' and three times by CityWealth in their Leaders List. Prior to wealth management, Paul spent four years in private equity, initially in a marketing and communications role for Duke Street, advising both the firm and its investee businesses, and subsequently moved into global fundraising and investor relations. He has also spent time in East Africa advising an impact investment fund, Pearl Capital Partners, which was financed as a joint venture between the Rockefeller, Gates and Gatsby Foundations. Mr Fletcher has previously held senior marketing and communications roles for UBS Investment Bank, where he was Head of Fixed Income Marketing, and Deutsche Bank, where he was Global Head of Marketing for their equities business.
Ms Kelly Hoppen, MBE
Interior Designer & Founder of Kelly Hoppen Interiors, UK
Ms Hoppen is one of the most celebrated interior designers in the world. She has put her stamp on the homes, yachts and jets of private clients all over the world and now focuses on commercial projects including hotels, bars, restaurants, offices, and tower blocks. She released her tenth book, House of Hoppen - a 40 year retrospective, in October 2016 and a collection of over 100 pieces of furniture with Resource Décor which is available in numerous retailers worldwide. In 2014, she launched the e-commerce store kellyhoppen.com, featuring a range of self-designed home products including accessories, bed linen, cushions, candles, furniture, towels, robes and lights. She also has a range of jewellery and home products on QVC. Ms Hoppen is the recipient of copious design awards and she was made an MBE for her services to interior design. Ms Hoppen has also just been honoured with WIE (Women: Inspiration & Enterprise) Inspirational Award. She is an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and sits on their committee. She is also a proud ambassador for the Government’s GREAT campaign, avid campaigner for anti-bullying, supporter of the Diana Award and a connector for BAFTA. She is also an ambassador for Cool Earth.
Ms Sali Hughes
Journalist, Beauty Editor on The Guardian, UK
Ms Hughes is a journalist, presenter and broadcaster, specialising in beauty, women’s issues and film. A former magazine editor, she has written extensively for Grazia, The Observer, Vogue, Elle, Stylist, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Shortlist, Woman & Home, Look, Good Housekeeping, Net-a-Porter and Mr Porter. She is Contributing Editor on Red magazine, The Pool and Empire magazine (both of which have seen her twice-nominated for Columnist of The Year). She is also Beauty Editor on The Guardian. Ms Hughes is appearing frequently on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, Late Night Woman’s Hour, You & Yours, and The Today Programme. Her own popular YouTube series of “In The Bathroom With…” interviews has won three major beauty industry awards. Since 2015, she has also presented her own show on Soho Radio. Ms Hughes has written two bestselling books, Pretty Honest: The Straight-Talking Beauty Companion, and Pretty Iconic: A Personal Look at The Beauty Products That Changed The World. Her third is due for publication in 2019. She has a large social media presence, Tweeting and Instagraming from @salihughes.
Ms Deborah Joseph
Editor-in-Chief & Chief Content Officer of Glamour, UK
Ms Joseph is Editor-in-Chief/CCO of Glamour and has overseen its new beauty-first direction across print, digital and social content. She has been a journalist and editor for 20 years and was part of the original launch team of GLAMOUR. She went on to edit Easy Living, Conde Nast Brides and the women’s section of the Daily Mail. Ms Joseph has spent the last five years consulting for various fashion, celebrity and travel apps, websites and brands on their digital and social content before returning to GLAMOUR seven months ago to oversee its new digital-first direction.
Ms Marcia Kilgore
Founder and CEO of Beauty Pie, UK
Ms Kilgore opened the Bliss® Spa in SoHo in New York City in the mid ‘90s, and sold three years later the majority stake to LVMH. Time Magazine chose Kilgore (then 29) as their cover star, pegging her as one of the new generation of young entrepreneurs. In 2011 she moved to London, started a family and begun watering two new business idea buds – Soap & Glory®, and FitFlop®. Ms Kilgore sold her second major beauty brand Soap & Glory® with annual sales topping £100m to Alliance Boots/Walgreens. FitFlop®, an ergonomic footwear brand is now distributed in 64 markets globally. Ms Kilgore’s new venture, is named Foam and Substance®, which launched in December 2016 Beauty Pie® with ambitions to change the way that women shop for cosmetics. Beauty Pie® offers members a ‘virtual backstage pass’ to the skincare and makeup suppliers of the world’s leading beauty brands, selling luxury cosmetics at their totally transparent Factory Cost.
