Mona Kattan

Founder & CEO KAYALI

Mona Kattan, a trailblazing Arab American entrepreneur, is recognized as one of the most influential women in the beauty industry and the Arab world. As the founder of KAYALI fragrances, she has achieved remarkable success, dedicated to fostering inclusivity in beauty and empowering the next generation of beauty enthusiasts. After earning her bachelor’s degree in finance, Mona briefly worked in investment banking before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey. In 2009, she launched her first business venture, a PR and business consultancy, while simultaneously building her personal network and community. In 2012, Mona co-founded a beauty salon with one of her friends, which led her to the idea of creating Huda Beauty with her sisters, Huda and Alya. Mona's ultimate passion, however, has always been fragrance. Known as the "Perfume Princess," she has established herself as a leading figure in the fragrance world. With over 5,000 perfumes in her fragrance library. In 2018, she was honored as the "Most Influential Social Media Personality" by The Fragrance Foundation. Under her leadership, KAYALI has achieved multiple accolades: in 2025, Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar | 42 was named Fragrance of the Year – Women’s Prestige, recognized for its captivating scent, innovative composition, and strong consumer appeal, while Yum Boujee Marshmallow | 81 was celebrated as a BeautyWorld Middle East Popular Fragrance of the Year. Driven by her love for perfume, Mona launched KAYALI in 2018. The brand, which means “my imagination” in Arabic, draws inspiration from her Middle Eastern heritage and the art of layering scents. Mona leads the creative vision for KAYALI, working with world-renowned perfumers and sourcing top-tier ingredients to create unforgettable, cruelty-free fragrances. Each luxurious scent, from its alluring notes to its beautifully crafted bottles, is a tribute to expert craftsmanship and storytelling.

Kristina Blahnik

CEO Manolo Blahnik

For more than a decade, Kristina Blahnik has led Manolo Blahnik, guiding the family business through international growth while protecting Manolo’s legacy and unique creative identity. As chief executive, she combines strategic leadership with a commitment to the brand’s creativity craftsmanship.

Kristina’s guiding principle is “to optimise, not maximise.” This long-term approach has shaped the company’s expansion from two boutiques to a global retail network, with a focus on markets including the Middle East, Asia and North America. In 2024, Blahnik led Manolo Blahnik’s entry into mainland China, opening a flagship in Shanghai and establishing a wholly foreign-owned enterprise. A joint venture in Hong Kong supported the opening of three further stores, strengthening the brand’s presence in Asia.

Blahnik’s training as an architect informs her attention to detail and ability to blend precision with creativity. She contributed to the brand’s evolution, including the design of its first exhibition at London’s Design Museum in 2003. Today, she works closely with her uncle, founder and creative director Manolo Blahnik, on each collection. In 2021, she launched the Manolo Blahnik Archives, a virtual platform marking the company’s 50th anniversary and inviting audiences to explore its history and designs.

Kristina has championed collaborations that introduce the house to new audiences. Projects with Rihanna, Birkenstock and most recently Balenciaga have brought Manolo Blahnik’s craftsmanship into fresh creative contexts.

In 2022, Blahnik established the Manolo Blahnik Foundation to support mental health, animal welfare, emerging creative talent and humanitarian causes. The company received Great Place to Work certification in 2024, reflecting her commitment to a supportive and inclusive workplace. During her tenure, the business grew from 10 full-time employees to more than 250 by the end of 2024.

Kristina Romanova

CEO Aman Essentials

Kristina Romanova is a prominent figure in the fashion industry, widely recognized for her formidable career and strong business acumen. Born in Volgograd, Russia, she first launched her profession as a model, earning acclaim for her versatile style and landing a multitude of special opportunities, including starring alongside AVICII in his first hit music video. Within fashion, she continues to work with prestigious brands both in traditional and digital spaces.

Through those experiences, she has since expanded her horizons in the luxury realm and now serves as the CEO of Aman Essentials. As CEO, Kristina has successfully transformed Aman Essentials into a leading lifestyle brand celebrated for its commitment to minimalism and versatility. Kristina joined Aman in 2020 and under her leadership, Aman Essentials has embraced a philosophy of “slow fashion,” focusing on ethical production processes and reducing waste, which resonates with the growing demand for environmentally responsible practices. She oversees all aspects of the brand, from design conception to marketing strategies, ensuring that every piece embodies the core values of authenticity and innovation. Bringing expertise within the fashion and beauty industries, she continues to drive forward Aman’s brand extensions, including Aman Skincare, Aman Fine Fragrance, ready-to-wear and accessories.

Under her direction, Aman Essentials has also pursued select creative collaborations, including a partnership with renowned designer Kim Jones and the globally influential retail platform Dover Street Market, with the collection set to launch in late 2026. Further positioning the brand within the international

fashion landscape. Kristina’s entrepreneurial spirit has been a driving force in reshaping what retail means for the hospitality business. Leading the creative vision for retail products and consumer experience across multiple channels, she has helped create a new niche in the consumer space by blending retail and hospitality.

