| Lionel Barber Editor Financial Times Lionel Barber is the Editor of the Financial Times. Since his appointment in November 2005, the FT has been pioneering the concept of the integrated newsroom, where reporters and editors work seamlessly across print and digital formats. During Mr Barber's tenure, the FT has won numerous global awards for its quality journalism, including three newspaper of the year awards (2008), which recognised the FT's role 'as a 21st century news organisation'. As Editor, Mr Barber has interviewed many of the world's leaders in business and politics including: President Barack Obama, Premier Wen Jiabao of China, President-elect Dmitry Medvedev of Russia, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, and President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa. Mr Barber began his career in journalism in 1978 as a reporter for The Scotsman. He moved to The Sunday Times as a Business Correspondent in 1981. He joined the FT in 1985 as a Business Reporter. In 1986, he became Washington Correspondent before being appointed Brussels Bureau Chief in 1992. He serves as the News Editor from 1998-2000 before taking charge of the continental European edition between 2000 and 2002, when he became US Managing Editor in charge of the FT’s American editorial operations. Mr Barber graduated in 1978 from St Edmund Hall, Oxford University with a joint hours degree in German and Modern History and speaks fluent French and German. During his career, Mr Barber has received several distinguished awards. In 1998, he was named one of the 101 most influential Europeans by Le Nouvel Observateur and in 2009, he was awarded the St George Society medal of honour for his contribution to journalism in the transatlantic community. | |
| Marco Bizzarri Chief Executive, Luxury - Couture and Leather Goods division, Kering; President & Chief Executive Officer Bottega Veneta Marco Bizzarri joined Bottega Veneta as president and chief executive officer in 2009, after first joining Kering, formerly known as Gucci group, in 2005 as president and chief executive officer of Stella McCartney and member of the Kering management committee. In 2013 he was appointed non-voting director of the Kering Board of directors, following his 2012 appointment as member of the executive committee of Kering. Mr Bizzarri contributed to successfully extending Stella McCartney’s presence in Japan and in the emerging markets – particularly Russia, China, India and Middle East. He joined the brand from Marithé & François Girbaud in Paris, where he was general manager. Previously, Mr Bizzarri worked for the Mandarina Duck Group from 1993 to 2004, most recently as general manager, being deeply involved in the brand’s successful international growth. Prior to this, Mr Bizzarri advised mid-sized and start-up businesses in Italy on strategy, business and organizational issues as part of Accenture’s strategy consulting team. Since his arrival at Bottega Veneta, Mr Bizzarri has focused on a strategy that emphasizes investing for growth, exclusivity and longevity, paying particular attention to reinforcing the European presence of the brand. As a result, Bottega Veneta has inaugurated new atelier in Montebello Vicentino, and opened the first Maison in the world, located in Milan. 2013 was an extraordinarily important year in the history of Bottega Veneta, which continued to steadily grow and achieve total revenues of 1.016 billion euro for the full year, up by 13.8% at constant currency (7.5% at reported currency) compared to 2012. The recurring operating income for the year reached 331 million euro, posting an eBit margin of 32.5%. The growth in revenue recorded in all markets during the first half of 2013 was reinforced in the second half of the year, which ultimately made it possible to surpass the goal of one billion euro in sales. | |
| Caroline Brown President Carolina Herrera Caroline Brown is president of Carolina Herrera, a global
luxury fashion house headquartered in | |
| Willem H Buiter Global Chief Economist Citigroup Willem Buiter joined Citi in January 2010 as chief economist. One of the world’s most distinguished macro economists, Mr Buiter previously was professor of Political Economy at the London School of Economics and is a widely published author on economic affairs in books, professional journals and the press. Between 2005 and 2010, he was an advisor to Goldman Sachs advising clients on a global basis. Prior to this, Mr Buiter was chief economist for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development between 2000 and 2005 and from 1997 and 2000 a founder external member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England. He has been a consultant to the IMF, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Asian Development Bank, the European Commission and an advisor to many central banks and finance ministries. Mr Buiter has held a number of other leading academic positions, including Cassel Professor of Money and Banking at the LSE between 1982 and 1984, professorships in Economics at Yale University in the US between 1985 and 1994, and professor of International Macroeconomics at Cambridge University in the UK between 1994 and 2000. Mr Buiter has a BA in Economics from Cambridge University and a PhD in Economics from Yale University. He has been a member of the British Academy since 1998 and was awarded the CBE in 2000 for services to economics. | |