Mr Thomas Kochs
Managing Director of Corinthia Hotel London, UK
Mr Kochs was appointed Managing Director at Corinthia Hotel London in May 2017 where he is responsible for managing the group’s flagship property which opened its doors on Whitehall Place in 2011. He joined Corinthia Hotel London from the Hotel Café Royal, where he was Managing Director for just over a year. Prior to this, Mr Kochs was the well-known face of Claridge’s, where he was Managing Director from 2010 to 2015. He originally joined the Maybourne Hotel Group in 2005 and rapidly rose through the ranks, proving himself as an inspirational leader, operating in key roles such as Hotel Manager, Food & Beverage Director and Head of Events & Groups across the portfolio of The Berkeley, The Connaught and then Claridge’s.
Mr Yosuke Maezawa
President of E'quipe/Suqqu, Japan
Since joining Kanebo Cosmetics in 1986, Yosuke Maezawa has spent over 2 decades managing projects and businesses across Japan and Europe. His experience spans brand development, marketing and sales of premium Fragrance, Skincare, and Makeup for both existing and new brands, marketing Japanese brands in Europe and vice versa. After a year in France in the 90’s, by 2000, he was involved in development of a new brand for the European market, spending alternate months in Europe and Japan for 2 years. He continued to be involved in European business in the group and subsequently lead Kanebo Cosmetics Europe as Managing Director until 2017. He now is President of E’quipe Ltd, a part of Kanebo Group and oversees the business of 2 brands globally, one of which is SUQQU, currently the fastest growing premium beauty brand. in Japan and the other is RMK, Japan’s single biggest makeup artist brand.
Lady Mendelsohn, CBE
Vice-President for EMEA at Facebook, UK
Lady Mendelsohn has her current position held since 2013. In addition, she is the co-chair of the Creative Industries Council alongside Secretaries of State for DCMS and BEIS – a joint forum between the UK creative industries and government. In September 2014, she became a non-executive director of Diageo. She is also a Director of the Women’s Prize for Fiction and serves on The Mayor of London’s Business Advisory Board. Lady Mendelsohn and her husband are co-presidents of the charity Norwood. In 2015 she was awarded a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the creative industries in the UK. Prior to joining Facebook, she worked in advertising for over 20 years, beginning her career at Bartle Bogle Hegarty then moving to be deputy Chairman of Grey London. In 2008, she became partner and executive chairman at the advertising agency, Karmarama. Prior roles include, first female President of the IPA (the advertising industry trade body) Trustee of The White Ribbon Alliance, Chairman of Women’s Aid Development Board and former President of the Women in Advertising and Communications London Club (WACL).
Mr Hans-Christian Meyer
CEO of Tiger of Sweden, Sweden
Throughout his 25-year career Mr Meyer has held senior positions at some of the leading fashion and apparel brands, most recently 12 years at Ralph Lauren, where he held the position of President Retail, EMEA being also part of their Global Senior Management team. Prior to his position at Ralph Lauren, he was Senior Vice President & Managing Director for Scandinavia & Baltics, working across multiple distribution channels inclusive of wholesale and directly-operated retail.
Sir Terry Morgan, CBE
Chairman of Crossrail, UK
Sir Terry took over the role of Chairman of Crossrail on 1 June 2009. Prior to this, he was Chief Executive of Tube Lines, a PPP company that was contracted to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure of the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines. His employment record also includes: Group Managing Director, Operations, BAE Systems; Group HR Director, BAE Systems; Managing Director (Royal Ordnance); Managing Director (Land Rover), Rover Group; Operations Director, Rover Group. Mr Morgan is the past President of the CMI (Chartered Management Institute) and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Electrical Engineers. He has an MSc in Engineering Production & Management. Sir Terry is Chairman of Ricardo plc and in February 2017 was appointed Chairman of London City Airport and more recently has taken on the role of Chair of Crossrail International. He is a Member of the University of Birmingham Council, a Heart of the City Council Member and a Member of the HS2 Growth Delivery Board. He is also a Trustee of the Crossrail Art Foundation.