In addition to her business endeavours, Kristina actively engages with her audience on social media, sharing insights into her creative process and the ethical practices behind Aman Essentials. Her ability to blend fashion and social responsibility has not only set her brand apart but has also established her as an influential voice in today's industry. As she continues to lead Aman Essentials, Kristina remains focused on inspiring positive change within fashion and beauty, advocating for sustainability, and championing progressive causes both within the brand and beyond.

Miral Youssef

President Middle East & Africa, Kering

Miral Youssef is the President of Kering Middle East & Africa, based in Dubai, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the Group’s strategic vision, growth trajectory, and brand presence across a diverse and fast-evolving region.

With a deep understanding of the market and a passion for excellence, Miral’s mission is to unlock growth opportunities and forge authentic connections with local communities and strategic partners, accelerating the expansion of Kering’s Houses across eight countries in the Middle East and Africa. Miral is known for amplifying Kering’s collective voice while navigating the dynamic intersection of global luxury leadership and regional cultural depth.

In addition to championing brand authenticity, she fosters a strong sense of community and engagement within the Group both internally and externally in alignment with Kering’s long-term values and purpose-driven vision.

Miral joined Kering in 2019 as the Middle East General Manager at Balenciaga, where she led the brand’s establishment and growth across four countries, successfully overseeing all business operations in the region until 2023.

She brings a distinguished career in the luxury industry, marked by strategic leadership and innovation.

Before joining Kering, she held roles at internationally renowned fashion houses including Vivienne Westwood, Theory, and Ralph Lauren in the UK, where she contributed to brand development and market positioning.

Her journey then led her to Chalhoub Group, a leading luxury retailer in the Middle East, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the regional retail landscape. There, she oversaw commercial and franchise operations for a portfolio of prestigious brands, while also spearheading new retail concepts and driving business development initiatives across the Group.

Miral is deeply committed to mentoring and empowering women in the early stages of their careers, actively supporting initiatives that champion female leadership and foster professional growth within the industry.

Her commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent extends well beyond her executive role.

She also serves on several advisory boards including the Arab Fashion Council and Heriot-Watt University, where she contributes her expertise to advancing education and the future of the luxury and fashion industries.

Born in London, Miral holds a Master’s degree in Fashion Culture and Media from the London College of Fashion.

Laurent Claquin

Group Chief Brand Officer Kering

Laurent Claquin begins his career as a consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, before assuming various responsibilities at the Jeu de Paume, at the Centre Pompidou, and as Chief of Staff of the French Minister of Culture and Communication. He joins the Group in 2005, assuming several leadership roles, including Senior VP of Communications and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility. In 2012, Laurent Claquin becomes President of Kering Americas. He also was the CEO of Tomas Maier from 2017 to 2018.

In 2024, he is appointed Group Chief Brand Officer, in order to enhance the appeal of Kering’s corporate brand as well as increase its visibility and influence. He defines and coordinates Kering’s communications, both externally and internally, across all regions and supports the Houses by amplifying their communications efforts.

A French national, Laurent Claquin is a graduate of ESC Rennes School of Business, Exeter University, and Université Paris VIII.

Alex Schellenberger

Chief Brand and Marketing Officer Mandarin Oriental

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.

Celine Assimon

Chief Commercial Officer Kerzner International

Celine Assimon, Chief Commercial Officer at Kerzner International, brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience across luxury retail, luxury goods, fine art and collectibles. Over the course of her career, she has consistently driven brand transformation, accelerated commercial performance and built high-performing global teams across some of the world’s most prestigious maisons.

As Chief Commercial Officer, Celine is responsible for defining and delivering Kerzner International’s global commercial strategy across all brands and business segments. She leads the Group’s top-line performance, brand positioning and international expansion, while overseeing PR, Marketing, Sales, Revenue and Distribution. Her remit centres on creating a fully integrated, data-led commercial approach that strengthens market presence and long-term growth.

Celine joined Kerzner from Bonhams in London, where she served as Chief Commercial Officer, shaping commercial strategy and supporting international growth across both auctions and private sales at one of the world’s leading auction houses. Prior to this, she was Chief Executive Officer of De Beers Jewellers, where she led the Maison’s strategic repositioning and global transformation. During her tenure, she introduced a new retail concept and product strategy, expanded the brand’s footprint across key international markets and embedded a client-centric culture across the organisation.

Earlier in her career, Celine held senior leadership roles at Piaget and Louis Vuitton, where she led international commercial development, high jewellery and watchmaking sales and client strategy across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. A Diamond Graduate of the Gemological Institute of America, she holds a Master’s degree in Marketing Management from Audencia in Nantes.