| Jean Cassegrain CEO Longchamp For Jean Cassegrain, Longchamp is a way of life. Some of his earliest memories are centered on the business founded by his grandfather in 1948 − he recalls visits to the Longchamp workshops in western France and his grandmother’s store on the Champs-Elysées, family discussions of new ideas and prototypes, and, later, trips with his father to exhibitions and trade fairs around the world. He states that he never considered doing anything other than becoming an active member of the family firm. Before doing so, however, he acquired a solid grounding in business. He is a graduate of the prestigious Ecole Supérieure de Commerce in Paris and as part of his national service spent a year at the French Trade Commission in New York, assisting, French companies aiming to establish a foothold in the United States. He supplemented this with a two-and-a-half-year career in management consultancy before joining Longchamp. As his responsibilities gradually increased, Jean Cassegrain became CEO of the house, taking over the day-to-day running of Longchamp from his father who, as President, continues to be actively involved in the company. Jean Cassegrain focuses on further enhancing Longchamp’s position as a leading player in luxury goods, not only in France, where the company is already number one, but in strategic countries as well as in the emerging markets. No matter where it is present, Mr Cassegrain wants Longchamp to project an image of contemporary French luxury. This is achieved with creatively designed, beautifully crafted collections; striking advertising campaigns and the prestigious locations of its innovative stores. Jean Cassegrain was made a Knight of the National Order l de la Légion d’Honneur in January 2012. | |
| Gillian de Bono Editor How To Spend It Gillian de Bono joined the Financial Times in 1994 to set up a magazine department following the success of a trial issue of How to Spend It for FT Weekend. Previously, she spent 13 years launching, relaunching and editing women’s glossy magazines. Ms de Bono spent her formative journalist years at Consumers’ Association, publishers of Which? magazine where, as a writer, she won the first Rosemary Goodchild Award in 1986 for the year’s best article on women’s health. She has received three British Society of Magazine Editors awards – as Launch Editor of the Year in 1986 for Essentials magazine and as Newspaper Magazine Editor of the Year in 1999 and 2004 for How to Spend It. How to Spend It was voted Colour Supplement of the Year at the 2013 Newspaper Awards, the thirteenth time the magazine has won this award. How To Spend It is also the only colour supplement to have won all three major industry awards in a single year: The British Press Awards 2004, the British Society of Magazine Editors 2004 and The 2004 Newspaper Awards. | |
| 0 | Alejandra de la Vega Foster Businesswoman & Entrepreneur; President Almacenes Distribuidores de la Frontera |
| 0 | Alonso Dominguez Founder and Creative Director Cult of Monochrome |
| Lapo Elkann Chairman & Founder Italia Independent Group Lapo Elkann is a New York-born
Italian industrialist and creative entrepreneur. He is President and founder of Italia Independent
Group, a listed holding which includes Italia
Independent and Independent Ideas. In 2001, Lapo worked as Personal Assistant
to Henry Kissinger at Kissinger Associates in NYC. In
2002 he moved back to | |
| H. Stuart Foster Vice President, Marketing Hilton Luxury Brands H. Stuart Foster serves as Vice President of Marketing, Hilton Worldwide Luxury Brands, which includes Conrad Hotels & Resorts and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. He has had an extensive background overseeing marketing initiatives for some of the world’s top luxury brands, including Moët-Hennessy and L’Oreal. During his 15-year tenure with Moët-Hennessy, Foster utilized his rich marketing experience and luxury consumer insight to provide leadership in some of the world's top markets, including New York, Paris and Tokyo. While based in Paris as Global Brand Director for the group's namesake champagne brand, he developed and implemented a highly successful brand renewal strategy. While working in Tokyo, he reinvigorated the presence of one of the world's premier champagne brands, accelerating its growth in traditional channels while also building its visibility and presence in hotels, restaurants and wine shops. In his current role, Foster is charged with the development of Hilton Worlwide’s luxury brands, including positioning, advertising & communication, digital marketing as well as as promotions and partnerships. Recently, Foster led an integrated team of brand & digital marketing and PR executives to launch the new Waldorf Astoria Brand Campaign, The Stories Begin Here. Fluent in English and French and proficient in Japanese, Foster brings a global perspective to Hilton Worldwide Luxury Brands. He received his Master of Business Administration from New York University's Stern School of Business and his Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University. Stuart is based at the Hilton Worldwide Headquarters in McLean, Va. | |
| Vanessa Friedman Fashion Editor Financial Times Vanessa Friedman is Fashion Editor for the Financial Times. She writes a weekly column on Style and a daily blog, Material World, and is the editorial coordinator of the FT’s annual Business of Luxury Summit. Before joining the FT as Fashion Editor, Ms Friedman was the Fashion features Director for In Style UK, a position she held from 2000-2003. Prior to this, she worked as a Fashion Correspondent for the FT, as an Arts Contributor at The Economist and was the European Editor at American Elle. She has also written extensively on a freelance basis for Entertainment Weekly, Vogue, The New Yorker and Vanity Fair. In 2012, Ms Friedman was named winner of the Newswomen’s Club of New York Front Page Award for best ‘fashion reporting.’ She is the author of Emilio Pucci (Taschen), and an Honorary Professor at Glasgow-Caledonian University. She is a graduate of Princeton University and is on the History Department’s Advisory Council. | |
| William Hutchings Executive Director, Global Investment Research, Luxury Goods and Global Brands Goldman Sachs William Hutchings is an executive director at Goldman Sachs, based in London he is responsible for covering the Luxury Goods sector in the Global Investment Research division. Previously, Mr Hutchings has covered companies in the Retail and Consumer Products sectors. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs in October 2007, he worked at Ernst & Young, where he qualified as a chartered accountant. Mr Hutchings has a degree in Economics from Bristol University. | |
| Ira Kalish Global Chief Economist Deloitte Ira Kalish is chief global economist at
Deloitte. He is a specialist in global
economic issues as well as the effects of economic, demographic, and social
trends on the global business environment.
