Our Speakers

TASKFORCE TEAM

Julie Clody Medina

President Asia Pacific

Van Cleef & Arpels

David Smaniotto

Managing Director

Hong Kong & Macau

Hermès

Johan Ye

Vice President Merchandising, Watches & Jewelry

DFS Group

Ariel Gentzbourger

Regional Managing Director

ASPAC

Christian Dior Parfums

GUEST OF HONOUR

Miss Rosanna Law

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism

Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau

Miss Rosanna Law was appointed the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism on 5 December 2024.

Miss Law joined the Government in July 1989. She served in the Labour Officer and Trade Officer Grades before joining the Administrative Service in July 1990, rising to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2022. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Civil Service Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Constitutional Affairs Branch, the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office, the former Trade Department and the former Environment, Transport and Works Bureau.

She was Deputy Commissioner for Tourism from August 2010 to September 2016, Deputy Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs from September 2016 to September 2020, Commissioner for Transport from September 2020 to August 2023 and Permanent Secretary for Housing/Director of Housing from August 2023 to December 2024.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Divia Harilela

Founder and Principal

The D'Vine Ltd

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Divia Harilela has worked in the lifestyle and fashion media for over 23 years. Most recently she served as the fashion editor for Hong Kong's leading English language newspaper, The South China Morning Post, where she remains a contributing editor. A leading authority on fashion in Asia, she writes for a range of high-profile publications and has been quoted in The Times of London and The International Herald Tribune, and has appeared on CNN International.

In 2011 Divia founded her own consultancy, The D’Vine Ltd, offering services such as content creation and strategy for clients ranging from global luxury hospitality groups, international luxury brands and designers, to educational and governmental organisations. She is also a sought-after moderator and public speaker.

SPEAKERS

Philippe Adler

Senior Relationship Manager

Lombard Odier

Philippe Adler is Senior Vice President, Private Clients Asia, at Lombard Odier. As a senior relationship manager based in Hong Kong, he provides comprehensive advice and holistic wealth management services to both local and international clients based in the market.

Philippe has over 30 years of experience in the banking and finance industry, and has worked across various cities including Geneva, London and Hong Kong.

Before joining Lombard Odier, Philippe was an Executive Director in UBS in Hong Kong. Previously, he was a senior client advisor with UBS AG Private Banking, London.

Philippe holds a Master degree in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Geneva.

Francis Belin

President

Christie's Asia Pacific

Francis manages all Asia-Pacific based teams including the regional offices, and is accountable for all transactions of Asian collectors globally, across live, online, and private sales. Additionally, he oversees the Luxury divisions globally, as well as Asian and World Art. In 2024, Francis spearheaded Christie's entry into the classic automobiles market with its acquisition of Gooding & Company, and was instrumental in reestablishing Christie's wine live auctions in New York.

Joining Christie’s in 2016 as Global Managing Director, Asian Art, Francis was previously with Swarovski, where he oversaw their business in Asia Pacific. With over 20 years of experience in premium and luxury consumer goods, Francis began his career in Management Consulting at McKinsey & Co. in Europe and Asia.

He has served as a member of the Board of Advisors for Kids Earth Fund in Japan, Fondation de France Asia, and on various boards as non-executive Chairman and Independent non-executive director.

He holds a degree in Management from the ESSEC Business School in France and a Diplom Kaufmann from the University of Mannheim in Germany, majoring in Business Administration and Psychology.

Alexis Bonhomme

Founder and CEO

Trinity Asia

Alexis Bonhomme is a global executive and entrepreneur in the field of luxury, strategy and technology, based in Shanghai. After working at Tencent, Alexis co-founded in 2013 CuriosityChina. Following the strategic acquisition of Curiosity by Farfetch in 2018, he became the Vice President of Farfetch in Greater China & Asia Pacific and then Global Vice President of Industry Partnerships.