Elisa Sorgi

President, Middle East Miu Miu

Elisa Sorgi is President of Miu Miu Middle East, where she leads the brand’s strategic growth across one of the world’s most dynamic luxury markets. With more than two decades of experience in luxury fashion, retail, merchandising, and business strategy, she has played a key role in strengthening Miu Miu’s presence in the region and deepening engagement with a new generation of luxury consumers.
Prior to joining Miu Miu, Elisa held senior leadership positions with renowned luxury businesses including Fendi, Chalhoub Group, and The Luxury Closet, as well as strategic consulting roles with Bain & Company. Her career has been defined by a deep understanding of luxury retail, client experience, and brand development across global and regional markets.
Combining strategic vision with extensive industry expertise, Elisa brings valuable insights into the evolving luxury landscape, changing consumer behaviors, and the future of luxury in the Middle East.

HH Princess Noura Faisal Al Saud

CEO JAY3LLE

After successfully leading high-profile, large-scale projects in Saudi Arabia, including the Kingdom’s first-ever Fashion Week, Her Highness Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud joined the Ministry of Culture’s Fashion Commission, where she shaped the nation’s fashion industry strategy and launched Saudi Arabia’s first fashion mentorship programs. In 2022, she transitioned back to the private sector, founding Culture House, a creative agency specializing in cultural activations and innovative communication solutions. Recognized for her leadership, she was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2023 and appointed Chairwoman of the Forbes Middle East Women’s Summit. In 2024, Al Othaim Investment appointed her as Advisor to the Group CEO and later CEO of Al Othaim Culture, where she spearheaded fashion and cultural initiatives. That same year, Princess Noura was recognized among the BOF 500, the definitive index of global fashion leaders, further solidifying her influence in the industry. After completing her mission with Al Othaim in early 2025, she resumed her role as CEO of Culture House, continuing her work in driving cultural innovation and creative strategies. Now, as the founder of Culture House, Princess Noura has also been appointed CEO of JAY3LLE, a progressive luxury brand with a global vision. In this role, she is shaping the brand’s strategy and growth, bringing her deep expertise in fashion and culture. Building on JAY3LLE’s unique positioning at the intersection of fashion, sport, and lifestyle, she is also championing the brand’s connection to golf, a sport that embodies elegance, community, and global ambition. Under her leadership, JAY3LLE is set to redefine what a Saudi-born luxury brand can represent, both on and off the course.

Ingie Chalhoub

Founder & CEO Etoile Group

Ingie Chalhoub is a Middle East style icon, business leader and philanthropist. An innovator in luxury fashion retail, Ingie has been instrumental in the growth of the sector in the Middle East over the last four decades, since creating the Etoile Group in 1983. Under Ingie’s vision and leadership, Etoile Group has become one of the highest profile names in Middle East fashion retail, bringing some of the world’s most respected luxury brands to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Lebanon. Today, Etoile Group operates in partnership with Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Valentino, Tod’s, Etro, and Aquazzura, as well as running its own omni-channel multi-brand store, Etoile La Boutique.

Ingie has received numerous accolades recognising both her business and style acumen. These include France’s prestigious ‘Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur’, given in recognition of her achievements, dedication and commitment to the diffusion of French luxury in Europe and the Middle East. Ingie has also been consistently recognised and awarded by leading media titles in Europe and the Middle East throughout her career, including Forbes Middle East, CEO Magazine, Arabian Business, Emirates Woman, ELLE, as well as receiving the title of Icon of the Middle East by Images Retail ME and Woman of the Year by L’Officielle Arabia.

Building on this legacy, Ingie was recently recognized with the Emirates Woman Visionary Issue Award 2024 and crowned the Emirates Woman of the Year. Additionally, she was awarded the Business Woman of the Year Award at the Arab Business Woman Awards by Arabian Business, further cementing her status as a trailblazing leader in the industry. Most recently, in January she was named one of the Top 50 Over 50 on Forbes Global List for 2025.

Ingie was also awarded the “Ethical Fashion Award” for ethical and social engagement by the Monte Carlo Fashion Week. She has also received the prestigious Murex D’or Award in honour of her accomplishments as a Lebanese pioneer in the fashion business, both regionally and internationally. A committed philanthropist, Ingie is a founding member of the UNICEF Leadership Circle, Gulf Region and supporter of Dubai Cares, actively contributing to their charitable programmes. She is also an ambassador for Pink Caravan as well as the 10KSA project in support of breast cancer research and awareness.

Nicolas Morineaux

CEO, China Galeries Lafayette

With 25 years of international experience in luxury and premium multi-category retail, Nicolas Morineaux is a seasoned leader with profound industry expertise and insight. His comprehensive grasp of the Brands, Clients, and Operators ecosystem, combined with a sharp eye for emerging trends, establishes him as an authoritative voice championing the future of retail.

As Chief Executive Officer of Galeries Lafayette China, Nicolas is spearheading the strategic positioning of France’s most iconic department store from his base in Shanghai, navigating one of the world's most dynamic and competitive markets.