He has written about the economies of Western Europe, Eastern Europe, | |
| Andrew Keith President Lane Crawford and Joyce Andrew Keith is the president of
iconic, luxury department store Lane Crawford and cutting edge fashion boutique
Joyce. The two companies form part of The Lane Crawford Joyce Group,
Mr Keith was educated in | |
| William P Lauder Executive Chairman The Estée Lauder Companies William P. Lauder is executive chairman of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., a global leader in prestige beauty. Since joining the company in 1986, Mr Lauder has been instrumental in expanding its’ brand portfolio, distribution channels and international presence. Under his leadership he pioneered the company’s online business and oversaw the development of several successful new brands such as Origins as well as acquisitions such as Aveda, Bobbi Brown, M∙A∙C, and Smashbox. Mr Lauder was chief executive officer of the company from March 2008 to
June 2009 and president and chief executive officer from July 2004 to February
2008. From 2003 to 2004, he was chief operating officer. Mr Lauder is a
member of the Boards of Trustees of the | |
| Anthony Lim President (Americas) GIC Pte Ltd Anthony Lim is a Managing Director of the GIC. He was appointed as President (Americas) on 1st September 2009 with oversight of all of GIC’s offices in the Americas. In addition to this role, he also serves in a number of other functions related to the Company’s investment activities. Anthony was previously President of GIC’s London Office, and had lived in London from 1995 to 2009. Prior to joining the GIC, Anthony was a Senior Managing Director at Bankers Trust Company where he worked from 1987 to 1998. Anthony joined Bankers Trust Company from the Monetary Authority of Singapore where he was Head of the Foreign Exchange, Gold, and Liquidity Division. Anthony currently serves as a Trustee of the Hedge Funds Standards Board, and is a member of the Expert Advisory Council at The World Bank Treasury. He is a graduate of the National University of Singapore, and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. Anthony is based in GIC’s New York Office. | |
| Christian Louboutin Founder Christian Louboutin Christian Louboutin was born in Paris in 1963. He was brought up by his mother and three sisters, and credits this feminine environment as the inspiration for much of his work. As a child, he recalls discovering a drawing at the Museum of African Art, which showed a woman's sharp-heeled shoe, crossed out with a vivid red line. The image, which dated back to the 1950's and was intended to safeguard the museum's parquet floor, fascinated him. He had never seen such a shoe, which in its fine delicacy was in sharp contrast to the prevailing 1970s trends for flat or clunky heeled shoes, and the image never left him. A few years later, he discovered Paris' night life: a demi-monde of louche and revellers - some famous, some utterly unknown - united by their fondness for The Palace, a former theatre which had been transformed into a night-club of almost mythical status. He also frequented the music halls and theatres by day. Inspired by such an exotic and sensual world, his earliest designs were intended for the feet of the graceful dancers gliding the stage, an opportunity afforded to him in 1980, when he was offered an apprenticeship at the Folies Bergeres. In 1982, an internship at Charles Jourdan at Romans afforded him subsequent freelance opportunities for various prestigious design houses including Maud Frison, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. Following this, an episode working with Roger Vivier on his seminal exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris left a profound effect on the young designer who felt that after such a pleasurable partnership, he could not work for anyone else. And so, relinquishing his vocation in shoes in the late 1980's, he pursued his other passion as a landscape gardener. However it was not long before his imagination turned back towards his first love. In 1992, upon hearing of a newly available boutique in the Galerie Véro-Dodat, a historical Parisian passage located close to the Palais Royal, Christian and two other friends came together as business associates to officially form Christian Louboutin, the company. Four months after the boutique opened, an American journalist from W Magazine was sent to Paris with a mission to unearth new trends and places. She stumbled upon two women in an animated conversation about the beauty of the shoes in Louboutin's boutique; the article was published and the business took off. Over the years, Louboutin’s artistic evolution has been enriched through his love of travel. His taste for the exotic,interpreted to reflect his inimitable aesthetic, makes its appearance in the designs of his shoes and bags season after season. Equally, his passion for the arts - from landscape architecture to cinema - continues to fuel his imagination. | |
| Alejandro Ramírez Magaña CEO Cinépolis Chief Executive Officer of Cinepolis, the largest film exhibition company in Latin America, with presence in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Central America, India and the United States. He served as Mexico's Deputy Permanent Representative to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and as Chief of Staff of the Social Cabinet of the Government of Mexico.
He has worked for the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme in the areas of poverty and human development. He co-authored “Poverty, Human Development and Indigenous People in Latin America”. He is Chairman of the Morelia International Film Festival, President of the Mexican Chamber of the Film Industry and Vice-Chair of Mexicanos Primero, an initiative to raise the quality of public education in Mexico. He serves on the Boards of the Mexican Competitiveness Institute, Filmaid International, Deworm The World, the Harvard School of Public Health, the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies and Harvard's Global Advisory Council. He was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2005 and co-chaired the WEF's Annual Meeting in 2012.