Going back to an entrepreneurial journey, Alexis founded in 2024 Trinity Asia where is acting as Founder and CEO. Trinity Asia is empowering brands to engage with the Asian luxury consumers of today and tomorrow. With extensive experience in Tech Platforms, Brands and Digital Agencies, Trinity teams are operating across Greater China, Japan, Korea, helping luxury brands to thrive in Asia’s dynamic markets with innovative solutions. Trinity clients goes from Fashion (Stone Island), Accessories (Christian Louboutin), Watches & Jewelry (Audemars Piguet), Retail (Value Retail and Harrods) or Hospitality (Capella Hotels).

Alexis holds a Master in Private Law from the Paris Law School University and an Executive MBA from INSEAD and Tsinghua University. He is also a YPO member and a guest Lecturer at the IFM (Institut Francais de la Mode) in Paris.

Yann Bozec

President

Tapestry Asia Pacific

President & CEO

Coach Asia Pacific

Yann Bozec was appointed to his current position as President and CEO of COACH Asia Pacific in March 2024. Based in Shanghai, Mr. Bozec will support the long-term success of COACH and enhance COACH brand’s leadership capacity and strategic focus in the APAC Region.

As the member of Tapestry’s Executive Committee, Mr. Bozec was promoted to be the President of Tapestry Asia Pacific in February 2020, responsible for the strategy formulation of brands under Tapestry (COACH, kate spade new york, Stuart Weitzman) and drives the overall growth of business in Asia Pacific. Earlier, as the President of Tapestry China, he has overseen the integration of both kate spade new york’s and Stuart Weitzman’s China operations onto the Tapestry platform.

Prior to his current role and beginning in August 2014, Mr. Bozec held the role of President and CEO of COACH China. With the responsibility for the strategic leadership and operating results of COACH in China, Mr. Bozec focuses on executing brand transformation and developing COACH’s new Modern Luxury retail concept in China in alignment with the global strategic blueprint. Starting from July 2013, Mr. Bozec held the role of Senior Vice President and General Manager of COACH Asia, based in Hong Kong (China) with oversight for the directly-operated businesses in the region, including Hong Kong (China), Macau (China), Taiwan (China), Singapore and Malaysia. From 2010 to 2013, he was the Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of COACH Asia based in Shanghai. Mr. Bozec joined COACH in 2008 as Vice President of Operation for COACH Japan based in Tokyo, and was promoted to Senior Vice President of Operation for COACH Japan and COACH China in 2009 and has been instrumental in the brand’s development and growth in the region, notably its success in China.

Mr. Bozec originally joined COACH from L’Oreal, where he held the position of Asia Head of Operation and Administration for Asia region based in Shanghai. During his 15 years with L’Oreal, he had worked in France, China, Russia and Singapore.

Mr. Bozec holds an Engineering Degree from École Centrale de Nantes and a Diplôme D’études Approfondies (DEA) in Management and Business Administration from University of Nantes, France

Catherine Cheung

Associate Dean and Associate Professor

School of Hotel & Tourism Management

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Prof. Catherine Cheung is Associate Dean and Associate Professor at School of Hotel and Tourism Management of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and a specialist in the study of Hotel Management.

Catherine oversees academic affairs within the school. She is the program leader for the tripartite program MSc in Global Hospitality Business. Instructor for Luxury Management course on MOOCs and MSc in Luxury Experience Management. Instructor for a course on Hospitality Business Strategies in Asia for the MSc in Global Hospitality Business.

Her research interests are in the areas of Luxury Hospitality Management, Hospitality Human Resources Management, Cultural intelligence and Emotional intelligence, Organizational Behavior, Hospitality Branding and Service Quality. She has authored and co-authored over 100 research papers and supervised over 12 Doctoral students to completion.

She has been involved in consultancy projects for hotels, airlines, private clubs, retail and hospital in the areas of service quality and human resources management in Asia. She has numerous years of working experience in hotels as well as opening new hotels in Hong Kong, Australia and Taipei.