Throughout his career, Nicolas has held senior leadership roles at globally renowned groups, including LVMH and Richemont. He has managed a diverse portfolio of 12 premium and luxury brands—such as Celine, Loewe, and Rimowa—driving growth, brand transformation, and market adaptation across major hubs from Tokyo and New York to Hong Kong. His work is defined by his ability to fuse creative vision with commercial strategy, positioning him as a key figure in shaping how brands connect with evolving consumer expectations.

A graduate of ESSEC Business School, Nicolas is also an active contributor to the wider business and cultural community, having served on the boards of the French Chamber of Commerce and the French International School in Hong Kong.

Gabby Chen

President, Global Markets Florasis

Gabby Chen is President of Global Markets at Florasis, where she leads the company's international P&L, business model, market-entry strategy, omnichannel expansion, and global organization. Since joining Florasis in 2023, she has built and scaled the company's international business across Asia, North America, Europe, and the Middle East, delivering triple-digit year-on-year growth through 2026 YTD and achieving the division's first monthly operating profit in 2025. Gabby brings more than 20 years of experience building and transforming consumer and beauty businesses across the Asia-Pacific region. With deep expertise in consumer insights, strategic acumen, and forging key partnerships, she has consistently driven growth and profitability across highly competitive markets. Prior to joining Florasis, Gabby led Lane Crawford's beauty business in China, where she delivered 380% growth. Before that, she founded Mood Editing Cosmetics, a joint venture with NetEase — one of China's leading internet technology companies — which was acquired by NetEase in 2020. She also successfully introduced the fashion brand KENDALL+KYLIE to the Asia-Pacific region as its sole distributor. Beyond her corporate career, Gabby is a passionate entrepreneur and investor. She is the founder of Janes & Hooch, a renowned speakeasy bar in Beijing recognized as one of the world's top 50 bars, and has served as an angel investor in Alesca Life, an agricultural technology company specializing in indoor vertical farming and farm management software. Gabby was named a Vogue Business 100 Innovator in the Beauty Disruptors category, and has been recognized by BeautyMatter and Forbes China for her leadership in global beauty and Chinese brands' international expansion. She is also a columnist and industry contributor for Jing Daily, BeautyMatter, and other international platforms.

Peter Wood

CEO AllSaints

Peter Wood is the Chief Executive Officer of AllSaints, the global contemporary fashion brand, and John Varvatos, the modern American luxury menswear brand. He joined AllSaints in 2010 as Chief Financial Officer and became Chief Executive Officer in 2018, assuming leadership of John Varvatos when the brand was acquired in 2020. Under his tenure, both AllSaints and John Varvatos have delivered sustained record results, most recently reporting a new record group profit performance for the year to February 2025. With annual revenues in excess of £400 million the combined AllSaints/John Varvatos group has approximately 250 directly managed stores, concessions and outlets across 16 countries, supported by a significant online presence, a strong international network of leading wholesale and franchise partners, and a global team of more than 2,000 employees. Peter’s leadership has been widely recognised. He was named Leader of the Year at the 2025 Drapers Awards, while AllSaints was crowned Fashion Retailer of the Year at the Retail Week Awards 2025 and Retailer of the Year at the 2023 Drapers Awards. Peter qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1997, specialising in corporate finance with Arthur Andersen in Scotland and London. His early career saw him work with private equity firms and leading UK entrepreneurs in the consumer sector to support their growth ambitions. In 2000, he was appointed Chief Financial Officer of USC, the muti-brand casualwear retailer that was Diesel's largest European wholesale customer at the time. In 2022, Peter joined the Board of the British Retail Consortium as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of its Audit and Risk Committee. He lives in Hampshire with his wife and two children.

Juliette Streichenberger

President, EMEA Canada Goose

Juliette Streichenberger joined Canada Goose in 2023 with almost 30 years of global luxury experience, having led teams at Hermès, Prada and LVMH. She’s held senior leadership roles across the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Europe, and most recently, served as the Managing Director for Hermès Europe. Juliette is known for her empowering leadership, achievements in commercial expansion and driving remarkable growth for globally renowned organizations. She is responsible for all our operations in EMEA, bringing the brand’s vision and values to life across the region. Juliette has a Master’s Degree in Economics &Finance from SciencesPo and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and History from Paris Nanterre University.

Krishna Nikhil

CEO Hunza G

Krishna is an accomplished CEO and brand builder with deep experience scaling global consumer, fashion and retail businesses. He has a track record of partnering with founders to build commercially strong brands with enduring customer and cultural relevance, spanning retail, e-commerce, merchandising, marketing and sustainability. He is currently CEO of London-based swimwear brand Hunza G, partnering with founder Georgiana Huddart to build a generational brand around timeless design, technical innovation and truly inclusive product. Previously, Krishna was the first CEO of PANGAIA, where he led the company through its next phase of global growth, including new physical locations, regional partnerships, category expansion and the development of its B2B business. Prior to PANGAIA, he was Chief Merchandising Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at SSENSE, helping scale the business from $400M to more than $1B in revenue. He previously held senior leadership roles at Indigo and spent over 11 years at McKinsey, where he was a Partner in the Retail and Global Fashion & Luxury practices.