Also in 2012, President Calderon appointed him as Chair of the B20, the G20's Business Summit. He holds a BA in Economics from Harvard University, an MSc in Development Economics from the University of Oxford and an MBA from Harvard Business School. | |
| Massimo Mazza Partner McKinsey & Company Massimo Mazza, McKinsey Partner and Leader of the Apparel, Fashion & Luxury Group in Latin America, has deep expertise in the luxury market in Brazil. He also has extensive insights into the industry and consumer trends in the country. Massimo's work is focused mainly on entry- and growth strategies for international players and local champions. He most recently conducted work for a luxury car manufacturer, a premium beverages company, a high-end cosmetics player, and an apparel company on a number of topics. Massimo has also served clients in other Latin American countries outside of Brazil (e.g., Colombia, Peru, Mexico, and Panama). Massimo holds a degree in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University, a Master's in Engineering from Ecole Centrale Paris, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. | |
| 0 | Carlo Mazzi Chairman Prada Spa |
| Stella McCartney, OBE Designer Born and raised in London and the English countryside, Stella McCartney graduated from Central St Martins in 1995. A signature style of sharp tailoring, natural confidence and sexy femininity was immediately apparent in her first collection and after only two collections, in 1997, she was appointed the Creative Director of Chloe in Paris and enjoyed great success during her tenure. Stella McCartney launched her own fashion house under her name in a partnership with Kering as a 50/50 joint venture and showed her first collection in Paris in October 2001. A lifelong vegetarian, Stella McCartney does not use any leather or fur in her designs. Her collections include women’s ready-to-wear, accessories, lingerie, eyewear, fragrance and kids. Stella McCartney now operates 29 freestanding stores in locations including Manhattan’s Soho, London’s Mayfair and Brompton Cross, LA’s West Hollywood, Paris’ Palais Royal, Milan and Tokyo. Her collections are now distributed in over 50 countries through 600 wholesale accounts including specialty shops, and department stores, as well as shipping to 100 countries online. In addition to the main line collection, a long-term partnership with adidas was introduced in September 2004. The critically acclaimed sports performance collection “adidas by Stella McCartney,” has since successfully grown to include several athletic disciplines including running, gym, yoga, tennis, swimming, winter sports and cycling. In 2003, Stella McCartney launched her first perfume “Stella.” In November 2005, the hugely successful one-off collection “Stella McCartney for H&M” sold out worldwide in record time. In 2008, a new lingerie line was launched. In November 2010 Stella McCartney Kids was launched, a collection catering for newborns and children up to the age of 14. In September 2011 Stella McCartney’s costume designs for the New York City Ballet’s Ocean’s Kingdom premiered in New York. For the Olympic Summer Games in 2012, Stella McCartney was appointed Team GB’s Creative Director by adidas - the first time in the history of the games that a leading fashion designer has designed the apparel for a country’s team across all competitions for both the Olympic and the Paralympic Games. Also in 2012; L.I.L.Y, her latest fragrance launched. In celebration of London in 2012, Stella McCartney presented a one-off capsule evening collection during London Fashion Week. Stella McCartney’s achievement in fashion and social awareness has been recognized on numerous occasions including the following: VH1/Vogue Fashion and Music 2000 Designer of the Year Award (2000, NY), the Glamour Award for Best Designer of the Year (2004, London), the Elle Style Award for Best Designer of the Year Award (2007, London), Best Designer of The Year at the British Style Awards (2007, London), Best Designer of The Year at the Spanish Elle Awards (2008, Barcelona), honoured by the NRDC, featured in the Time 100 and recognized as a Glamour magazine Woman of the Year (2009, NY), Red Carpet Award by the British Fashion Council (2011, London), Harper’s Bazaar Woman of the Year Awards’ British Designer of the year (2012, London), Telva magazine’s International Award (2012, Madrid), Designer of Year and Brand of the Year by the British Fashion Council (2012, London) and recipient of an Honorary Fellowship from the University of the Arts London; funding a new scholarship at Central Saint Martins for designers who adhere to her ethical view. Most recently in 2013, Stella McCartney received the Elle Style Award for Best International Designer of the Year ((London), H&M & Elle Conscious Award (Sweden) and was presented with an OBE, Order of the British Empire, award for excellence and service in the fashion industry. | |
| John Obayuwana Founder and Managing Director Polo Luxury Group John Obayuwana is Founder and Managing Director of Polo Luxury Group (PLG). Polo Luxury Group is the holding company of the leading luxury goods companies in West Africa – Polo Limited and Polo Avenue. Polo Limited is the foremost luxury goods retailer in Nigeria that specializes in high-end watches/timepieces, writing instruments, and accessories. Polo Avenue is a multi brand specialty retailer that focuses on fashion, leather goods, footwear and fragrances. PLG is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. Dedicated to his life’s vision to spread beauty and nobility, Obayuwana founded Polo iin 1991 out of the desire to create a company that enriches people’s lives with products of the finest quality and craftsmanship. Over the years, Polo has grown to an enterprise that has a diversified portfolio of the world most prestigious luxury brands such as Rolex, Cartier, Chopard, Hublot, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana etc. He has played a momentous role in defining and