Peter Cheung

CEO

Peter Cheung Asia Ltd

Peter Cheung has nearly 30 years of leadership in the luxury sector, specializing in marketing and communications for prestigious brands in arts, fashion, jewelry, and media. He began as a Social Editor at Hong Kong Tatler in 1997 and later served as Deputy Director of Public Relations at Sotheby’s during the art boom in Asia. Peter held key marketing roles at Dior and Versace, driving brand visibility in the region.

In 2010, he joined Van Cleef & Arpels, developing strategies for growth in Asia. He founded his consultancy in 2015, with Van Cleef & Arpels as his first client. Peter also became a Development Consultant for L’ÉCOLE in 2016, contributing to the establishment of its Hong Kong campus.

Beyond work, he actively supports various arts and charitable organizations, serving on the Executive Committee of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and other committees. Since 2023, he advises the Hong Kong Museum of Art on communication strategies.

Kathy Gallagher

CEO, Asia Pacific

Quintessentially

Kathy is the CEO of Asia Pacific for Quintessentially, an established and award-winning global lifestyle management company and brand experience agency.
Founded over 25 years ago and with 40 offices worldwide, Quintessentially is the leading authority on personalised customer and brand experiences for High-Net-Worth individuals, brands and businesses around the world.

Based out of Hong Kong, Kathy leads the regional business and is responsible for driving growth for the company. During her 8 years as the regional CEO, Kathy led Quintessentially through the difficult market conditions during COVID to transform the business to become a more modern business enterprise, serving Elite customers from all around the globe. She is part of Quintessentially’s Global Executive Committee and provides input and direction on the region’s fastest growing trends.

Prior to Quintessentially, Kathy has over 20 years’ experience in professional experience, having worked for one of the world’s largest Management Consultancy firms, Deloitte. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and cognitive science from UCLA and has lived and worked in multiple locations, including the US, the UK and HK.

Ariel Gentzbourger

Regional Managing Director ASPAC

Christian Dior Parfums

Since November 2021, I have been Managing Parfums Christian Dior in APAC covering 10 countries/affiliates excluding China. I have served as Executive Vice President Merchandising of DFS Group ltd from 2014 to 2021 overseeing 5 categories: Fashion, Watches/ Jewelry, Beauty, Liquor and F&G bringing new concepts and innovation to the network in versatile business conditions.

I had a long tenure with the Shiseido Beauty group from 1998 to 2014 where I was the head of WWD travel retail and European distributors. I hold an MBA from Columbia Business School in New York and am passionate about my family and love outdoor sports. I have been living in Hong Kong for the past 11 years a special place where I grew up as a child.

Matthew Lazarus-Hall

Executive Vice President – Content & Entertainment, Australia and Asia

ASM Global

Chief Commercial Director

Kai Tak Sports Park

Matthew Lazarus-Hall is a dynamic entertainment executive with over 30 years in live entertainment.

He, currently has two roles , Executive Vice President – Content & Entertainment, Australia and Asia for ASM Global and Chief Commercial Director for Kai Tak Sports Park.The ASM role sees him driving content and assisting promoters in delivering more shows and tours into the ASM network for Asia Pacific. His role at Kai Tak involves overseeing all event procurement, ticketing, Corporate Programs and Hospitality and financial systems and strategy.

Previooulsy Matthew was the Senior Vice President Asia for global entertainment company AEG overseeing all concerts, Festivals and sporting events across the Asia Pacific region.

He was the CEO of Chugg Entertainment for 14 years, one of Australia’s preeminent entertainment touring companies. Under Matthew’s leadership, Chugg was the sixth biggest promoter in the world in 2010. A well-respected individual, Matthew has promoted hundreds of concerts and Festivals and sold as a promoter multiple millions of tickets. Matthew has helped develop two of Australia’s biggest festivals from the ground up, now both more than 15 years old.

Matthew also founded his own consulting business Square Circles Creative Solutions, an Australian-based company focused on providing quality advice in event strategy across touring, festivals, exhibitions and sport.