Mr Gustaf Öhrn
CEO of Åhléns, Sweden
Mr Öhrn has been the CEO of Åhléns since June 2016. Prior to joining the company, he was the CEO of Stadium, the largest sport retailer in Sweden. Mr Öhrn is a recognized retail leader who has been having the great opportunity of working with strong brands during his career. He started his career at H & M, he was also the Managing Director of J.Lindeberg AB. He is a board member of the clothing companies Acne Studios, and Eton.
Ms Anne Pitcher
Managing Director of Selfridges & Co, UK
Ms Pitcher has been Managing Director of Selfridges since 2011, having joined as Buying and Merchandising Director in 2004. During her time with the business, Selfridges has been voted Best Department Store in the World by the Intercontinental Group of Department Stores on three consecutive occasions. Ms Pitcher has overseen a period of unprecedented commercial performance and growth at the luxury retailer, with sales reaching £1.6 billion ending January 2017. Under her stewardship Selfridges has continued to raise the bar with market leading fashion and by setting industry standards in leading customer experiences. With a £300 million investment programme in its Oxford Street store, scheduled to be complete by the end of 2018, significant investment in digital capabilities, comprising of the launch of a Selfridges app and the expansion of Selfridges.com.
Lord Rose
Chairman of Ocado Group, UK
Lord Rose has worked all his life in retail having joined Marks & Spencer in 1971. After leaving Marks & Spencer in 1989 he successively managed the multiple retail chains at The Burton Group, Argos, Booker, Arcadia and subsequently returned to Marks & Spencer in 2004 as Chief Executive, becoming Chairman in 2008. He left M&S in 2011. He is Chairman of Ocado, Fat Face and Zenith, and is a Non-Executive Director of Woolworths (South Africa). Lord Rose was knighted in 2008 and made a life peer in September 2014.
Mr Govind Shrikhande
Managing Director of Shoppers Stop, India
As the Managing Director of Shoppers Stop Ltd., Mr Shrikhande spearheads all the formats of Shoppers Stop Ltd viz.: Shoppers Stop (Department Store Format), HOME STOP (Home Format), CROSSWORD (Books, Music & Toys Format), MAC, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Bobby Brown & Smash Box (Beauty Speciality & Standalone Stores). He has been with the company for more than seventeen years; he joined in 2001 as Vice President of Buying and Merchandise and rose through various positions to become Managing Director in 2009. Since joining Shoppers Stop, Mr Shrikhande has played a key role in the company’s tremendous growth from 7 stores in 2001 to 83 stores at present. He was also instrumental in the re-branding initiative of the brand. Under his leadership the company’s turnover has gone up from USD 45.1 million in 2001 to USD 627.2 million in 2017, with the launch of multiple formats. Mr Shrikhande studied Textile Technology at VJTI, Mumbai, and completed an MBA at SIBM, Pune.
Mr Michele Scannavini
President of ICE Italian Trade Agency, Italy
Since 2016 Mr Scannavini has been the President of ICE Agenzia – ITA Italian Trade Agency, the government body responsible for promoting Made in Italy and attracting foreign investments to Italy. In the course of his career, he has managed business and organizations in various industrial sectors with increasing responsibilities, particularly in the luxury sector. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Tod's group since 2015. From 2002 to 2014 he worked for Coty, a leader in the perfume and cosmetic industry, based in Paris and New York. Mr Scannavini served as President of Coty Prestige, the luxury division of the group; in 2012 he was appointed CEO of Coty Group; in 2013 he guided Coty to its listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). His prior assignments included CEO of FILA and Director of Marketing and Sales at Procter & Gamble, Galbani and Ferrari. Mr Scannavini graduated in Economics from the Bocconi University in 1984.