shaping the landscape of the luxury industry in Nigeria. As an astute businessman, Obayuwana has successfully launched several efficacious ventures in other industries and sectors. He is the Chairman of CAT Construction Group Limited, CAT Development Consultants Limited, CAT Engineering Company Limited, and CAT Oil & Energy Limited. In addition to his many professional accomplishments, he is involved in several initiatives and charitable organizations that are focused on impacting the sustainable social, political, and economic development of Nigeria. He is a member of the Think Tank Group, an organization that focuses on the advocacy of issues pertaining to economic development and paving the way for future generations. The group consists of business leaders, political figures and other influencers in Nigeria. He has previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of PPMC, a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Obayuwana is known for his many philanthropic works in Nigeria. He has been involved in several fundraising initiatives geared towards addressing societal issues such as the awarding of the SAN of chairing a fund raising for the 50th Anniversary of Birch Freeman High School in Lagos by the Governor of Lagos State. The proceeds from the event were used to build a multipurpose assembly hall for the school. He is also a fund raiser/donor to the ruling party in Nigeria – People’s Democratic party (PDP). He has received many awards and nominations for his continuous contribution to the social, economic, and political prosperity of Nigeria. | |
| Guillermo Ortiz Chairman Grupo Financiero Banorte-IXE, former Governor, Banco de México Guillermo Ortizis currently Chairman of the Board ofGrupoFinancieroBanorte-Ixe. Dr. Ortiz is also a member of the Group of Thirty, of the Advisory Board of the Center for Financial Stability, of the Advisory Council of the SWIFT Institute and of the Advisory Board of the Globalization and Monetary Policy Institute at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. He is Chairman of the Per Jacobsson Foundation, founder of GO & Asociados (an economic advisory and consulting firm created in 2009) and a member of the Quality of Life Advisory Board of the Government of Mexico City. Additionally, he currently serves as member of the International Advisory Council of Zurich Insurance Group Ltd., of the Board of Directors of Bombardier Inc.,of the Board of Directors of Weatherford International(a large oilfield and equipment company based in Geneva) and of the Board of several Mexican companies: AeropuertosdelSureste, GrupoComercialChedraui, Mexichem and Vitro. He was Governor of the Bank of Mexico from January 1998 to December 2009, serving two consecutive six-year terms. From December 1994 to December 1997, Dr. Ortiz served as Secretary of Finance and Public Credit in the Mexican Federal Government. In 2006 he was appointed to the Board of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and was elected Chairman of the Board in 2009. At the BIS he also chaired the Central Bank Governance Forum. From 2010 to 2011, he chaired the External Panel for the Review of the Fund’s Risk Management Framework at the International Monetary Fund(IMF). He also was a member of the Committee to Study Sustainable Long-term Financing of the IMF (2006-2007) and of the Committee on IMF Governance Reform (2008-2009). More recently, he accepted an invitation to participate in the IMF’s 2014 Triennial Surveillance Review as a member of the External Advisory Group. Prior to heading the Ministry of Finance in Mexico, Dr. Ortiz served as Secretary of Communications and Transportation and Undersecretary of Finance and Public Credit from 1988 to 1994. Before holding those positions, he was Executive Director at the IMF (1984-1988) and Manager as well as Deputy Manager in the Economic Research Department of the Bank of Mexico (1977-1984). He was also an economist in the Ministry of the Presidency of Mexico. Dr. Ortiz earned a BA degree in Economics from the Universidad NacionalAutónoma de México and a PhD in Economics from Stanford University. He has taught at universities in Mexico and the United States. He has published two books and numerous papers on economics and finance in specialized journals in Mexico and abroad. He has received several honors and awards. | |
| 0 | Cristina Pineda CEO Pineda Covalin Cristina Pineda co-founded Pineda Covalin with Ricardo Covalin in 1996. The company was established with the purpose of expanding and illustrating the richness of Latin American culture and traditions to a global audience, through fashionable products such as ties, purses, scarves and shoes, using diverse patterns on silk. The designs, which the company developed in collaboration with the National Anthropology Institute of Mexico, were, and still are, influenced by Mexican mythology, nature, architecture, sculpture, art and Prehispanic figures. Over the last 17 years Pineda Covalin’s products have been promoted globally and presented at some of the world’s most famous collections including Fashion Week Mexico, Fashion Week Miami and the Women Together Event in New York.
Ms Pineda continues to promote Mexican culture and arts and her most recent creation is XICO, a pet whose name recalls the origin of the Mexican world and is identified as symbol of the new generations in Mexico. XICO is now part of collections in the Moof Museum in Brussels as well as other collections in Velacruz, San Luis Potosi, Santiago de Chile, New York and Shanghai. Ms Pineda’s books have been translated into several languages and her work transcends borders. She has worked with architects and designers of various countries in the Biennial of design of Ambages, Belgium and in the second Latin American Biennial of Design in Madrid with the topics Design for All and Design for Development. She collaborates in the National Meeting of Museums of France, and made the collection Les Origines which is based on the origins of civilisation.