Before Chugg, Matthew held highly successful leadership roles at Ticketek, Australia’s largest ticketing agency, where he was the Operations Director, overseeing major marquee events such as the Sydney Olympic Games, Rugby World Cup, and many other events and theatrical concerts.

Emmanuel Hemmerlé

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

Emmanuel Hemmerlé has been living and working in China since 2000. In 2014, he co-founded EH, and over the past decade has focused on building the firm into a leading retained leadership consulting firm in Asia, specializing in senior executive roles in China, Korea, Japan, and regional Asia scope.

Over his career, Emmanuel has led more than 500 executive searches and conducted nearly 5,000 interviews with top executives.

Before founding EH, Emmanuel was a Senior Partner and Head of the Consumer Market Practice at Korn Ferry in China. Prior to that, he was a Partner at Heidrick & Struggles, specializing in the Consumer and Industrial Practices.

Earlier in his career, Emmanuel held leadership positions in the corporate sector, most notably with the Zuellig Group in China and Michelin, where he worked in Europe and South America, progressing from sales to marketing and eventually into general management.

Emmanuel holds a master’s in economics and finance from Sciences-Po Paris (1991), an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University (2000), and a diploma in Chinese language and civilization from Peking University (2002). He is fluent in Mandarin, English, and French, in addition to his native Spanish.

A French national, Emmanuel enjoys hiking, swimming, and French cuisine. He is a dedicated student of Chinese and European history and an avid reader of 19th-century French literature. He lives in China with his wife, Zhao Hui, and their two teenagers, Elías and Esther.

Dr. Jinju Heo

Professor and Research fellow

Glion Institute of Higher Education, Switzerland

Dr. Jinju Heo is a globally recognized expert in luxury brand management, innovation, and sustainability. She serves as a professor and research fellow at Glion Institute of Higher Education, Switzerland, and a professor at Solbridge International School of Business, South Korea, and the International University of Monaco. She is also a Senior Research Fellow at Ecole des Ponts ParisTech's Circular Economy Research Center, her doctoral alma mater.

Dr. Heo possesses extensive practical experience collaborating with prominent luxury companies and high-profile clients in Europe, Middle east and China, including her notable role as an Innovation Advisor at CHANEL for several years. Her research includes publications on luxury innovation, circular business models, and luxury brands' engagement with the technology.

She combines academic rigor with practical expertise, driving sustainable innovation in luxury branding and consumer behavior, making her a distinguished leader in her field.

Sébastian Hue

High Value Members Engagement, Head

Cathay

Sébastien Hue joined Cathay in 2023 to look after the Cathay Membership Programme with a significant focus on its High Value Members. In his current role Sébastien leads a team dedicated to providing Cathay Diamond members with a more elevated approach to their membership through engagement, events, and personalized experiences.

A customer experience expert, Sébastien has been developing elite clienteling teams and projects for over a decade. Prior to joining Cathay Pacific, Sébastien was working at Swire Hotels then at New World Development where he was creating and delivering unique experiences for their guests.

A French national, Sébastien has been based in the region since 2013 and holds a Master in International Business and Supply Chain Management from Ecole Supérieure du Commerce Exterieur (ESCE-Paris).

Pau Infante

General Manager,

Hong Kong & Macau

Chopard

Mr. Infante joined Chopard in November 2007 as Sales Manager for the Caribbean market. During that time he developed the wholesale business in the region, including several Franchised Boutiques. In July 2012, he moved to London to take on the role of Wholesale Manager for the United Kingdom. Following these successful missions, in May 2016, Mr. Infante joined Chopard’s Geneva Headquarters as L.U.C International Sales Manager to develop the Haute Horlogerie collections worldwide. In October 2021 he relocated to Singapore to manage the wholesale business in Southeast Asia as Wholesale Director. Finally, in March 2023 he moved to Hong Kong to look after the regional subsidiary as General Manager.