Joshua Hirsch

CEO Danielle Frankel

Joshua Hirsch is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Danielle Frankel, the New York based luxury bridal and occasion wear house he built alongside his wife, Creative Director Danielle Frankel. With flagships in New York and Los Angeles and international flagship expansion in the coming months, the brand has pursued a singular thesis since its founding: that an independent American house can be built to the craft standards of the great European maisons, treating bridal with the seriousness and craftmanship of couture.

A banker by training, Joshua spent his career in finance and media before fashion, most recently as Chief Operating Officer of The Free Press, where he helped build the company into one of the leading independent media businesses in the United States. He brought that operational discipline to Danielle Frankel, where he oversees all aspects of the business, from retail, wholesale, and finance to real estate and international expansion.

He lives in Brooklyn Heights with Danielle and their two children.

Emma McFerran

CEO Lyst

Emma McFerran is Chief Executive Officer of Lyst, the world’s leading premium and luxury fashion shopping platform. Over her 12 years at Lyst she has scaled the business to serve 160 million annual shoppers across 190 markets, partnering with 27,000 brands. As CEO since 2022, Emma has led Lyst’s transformation into an app-first business, pioneering AI-driven personalisation and built on the fashion industry’s largest dataset. She drove the company to profitability and in 2025 led Lyst’s acquisition by Japan’s ZOZO Group, positioning the platform to accelerate its AI-powered discovery experience globally. Throughout her time at Lyst, Emma has championed a culture-first, data-driven approach to building cross-functional teams that create industry-defining products.

Francesco Bottigliero

Chief of Humanistic Technology Foro delle Arti & Brunello Cucinelli

Francesco Bottigliero is the Chief of Humanistic Technology at Brunello Cucinelli and Foro delle Arti, the group’s holding company, whose mission is to discover, nurture, and invest in new technologies, ideas, and projects with a focus on human sustainability. He is also the CEO of Solomei AI, the research company established by the group to explore and develop new AI-driven initiatives.

Francesco has served as iCEO at Brunello Cucinelli for more than a decade. Since joining the fashion house in April 2012, he has led all digital projects, including B2C and B2B e-commerce, cross-channel initiatives, and digital marketing strategy, while also overseeing ICT and innovation.

Before this role, he was Chief Executive Officer of e-Pitti.com, part of the Pitti Immagine Group, where he worked to transform the trade show industry through digital technologies. From 2003 to 2010, Francesco was Managing Director and partner at Kora, an international digital agency with offices in Milan, Paris, and Barcelona. Earlier, he served as Chief Executive Officer at Altoprofilo (2000–2003), as a management consultant at Bossard–Cap Gemini, and as a junior product manager at L'Oréal.

Francesco holds a degree in Economics and Business Administration from Bocconi University.

Roger Hu

President, APAC Alexander Wang

Currently President, APAC at Alexander Wang, Roger Hu is a senior luxury and fashion executive with more than 20 years of experience across Greater China and APAC, recognized for leading sizable, complex businesses through start-up, growth, plateau, turnaround, consolidation and integration phases. Before Alexander Wang, Roger spent a decade at Michael Kors with his last leadership role as President, APAC for 3 years. He had earlier leadership experiences at Saint Laurent and Cartier, covering corporate strategy, retail management, business development, consumer insight, social-media and e-commerce innovation. Roger started his career with 6-year business consulting experiences to support more than 50 leading multinational clients in China entry and development strategy. Witnessing the rise of China market, especially the evolution of luxury industry in the last 20 years, Roger has built extensive knowledges and owned deep insights of the customer behavior and market evolvement in the region.

Wassim Arabi

President, Retail Al Futtaim

Wassim Arabi serves as the President of Retail at Al-Futtaim, bringing over 35 years of international leadership experience across the retail, real estate, and F&B sectors. His career is de ned by a strong track record in delivering growth, both organic and through acquisitions, executing large-scale organizational transformations and expanding operations into new global markets. His leadership style is rooted in operational excellence, cross-functional collaboration, and long-term strategic vision. Over the course of his career, he has held executive and advisory roles across the Middle East, North Africa, Central Eastern Europe, Turkey, and Russia, building some of the region’s most successful and sustainable consumer businesses. Prior to joining Al-Futtaim, he held the role of Group CEO of Emaar Malls and Entertainment, where he oversaw more than 10 million square feet of leasable real estate, including agship assets such as Dubai Mall, At the Top Observatory of Burj Khalifa and Dubai Opera. Under his direction, the portfolio achieved record-high occupancy levels and double-digit nancial growth year-over-year. Earlier, he founded WA Consulting Co, advising regional companies on strategic development, operational performance, and market entry strategies. He spent over three decades at Alshaya Group, where he rose to become Chief Executive O cer. During this time, he led the transformation of Alshaya into one of the world’s most prominent franchise operators, managing over 90 global brands across 19 markets. His vision and negotiation skills were instrumental in securing rst-to-market franchise rights for brands such as H&M, Victoria’s Secret, Starbucks, Shake Shack, The Cheesecake Factory and many others. In addition to his executive leadership roles, he has served as a non-executive board member and committee chair for major real estate and retail organizations, including Alef Group, Sultan Centre, Mabani Real Estate, and Reem Mall. His governance experience spans across leasing strategies, audit, and compliance functions, bringing holistic commercial oversight to every role he undertakes. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and continues to champion customer- rst innovation, digital retail transformation, and sustainable community development across Al-Futtaim’s expansive regional footprint.