Ms Pineda is also an advisor to many organisations such as the Casa de la Amistad for children with cancer; World Vision - for children in need and Discovering Latin America which provides opportunities with culture and arts. In addition, she works with the UN to promote the transformation of violence against women.
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| Rob Pruitt Artist Rob Pruitt’s work is rooted in a pop sensibility and a playful critique of art world structures. His conceptual projects have included public sculpture such as The Andy Monument (2011) and his performance-based artworks such as the Art Awards, presented at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (2009, 2010), and featured in Art in America this fall. His projects have also taken the form of simple gestures that promote possibilities for creativity in everyday life, as demonstrated in the series 101 Art Ideas You Can Do Yourself (2001). From his
glittering paintings of panda bears and sculptural formations of blue jeans to
his operative flea markets, Mr Pruitt’s work is always characterized by an
incisive humor and exuberant visual flair. Institutions that have organized
solo presentations of his work include the | |
| Sarah Quinlan Senior Vice President & Group Head of Market Insights MasterCard Advisors Sarah is the Senior Vice President and Group Head of Market Insights for MasterCard Advisors, the analytics and insights consulting unit of MasterCard. Since joining MasterCard in January 2013, Sarah has advised executives in a range of industries, including retail, banking, capital markets, and government agencies, providing macro-to-micro economic trends related to consumer spending and retail sales. She and her team analyze and predict spending patterns, based on the billions of anonymous purchases MasterCard processes every year, to create solutions that help clients make better business decisions. Sarah is widely recognized as an expert in her field and appears regularly in the media including CNBC, the Associated Press, Fox Business Network, Bloomberg TV, the Times of London, The Daily Telegraph, and Women’s Wear Daily (WWD). She is also a frequent speaker at prominent industry conferences such as the Financo CEO Forum, Milken Institute summit, WWD CEO Summit and 100 Women in Hedge Funds. Prior to joining MasterCard Advisors, Sarah was the Founder and CIO of Katen Capital, a global macro hedge fund manager. Previously, she was the Chief Investment Officer and Head of Alternatives for Saad Financial Services, S.A. Before her role with Saad, Sarah was a portfolio manager at UBS, and at Lloyds TSB focusing on alternative investments. She was co-founder and portfolio manager of TwentyFirst Century Advisors, a small and mid-cap long/short hedge fund which was ranked in the Top 10 of Mar Hedge. She was also the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of ClienTec, a thin client computer company which was sold in 2000. She began her career at Salomon Brothers Inc. in mortgage sales and trading. Sarah received her BA and MBA from the University of Chicago in Politics, Economics, Rhetoric and Law with Special Honors and in Finance and Accounting, respectively. | |
| John Paul Rathbone Latin American Editor Financial Times John-Paul Rathbone was appointed Latin American Editor in April 2010, having previously edited the FT's Lex column.
He joined the FT in 2008 from Breaking views, where he was a financial commentator for several years and founding correspondent. Prior to that, he worked at Reuters and the World Bank.
Rathbone is a graduate of Oxford University, where he read Anthropology, and Columbia University, where he earned a Masters in Economics. He became a senior member of St. Antony’s College, Oxford, in 2006.
He is the author of The Sugar King of Havana: the rise and fall of Julio Lobo, Cuba's last tycoon (The Penguin Press, 2010). | |
| Carlos Salcido Chief Marketing Officer Palacio de Hierro Over twenty five years of expertise have established Carlos as an insightful strategist who possesses both deep rooted knowledge and a highly sensitive perception of luxury. It was in Mexico and Paris, France -at L’Oreal Group- where Carlos discovered the savoir-faire encompassed by product creation and the development of image-oriented business. He acted as an important contributor in bolstering high prestige brands such as Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren and Lanvin in Europe and South America. During his time in Paris, Carlos also collaborated closely with Paloma Picasso, which enabled him to gain invaluable insight on the construction of a universe as powerful and compelling as the one belonging to the brand of the famous artist’s daughter.
After his years at L’Oreal Headquarters, Carlos returned to Mexico by the hand of the LVMH Group, the number one conglomerate in luxury worldwide. During his tenure he acted as General Manager for Guerlain, repositioned the brand and unified all divisions of the LVMH portfolio brands available in Mexico.
Louis Vuitton is undoubtedly the brand that allowed Carlos to leave his mark through his innate leadership by breaking ground in new markets while opening new doors and being a key player in making the luxury industry blossom in Mexico.
Since 2007, Carlos has been permeating his passion for luxury in El Palacio de Hierro where he has aligned marketing strategies that have strengthened the chain’s extraordinary position and awareness. El Palacio de Hierro is México’s only department store chain that is identified as a brand in itself which has created an entire lifestyle defined as “Totalmente Palacio” (Totally Palacio).