Ms Louise Singlehurst
Managing Director European Luxury Goods of Goldman Sachs, UK
Ms Singlehurst is a Managing Director on the European Equity Research team covering Luxury Goods. She joined Goldman Sachs as a Managing Director in 2017. Before joining the firm, Ms Singlehurst was at Morgan Stanley for 16 years, covering the Luxury Goods and Brands sector since 2006. She began her career at Morgan Stanley covering companies in the media sector and became a managing director in 2014. Ms Singlehurst earned a BSc in Economics from the University of Nottingham.
Ms Tammy Smulders
President Fashion & Luxury Group of Vice Fashion & Luxury Group, UK
Ms Smulders is responsible for a global team, overseeing Vice’s global media properties in the sector including millennial-focused fashion and lifestyle title i-D Magazine, fashion and art publication Garage Magazine, and luxury travel channel Amuse. Prior to joining Vice, Tammy served as Global Managing Director of Havas LuxHub, and before that, she was Founder of SCB Partners, the trend-based marketing insights consultancy, acquired by Havas in 2013. Ms Smulders was named to Luxury Daily’s 25 Luxury Women to Watch 2016 and was awarded “Intrapreneur of the Year” by Women In Marketing. She earned a BA degree in economics from Columbia University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Mr Bienvenido Tantoco III
President of Rustan Commercial Corporation, The Philippines
Mr Tantoco is the President of Rustan Commercial Corporation which operates seven upscale department stores. He is also the President of Royal Duty Free Shops. From 1998 to 2014, Mr Tantoco was the President and CEO of Rustan’s Supercenter where he was instrumental in restoring profitability and negotiating a joint venture with Dairy Farm. Prior to Rustan, he held brand management assignments at General Mills and Pepsi. Mr Tantoco is a graduate of Connecticut College and holds a Masters of Management degree, Major in Marketing and Accounting, from J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University. He was also the sole recipient of the Pepsi Minority MBA scholarship award in 1992. Mr Tantoco held the position of Chairman of the Philippine Retailers’ Association from 2005 to 2007, he is a Member of the Board of IGDS where held also the positions of President (2009 – 2011) and Vice President for Asia (2006-2009).
Ms Inge Theron
Founder of Face Gym, UK
Ms Theron is the founder of FaceGym and the voice behind the Financial Times’ column ‘Chronicles of a Spa Junkie’. During her four years undercover as the Spa Junkie she travelled the world trying different treatments to document for her readers. When a face lifting procedure left her house bound she decided it was time to act. She channelled her research into the solution: a non-invasive face lift which goes beneath the skin to the muscles which are the scaffolding of the face. FaceGym works the 40+ muscles in the face just as we work our bodies in the gym with a warm up, cardio, sculpting and cool down. Inge is launching her studios in New York and expanding across the UK.
Ms Alannah Weston
Deputy Chairman of Selfridges Group, UK
Ms Weston was appointed Deputy Chairman of Selfridges Group in 2014. Prior to her current position, she was Creative Director of Selfridges where she defined the creative vision for the brand, she led the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives and spearheaded Project Ocean, which raised awareness of the issue of overfishing. Ms Weston is a Director of George Weston Limited and is Chair of the Selfridges Group Foundation. She is also on the boards of the Reta Lila Weston Trust for Medical Research and The Garfield Weston Foundation in Canada. She went on to read English at Merton College Oxford, graduating with a MA Hons in 1994.
Mr Steve Woodward
President & Chief Merchant of Crate & Barrel, USA
Mr Woodward is leading the growth and development of the company’s multi-channel presentation of home furnishings through its stores and direct-to-consumer channels. Before joining Crate & Barrel, he served as Senior Vice President of Fossil Inc. where he led the company’s portfolio of licensed brands, including the rollout of Michael Kors watch and jewellery on a global scale. Prior to Fossil, he was the Executive Vice President and General Merchandise Manager for the Bombay Company. He also served as CEO and on the board of directors for Illuminations. Mr Woodward has a passion for home design / architecture and recently completed his 18th custom designed home. He also has a passion for people and for the past 20 years has served as a member of the University of North Texas’ College of Merchandising Board of Governors.
Organized by Intercontinental Group of Department Stores in collaboration with