Leonie Foster

Chief Operating Officer Selfridges

Leonie is Chief Operating Officer at Selfridges, where she leads strategy and the digital, tech, supply chain, property and store design and experience teams. She has 25 years of experience in retail with brands such as Tesco, Dunelm and Sainsbury's. Leonie is expert in customer strategy development and delivery, insight and analytics, proposition development and digital transformation.

In 2023, Leonie led and implemented the launch of Selfridges Unlocked, the brand’s first open-to-all membership scheme which offers Keyholders exclusive perks such as first access to events, collaborations and in-store experiences.

She is also a Trustee for Shelter, the UK’s leading housing and homelessness charity and Non-Exec Director for the National Gallery.

Johanna Ratti

Chief Brand Officer Amouage

Since joining Amouage in 2024, Mrs. Ratti is responsible for the stewardship and global development of the Amouage brand, including Brand & Fragrance Development, Product Vision & Creation, Global Content Creation, and Retail Experience & Hospitality. With a special focus on elevating brand desirability worldwide, sharpening the consistency of brand expression across all consumer touchpoints, and translating the House’s heritage into a contemporary and globally relevant luxury narrative.

Mrs. Ratti has 15 years of international experience in luxury fragrance and brand management. Earlier in her career, she developed prestige fragrance portfolios at P&G Prestige Products, working across Dolce&Gabbana, Lacoste and Gucci fragrances. She subsequently joined Bulgari, where she progressed from Product Marketing Associate Manager, Perfumes, to Marketing Manager, Parfums, and ultimately Global Marketing Director, Bulgari Parfums, leading the global marketing strategy of one of the most iconic luxury fragrance houses in the world.

Thabet Musleh

Chief Retail & Hospitality Officer Qatar Airways

Thabet Musleh is Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer at Qatar Airways, overseeing the Group’s retail and food & beverage operations through Qatar Duty Free (QDF), as well as Internal Media Services, Dhiafatina Hotels, Qatar Airways’ global lounge portfolio, and Qatar Aircraft Catering Company.

Since joining Qatar Airways in 2015, Thabet has played an integral role in the development of Qatar Duty Free’s retail and hospitality strategy at Hamad International Airport. Under his leadership, QDF has expanded to a workforce of more than 4,000 employees and has supported the airport’s growth as a major international retail and dining hub.

During this period, Qatar Duty Free has recorded strong commercial performance, with a focus on experience-led hospitality, a broad mix of retail and dining concepts, and the introduction of new formats and partnerships across the airport’s commercial areas.

Thabet’s contribution to the travel retail sector has been recognised by industry peers, including being named among The Moodie Davitt Report’s People of the Year from 2021 to 2025. In 2023, he also received an Outstanding Contribution Award at the Frontier Awards, acknowledging his role in the continued evolution of Hamad International Airport’s retail and dining offer. Most recently, at the 2026 Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Awards, Thabet received the FAB Award for Extraordinary Innovation and Quality Enhancement in Airport Food & Beverage, further recognising his leadership in shaping and elevating the airport’s hospitality and dining experience.

Thabet brings more than twenty years of experience in travel retail. Before joining Qatar Airways, he spent ten years with World Duty Free Group, holding senior operational roles at Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted airports.

At Qatar Duty Free, he was appointed Head of Retail Operations in 2015, before being promoted to lead QDF in January 2018, and subsequently held the roles of Vice President Operations (2018), Vice President (2021), Senior Vice President (2023), before assuming his current position as Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer of Qatar Airways.

Mark Blundell

Chief Retail Officer Harrods

Mark is the Chief Retail Officer for Harrods, responsible for all Harrods' physical retail channels. His focus is on driving sales performance, service experience and operational standards in the Knightsbridge store and is also responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Airports and H Beauty stores across the country. Mark is also accountable for Private Shopping at The Penthouse and led the transformation of this service over the past 4 years, making it the elite service for our most discerning Harrods clients. Mark joined Harrods seven years ago as Head of Retail Transformation and in 2022, was promoted to Retail Director. He has held multiple senior leadership positions at the John Lewis Partnership and began his career in financial services working for Barclays. With over twenty-five years’ experience in Retail Management, Mark is a dynamic leader with a proven track record in managing teams to deliver outstanding retail operations and achieve strong commercial results. By combining leadership qualities, strategic capability, and operational expertise to modernise retail businesses; enhance customer experiences and drive profitability. In his role as Chief Retail Officer, Mark is a member of the Harrods Management Executive Committee, driving direction and leadership of the business.