Passionate for travel, fashion and reading books and magazines, Carlos shares his most luxurious possession: time, with his wife Claudia and their five dogs while continuing his literary workshop to perhaps someday publish his first novel as he also keeps on exploring another one of his hobbies; photography. | |
| Rachel Sanderson Milan Correspondent Financial Times Rachel Sanderson has been the Financial Times’ Milan Correspondent since November 2012. In this role she covers Italian business and finance, ranging from banks and country's industrial giants through to niche family firms and luxury goods companies. She also leads FT corporate coverage of the global luxury goods industry, working closely with colleagues in countries with large luxury sectors.
Rachel joined the FT in 2009 as the Senior UK Companies Reporter, responsible for reporting on broad corporate and financial trends.
Prior to this, Rachel was Italy and Consumer Industries correspondent at Breaking Views and a senior correspondent at Reuters where she reported from Rome, Milan, Paris, Los Angeles and New York. Rachel joined Reuters as a graduate trainee in 2001.
Rachel read English at Cambridge University. She speaks French and Italian. | |
| Mikael Schiller Executive Chairman Acne Studios As CEO and later Chairman, Mikael Schiller has led progressive fashion house Acne Studios from 1 to over 100 MEUR turnover in 13 years. The independently owned brand from Stockholm, Sweden, has found an imitable path in merging ready-to-wear and streetwear, founded in a dynamic context where a clearly defined image and thriving business goes hand in hand – as manifested in the continuous growth of own stores and a significant online commerce. Today, Acne Studios has flagship stores in Paris, London, New York City, Los Angeles, Stockholm and Tokyo. Mikael Schiller has a master degree from the Stockholm School of Economics. Before joining Acne Studios, he had a brief career as a fireworks entrepreneur, psychology teacher and investment manager. He lives between Stockholm and New York City. | |
| Joseph Sitt President and CEO Thor Equities Joseph Sitt is the President and CEO of Thor Equities — a forward-thinking international real estate development company that specialises in value-added investments in shopping centers, malls, hotels, and mixed-use urban developments in the United States, Europe, and Latin America with a portfolio totalling more than 15 million square feet. Mr Sitt also serves as Chairman and Managing Principal of the Thor Urban Property Funds whose investors include pension funds, investment banks, top-tier college endowments, and foundations. Thor has two brokerage affiliates as well: Thor High Street Advisors, which provides tenant representation and advisory services to high end retailers seeking premier retail locations around the world, and TOWN Residential, New York’s new premier, and game changing, full-service luxury residential real estate firm. Formerly, Mr Sitt founded the women’s clothing retailer Ashley Stewart and its success prompted many national retailers to take notice of opportunities in the urban marketplace. He is also a frequent guest lecturer at colleges around New York City and the country, an active Board member on various non-profits including the renowned The Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, and has been honoured by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) for his commitment to fostering healthy competitive business conditions and new opportunities in inner city neighbourhoods. | |
| Roberto Stern CEO & Creative Director H. Stern Mr Roberto Stern joined H.Stern in 1987. He was responsible for the creation of value added to the brand, brought by innovative marketing actions and reformulation of the production structure. Since 1997, Mr Stern has held the position of main executive in the company and led the design team, taking care personally of new collections of watches and jewelry. He has been setting up and training teams, using modern administrative methodologies. Mr Stern has established the fundaments for company’s vision and mission basing it on respect to the founder’s values and maintaining the core of a family business. Mr Stern holds a degree in Economics and
has also graduated from GIA (Gemological Institute of America) with a degree in
Gemology. For 10 consecutive years he has been participating in the YPO
President’s Seminar in
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| John Studzinski, CBE Senior Managing Director, Global Head Blackstone Advisory Partners John Studzinski CBE runs Blackstone Advisory Partners and is a Senior Managing Director of The Blackstone Group. He is a member of the firm's Executive Committee. He joined Blackstone in 2006.
John Studzinski began his banking career in 1980 at Morgan Stanley in investment banking in New York and then worked much of his career in London where he served as Head of European Investment Banking and Deputy Chairman of Morgan Stanley International until 2003.
Mr Studzinski spent three years at HSBC as a member of the Group Management Board and Co-Head of the Investment Banking Division.
Recent transaction experience includes advising Suez in the CIC investment in International Power Operations, the acquisition of International Power and the merger with Gaz de France, the Board of AIG on its global restructuring, Peugeot on its China Manufacturing Operations, the Board of Reuters in the merger with Thomson, the Coty acquisition of Philosophy, the Chinalco acquisition of its stake in Rio Tinto and advising Xerox on its acquisition of ACS.
John Studzinski graduated from Bowdoin College and received an MBA from the University of Chicago. John Studzinski is Vice Chair of Human Rights Watch and serves on the Board of Directors of Bowdoin College, FAPE, The Passage Day Centre, American Patrons of Tate, American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry and the Royal Parks Foundation. He also serves as Chairman of The Benjamin Franklin House Museum and CREATE.
He founded the Genesis Foundation in 2000. The Foundation is his personal foundation which supports and nurtures young and emerging artists. The Foundation celebrated ten years of success in 2010.