Bruno Lannes

Senior Partner,

Greater China

Bain & Company

Bruno Lannes is a senior partner in the Shanghai office, where he is based since 2006. Prior to joining the Shanghai office, Mr. Lannes worked in the London and Paris offices. In over 30 years of strategy consulting experience, he has led major consulting assignments in the consumer goods and retailing sectors, as well as in Private Equity.

Today, Mr. Lannes is a senior member of the Consumer Goods and Retail practice for Greater China, focusing on the Retail, Consumer goods and luxury sectors in China.

Mr. Lannes published multiple articles on China consumer products, luxury and retail sectors in Chinese and English business magazines. He is the main author of the China Shopper Reports, published twice a year since 2012, which describe China FMCG trends, as well as the China luxury report, published once a year since 2008.

Mr. Lannes is a recipient of Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award which is the highest honor bestowed by the city on expatriates who have significantly contributed to Shanghai's economic performance, international relations, business environment, management standards and social development.

Mr. Lannes earned an MBA with Distinction from the Wharton School, and
is a graduate of Ecole Sup•rieure de Commerce de Paris (France).

Marc Leplingard

Managing Director,

Hong Kong and Macau

Van Cleef & Arpels

Marc has 20+ years retail experience through all channels of distribution and joined the Richemont group in 2013 as Lancel Champs Elysees Flagship Store Director.

He was promoted to Managing Director – Mainland China and Hong Kong in 2015 and then moved to Hong Kong as Retail Director for Dunhill in 2017.

In 2020, he joined the Maison as Commercial Director in Middle East.

Marc joined last September 2024 Van Cleef & Arpels as Managing Director for Hong Kong and Macau.

Alain Li

President

French Chamber in Hong Kong

Alain served as Regional Chief Executive of Richemont Asia Pacific from 2006 to 2023, during which he oversaw the development of luxury brands in the region. With 17 years of experience, he has expertise in business development and international finance, gained through various positions at multinational corporations across Europe, Africa, and the Far East.

He began his career as a Trainee Accountant in London before joining Zimmer International Ltd, where he progressed from Financial Analyst to Director of Business Planning for Europe. In 2001, he returned to Hong Kong as Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of IDT International Limited, responsible for the lifestyle electronics brand, Oregon Scientific.

Alain holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Accountancy from City University of London and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, as well as a Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

Currently, he serves as President of The French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong, Director of Las Vegas Sands Corp., Independent Board Member of Rémy Cointreau SA, Non-Executive Director of Dynasty Fine Wines Group Ltd, Senior Advisor of SIA Partners, and Asia Advisory Board Member of Phillips.

His familiarity with the Asia Pacific region, enhanced by his education in Switzerland and the UK, along with professional experiences in London, Japan, and Paris, has strengthened his position in the luxury brand sector.

Xavier Mahé

Executive Director

French May Arts Festival

Xavier Mahe serves as the Executive Director of the French May Arts Festival and is the co-founder of Boogie Woogie Photography. Having studied Anthropology at the University of Aix-en-Provence in France, as well as further studies at ESRA International Film School, he is dedicated to the promotion of arts, culture, and the Creative Industries.

Having held numerous strategic and managerial positions within both national and local governmental entities in France, his leadership reflects a profound understanding of the dynamics within the cultural sector and a dedication to fostering creativity and collaboration.