Luigi Caterino

Founder & CEO The Longevity Suite

Luigi Caterino is a chemical engineer turned entrepreneur, with over 20 years in the pharmaceutical and health industry and a singular focus: extending how long and how well we live. In 2019 he founded The Longevity Suite, Europe's leading network of longevity and biohacking city clinics. Built on advanced diagnostics, evidence-based protocols and cutting-edge technology, TLS delivers personalized Health Optimization programs that target cellular health, metabolic balance and human performance. Today, with more than 40 locations across Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Turkey, Middle East and Asia, The Longevity Suite is turning longevity from a niche science into a daily practice and Luigi into one of the most influential voices in the global health optimization movement.

Sherif Guirgis

CEO Violet Grey

Sherif Guirgis is the Chairman and CEO of VIOLET GREY and Detox Market. He spearheaded the acquisition of VIOLET GREY from Farfetch in 2024 and gained control of Detox Market in 2025. The strategic combination of these retail channels represents a deliberate curation of industry leaders that share unwavering commitments to exceptional curation standards. While each brand maintains distinct focus areas and criteria, their unified dedication to empowering customer confidence through trust creates powerful synergies. This thoughtfully constructed portfolio delivers meaningful revenue diversification, enhanced operational capabilities, and expanded strategic opportunities, establishing the platform as a formidable force in the luxury beauty and wellness retail landscape.

With over 15 years of experience investing in the consumer, media and entertainment sectors, Sherif brings one of the strongest investment track records in the industry to his leadership of VIOLET GREY and Detox Market. Prior to acquiring VIOLET GREY, Sherif served as Managing Director at Main Street Advisors, where he advised and deployed capital on behalf of several prominent talents across sports, media and entertainment, and played a lead role in managing a $1.1 billion fund. His expertise in identifying and scaling consumer-focused brands made him uniquely positioned to recognize the strategic value in both VIOLET GREY and Detox Market.

Earlier in his career, Sherif was a private equity executive and Partner at Lion Capital, a $6 billion consumer-focused fund, where he honed his expertise in scaling premium consumer brands. He also held executive roles at Apollo Global Management and Credit Suisse, building a comprehensive foundation in both investment strategy and operational excellence across the consumer sector.

Philippe Guettat

CEO Bluebell Group

Philippe Guettat is the President & CEO of Bluebell Group, Asia’s leading brand partner, operator and distributor for luxury, premium, and lifestyle brands. He drives the Group's strategic vision and operations across nine key markets, partnering with over 150 international brands to accelerate growth through retail excellence, commercial distribution, and omnichannel innovation. With extensive expertise in brand building and regional expansion, Philippe works alongside global leadership teams to navigate Asia's dynamic consumer landscape and build long term enterprise value. Under his stewardship, Bluebell Group continues to solidify its position as the region’s trusted growth engine, building resilient, profitable brand businesses that actively shape Asian retail. Prior to leading Bluebell, Philippe built a distinguished 30-year international executive career at global spirits leader Pernod Ricard, where he held senior leadership positions including Chairman & CEO of The Absolut Company, Chairman & CEO of Martell Mumm Perrier Jouët, CEO of Pernod Ricard Asia, and Executive Vice-President of Global Brands. This extensive background gives him a rare dual perspective on global brand strategy and localised execution across Asia Pacific. Philippe holds a degree from HEC Paris and is a featured voice on luxury retail transformation, market acceleration, and cross-border commercial strategy.

Joan Fallière

Chief Product Officer SABYASACHI

Joan Fallière is Chief Product Officer at Sabyasachi, the Indian luxury house known for its distinctive creative vision, exceptional craftsmanship and celebration of Indian heritage.

With an international career in the luxury and fashion industry, Joan has developed extensive experience in product development, creative processes and craftsmanship. His professional journey has taken him across several countries, including France, Italy, Belgium, South Korea and India, giving him a broad understanding of different cultures, markets and approaches to luxury.

Throughout his career, Joan has worked at the intersection of creativity, technical expertise and business strategy. He has a particular interest in transforming creative ideas into exceptional products, while preserving the skills, traditions and attention to detail that define luxury.

He has also been closely connected to the world of European luxury, particularly through his experience with fashion houses such as Delvaux & Celine and his interest in the transmission of craftsmanship and technical know-how.

In 2023, Joan completed an Executive Master at École Polytechnique in France, further developing his understanding of innovation, new technologies and the challenges facing businesses in a changing world.

Today, at Sabyasachi, he contributes to the development of a unique luxury vision that brings together Indian heritage, creativity and international expertise.