He is also a member of The Atlantic Council, The Council on Foreign Relations, The Royal College of Art and The Peterson Institute.
Awards and honors include: Papal honors of Knight of the Order of St Gregory and Knight Commander of Saint Sylvester. Prince of Wales Ambassador Award. The Beacon Prize for Philanthropy and Banker of the Year in 2008. In 2008, Mr Studzinski was named in the Queen's New Years Honours List as a Commander of the British Empire ("CBE") for services to the Arts and Charity. | |
| Luis Videgaray Caso Secretary of Finance and Public Credit of Mexico Luis Videgaray Caso was appointed minister of Finance and Public Credit of Mexico in 2012. His previous positions include: General Coordinator of the presidential campaign of Enrique Peña Nieto, Coordinator, Public Policy and General Coordinator, Government Transition Team. March - July 2011, President, Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), State of Mexico and General Coordinator, political campaign of Eruviel Ávila Villegas for Governor of the State of Mexico. Until March 2011, Member of Congress.President, Budget and Public Debt Commission, LXI Legislature. 2001-05, Director, Public Finance, advisory group PROTEGO. Secretary of Finance, administration of Enrique Peña Nieto as Governor of the State of Mexico; implemented disciplinary policies as well as the modernization of the public sector; promoted constitutional and regulatory reforms related to public-private partnerships. 1992 and 1994, Adviser to the Secretary of Finance and Public Credit.1996, Adviser to the Secretary of Energy. Mr Videgaray Caso holds a BA degree in Economics from Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and a PhD in Economics with specialization in public finance from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is also professor at ITAM and Iberoamerican University. Awards: 2014 Global Finance Minister of the Year (The Banker magazine); 2014 Americas Finance Minister of the Year (The Banker magazine); 2014 Latin American Minister of Finance (AméricaEconomía magazine), and 1995 First Place, Banco Nacional de México National Economics Award. | |
| Martin Wolf, CBE Chief Economics Commentator Financial Times Martin Wolf is an Associate Editor and Chief Economics Commentator at the Financial Times, London. He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the British Empire) in 2000 "for services to financial journalism". Mr Wolf is an associate member of the governing body of Nuffield College, Oxford, Honorary Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford University, an honorary fellow of the Oxford Institute for Economic Policy (Oxonia) and a Special Professor at the University of Nottingham. He has been a forum fellow at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, in Davos, since 1999 and a member of its International Media Council since 2006. He was made a Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, by Nottingham University in July 2006. He was made a Doctor of Science (Economics) of London University, honoris causa, by the London School of Economics in December 2006. He was made a Doctor of Science, honoris causa, by Warwick University in July 2009. | |
| Yi Zhou Multimedia artist; Art Director, tudou.com; Sina & Weibo ambassador Chinese young multimedia artist who has lived in Rome from the age of ten and studied between London and Paris with degrees in Political Science and Economics, Yi Zhou is a polyglot artist whose work has been shown at Shanghai Biennale, Venice Biennale and Sundance Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival. An image maker and muse, switching from the front to the back of the camera, Yi Zhou is a modern-day Chinese Hitchcock, Yoko Ono and Cindy Sherman. Currently, Yi Zhou is also Tudou.com’s (Chinese would-be youtube) art-director and serves as art and fashion advisory member at Sina.com (which owns Chinese twitter) and is named as beauty and fashion icon and ambassador for Tencent.com (which owns Wechat program). If Yi Zhou's work is not pop, the life she has been embracing reminds of Andy Warhol's philosophy: establishing her work as leading video artist, ranging her works from 3D animations to sculptures, music composition, filmmaking, acting as active promoter of East meets West culture at key leading events such as TEDx (Paris in 2012 and Beijing in 2013) and Women's Forum (in Deauville in 2012 and in Burma in 2013). Like Andy Warhol at his time, her work is also recognized by members of highly diverse social circles such as distinguished intellectuals, Hollywood celebrities and wealthy patrons and young social media audience. | |
| Burak Ҫelet CEO DESA Burak Celet is the general manager of the premium leather goods brand Desa and the luxury accessories brand Nineteenseventytwo. The company has a 40 year old heritage combining traditional values of craftsmanship with quality and design. Desa prides itself on the high quality leather accessories and ready-to-wear pieces it is renowned for producing. Mr Celet is now responsible for a workforce of 2,000 and a turnover of more than $100 million. After taking the company public in 2004, he has led Desa to become the country’s largest exporter in its industry in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Apart from catering to the needs of its own brand, Desa’s vertically integrated manufacturing facilities supply many luxury brands including Prada, Miu Miu, Chanel and Mulberry with leather and products made of leather. Mr Celet has also expanded the number of Desa stores to 90 including 2 in London. Mr Celet graduated in May 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Bogazici University in Istanbul. He then went on to secure a Masters in Business Administration in the United States and a Masters of Science in Leather Technology in the UK, graduating from both with a distinction. Mr Celet also regularly teaches graduate students as guest lecturer and is the vice-president of the United Brands Association and a board member of IDMIB, the Leather goods Exporters Association. | |