Julie Clody Medina

President Asia Pacific

Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels is pleased to announce the appointment of Julie Clody Medina as President of Van Cleef & Arpels, Asia Pacific, effective May 1st, 2024. Passionate about discovering different cultures, Julie has acquired almost 20 years of experience in the luxury industry from Paris to Australia, and from the Middle East to South-East Asia. Her most recent position as Managing Director of Van Cleef & Arpels, Hong Kong and Macau over the last two years, has further enriched her knowledge and acumen in business development. She thus became an ideal figurehead for the Maison’s continued growth in the Asia Pacific region. Julie Clody Medina President of Van Cleef & Arpels, Asia Pacific Julie started her career in the luxury field in 2004 by working for more than a decade at Christian Dior Couture, focusing on product management, marketing, and merchandising. After one year as Vice President of Merchandising at Gucci Group in Hong Kong and Macau, she joined Van Cleef & Arpels in 2015 in Singapore as South-East Asia and Australia Retail Director. In 2019, Julie relocated to Hong Kong, where she played a pivotal role overseeing and developing the retail strategy as Retail Director of Greater China, Korea, South-East Asia, and Australia, resulting into the region’s rapid growth.

Hugo Montanari

Managing Director

Rosewood Hong Kong & K11 Artus

Hugo Montanari was appointed as Managing Director of Rosewood Hong Kong in December 2022, the flagship hotel of Rosewood Hotel Group, with 54 hotels in 24 countries and 30 new properties currently under development globally. Hugo is responsible for the ultra-luxury property Rosewood Hong Kong with expanded responsibility of managing the operations of K11 Artus (residential serviced apartments). A seasoned hotelier, Hugo has more than 19 years of global luxury hotel experience, including seven years with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts in Dubai and at The Plaza Hotel in New York, and eight years within The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in various locations such as Bangalore, Sanya, Tianjin and Morocco where he was Multi-property General Manager prior to joining Jayasom Ibiza, a health & wellness resort. Under Hugo’s leadership, Rosewood Hong Kong has obtained a number of prestigious accolades including No. 3 Best Hotel of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024; Forbes Five Starts, Rosewood Hong Kong and Asaya of Forbes Travel Guide 2025; and One-MICHELIN Star for CHAAT and The Legacy House of MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2025, to name a few. An Italian and French national, Montanari is a graduate of the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, a passionate athlete and fundraiser to support local community services.

ShaoWei Ong

Chief People & Culture Officer

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

ShaoWei has almost 3 decades of leadership experience across a diverse range of industries, including hospitality, banking, fintech, music, and engineering, bringing a wealth of expertise in HR transformation, organisational redesign, culture building, leadership development, and digital transformation to her role as Chief People & Culture Officer.

Her career highlights include steering strategic initiatives, driving innovation, and crafting talent strategies in roles such as Group Human Resources Director at Jardine Schindler, Head of Human Resources at Livi Bank and Vice President of HR for Sony Music Entertainment in Asia and the Middle East. She has excelled in nurturing future leaders, notably as Head of the Starwood Academy Asia Pacific. Additionally, ShaoWei held pivotal roles at Accenture, Secoo Group, Wyndham Hotel Group, and United Overseas Bank, showcasing her versatility and commitment to growth.

ShaoWei's appointment reinforces Mandarin Oriental’s people-centric philosophy, a foundation of its ten-year strategy. As the Group continues its transformation journey to unfold its full potential, ShaoWei’s leadership will be pivotal in cultivating a culture of excellence and innovation across its global portfolio.

Xavier Romatet

Dean

Institut Français de la Mode

Graduated from Sciences Po, holding a Master's degree in Business Law and an MBA from HEC, Xavier Romatet began his career in marketing and communication as co-founder of the agency Directing, then General Manager and co-President of DDB France. In 2006, he became President and CEO of Condé Nast France (publisher of Vogue, Glamour, GQ, AD, and Vanity Fair), a position he held for over 12 years. From 2016, he was appointed Vice President of Condé Nast International and member of the Executive Committee. Xavier Romatet chaired the HEC Alumni Association from 2008 to 2011. Since August 26, 2019, Xavier Romatet has been leading the Institut Français de la Mode.

Alex Schellenberger

Chief Brand and Marketing Officer

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Alex is a seasoned leader with almost two decades of extensive branding, marketing, and commercial experience. He commenced his career at Procter & Gamble with various assignments across different geographies, including the Prestige Division, where he elevated the Hugo Boss fragrance line. Subsequently, he held senior executive positions steering transformative marketing and communication initiatives to redefine and reposition beauty and luxury goods brands at companies like Coty, Braun, and Swarovski.

Most recently, Alex served as Global Chief Marketing Officer for Accor, based in Paris, where he pioneered brand equity and rejuvenation across Accor’s portfolio of hospitality brands. Alex is a German national with extensive experience living in both Europe and Asia and is based at the Group’s Head Office in Hong Kong.

Mikael Schetter

VP Human Resources

LVMH Beauty Asia Pacific

A seasoned HR leader with extensive experience across APAC and Europe, Mikael demonstrates a passion for talent activism and people empowerment. He brings extensive human resources experience to the table, highlighted by leadership roles at LVMH as VP of Human Resources APAC LVMH Beauty and as Global Human Resources Director MAKE UP FOR EVER. His career includes guiding HR operations & strategy as North Europe Human Resources Director at GUCCI and as Human Resources Director at Levi's. He offers deep expertise in strategic HR management, talent development, and inspiring organizational cultures, showcasing a long-term commitment to human resources. He is dedicated to creating environments where individuals and teams not only thrive but excel. As a leader, he believes in "Nothing without my Team" and values collaboration, empathy, and understanding.

David Smaniotto

Managing Director Hong Kong and Macau

Hermès

David Smaniotto is the Managing Director of Hermès Hong Kong and Macau.

His career in the luxury industry spans over 22 years, starting with Cartier in France and in the US, before joining Hermès in 2006 to oversee Travel Retail for the Americas. After relocating to Singapore 16 years ago, David held key managerial positions in Southeast Asia, Middle East and India based in Dubai, and Thailand based in Bangkok, before settling in Hong Kong with his family 5 years ago.

A graduate from French business school ESSCA and Taiwan's National Central University, David was appointed French Foreign Trade Advisor in 2021.

Federico Tan

Managing Director

Advisory Council

A fashion industry veteran, Fed has worked in marketing and communications for over 20 years, and started his entrepreneurial journey in the agency world in 2012. His esteemed list of clients includes leading fashion brands and cultural personalities such as sacai, Acne Studios, LVMH, Moncler, adidas, CASETiFY, HongKong Land, HSBC, Takashi Murakami, and Pharrell Williams

Prior to establishing his own agency, Fed held various leadership roles at Diesel, Shanghai Tang, Shya‐la‐la, and Deloitte Consulting.

Felicia Teh

Human Resources Director, Northeast Asia

Richemont

Felicia is an experienced Human Resources leader with more than 20 years of business consulting and HR experience. She has held HR senior leadership roles in several multinational companies across diverse industries, balancing strategy and operational excellence to optimize business results. In her current role as Human Resources Director, Northeast Asia in Richemont, Felicia leads the people and talent agenda in the Northeast Asia region.

Felicia is passionate about developing high performing teams to deliver business impact through a shared vision and strong collaboration and engagement. She enjoys working with multi-cultural teams and nurturing young talent to pursue innovation and growth.

Dean Winter

Managing Director

Swire Hotels

Dean Winter is a hotelier and restaurateur, with over 35 years of experience in London, Hong Kong and Singapore. He joined Swire Hotels in 2006 and has been involved in the formation of the group as well as assisting in conceiving, designing and opening of hotels in the group. Dean has been MD for three years, prior to which he held the role of Group Operations Director. He was previously the opening General Manager of The Upper House.

Dean’s scope as MD is the day to day operational and strategic leadership of the portfolio under the two brands, EAST Hotels and The House Collective. He is responsible for all aspects of the group and steers the strategy to grow the portfolio, whilst being a niche player in the sector. Swire Hotels have announced four new hotels which will open from 2027 and are excited at the prospect of additional properties in the Chinese Mainland and the wider Asia Pacific region.

Dean originates from England but has called Hong Kong home for over 30 years. He is married with three daughters.