His professional philosophy is built around three essential pillars: creativity, product development and craftsmanship, with a strong belief that the future of luxury lies in combining tradition with innovation.

Malik Abu-Ghazaleh

Head of Digital, Omnichannel & IT, MEA Region Tiffany & Co.

Malik Abu-Ghazaleh is an accomplished leader in the world of digital transformation and luxury retail. With a passion for optimizing customer experiences, creating engaging content, and addressing global behaviors, Malik has achieved remarkable success in highly competitive industries.

As the Global Chief Digital Officer at Tiffany & Co since February 2022, Malik plays a pivotal role in driving the brand's growth through omnichannel experiences. He leads the development and execution of the global strategy for the omnichannel client journey involving a large scale digital and data transformation to ensure seamless and personalized interactions across digital and physical touchpoints. Under his guidance, Tiffany & Co has seen significant enhancements in e-commerce, in-store digital tools, and data driven processes elevating the luxury retail experience for customers.

Prior to his current role, Malik served as the Lancôme Global Vice President, Digital at L'Oreal Luxe HQ in Paris, France. During his tenure, he successfully rebuilt the global flagship ecommerce sites with a customer-centric approach, driving brand engagement and record sales. His expertise in digital media, e-commerce, loyalty programs, and online content strategies contributed to the brand's global success.

Throughout his career, Malik has been a collaborative and results-oriented leader, working closely with cross-functional teams to align digital initiatives with overall brand strategies. His strong problem-solving skills and innovative online marketing approaches have earned him a reputation for driving growth and delivering exceptional results always putting the customer at the core of the experience.

Amit Keswani Manghnani

Chief Omnichannel & AI Officer Chalhoub Group

Amit is the Chief Omni-channel Officer at Chalhoub Group, the largest retailer and distributor of luxury brands in the Middle East and North Africa. He brings over 15 years of experience in Digital and Omni-channel retail to his current role, which includes Omni-channel Product, Marketing and Analytics, together with Group Loyalty (Muse and Elite) and One Studio initiatives. Amit joined Chalhoub Group in February 2023, after more than 10 years with two of the largest retailers in South East Asia, helping them evolve and adapt in the Digital Space by launching several Online initiatives and Loyalty Programs in the region, always through a customer focused approach for some of the top Global Fashion and F&B brands such as Zara, Sephora, Converse, Foot Locker and Starbucks. Amit holds Executive MBAs from ESADE Business School in Barcelona and Aalto University in Helsinki. Having spent his early years in Spain, Amit has gone on to experience different cultures through time spent living in Indonesia, Malaysia, India, the US, Europe and now, the Middle East. In his free time, Amit is an avid tennis player, and stays current on all things related to tech, sports, and men’s fashion.

Jessica Warch

Co-Founder & CEO Kimaï

Jessica Warch is the co-founder of Kimai, an innovative fine jewellery brand re-defining modern luxury by exclusively using lab-grown diamonds and recycled gold. Jessica grew up in Antwerp, surrounded by diamond traders in her family, and from a young age was drawn to the emotional value behind jewellery. But it was her frustration with an outdated industry and opaque, often unethical supply chains, which drew Jessica to partner with childhood friend and gemologist Sidney Neuhaus to build their own brand to provide transparency to the fine jewellery world, without compromising on design or luxury. Since launching Kimai in 2018, the brand has been worn by Meghan Markle, Emma Watson and Jessica Alba, is the first lab-grown diamond brand to be stocked by Net-a-Porter and a proud B-corp. Jessica Warch is featured in Forbes 30 under 30 and Kimai was named by Fast Company as one of the 10 most innovative companies in the world.

Nick Blunden

President The Business of Fashion

Nick Blunden is the President of The Business of Fashion, the leading provider of news, analysis, insight and advice to the global fashion, beauty and luxury industries. In this role he is responsible for the overall growth of the business including providing leadership to all of the commercial functions within the business including the sales, marketing, product, technology, strategy and finance functions.

Before joining The Business of Fashion Nick held a variety of senior positions at The Economist Group including Global Managing Director and Global Digital Publisher of The Economist. He was also Global Publisher of The Economist’s luxury lifestyle titles Intelligent Life and 1843 and the award-winning annual publication The World In.

Prior to The Economist Group Nick spent seven years as European CEO of Profero, at that time the world’s largest independent digital marketing agency, where he worked with clients such as Apple, BMW, Channel 4, HSBC and Pepsi.

Nick has a law degree from the London School of Economics and an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management in Sydney.

Frederic Court

Founder & Investor Felix Capital

Frederic Court is Founder and Investor at Felix Capital, a venture capital firm for the Creative Class, managing over $1.2B of venture and growth capital. Based in London, Felix operates at the intersection of technology and creativity, with an investment focus in Europe and North America. Felix Capital’s mission is to be a partner of choice for the best founders - creative innovators empowering new ways of living and working, in both the Consumer and B2B sectors. Illustrative investments for Felix Capital include: Farfetch, an online global fashion marketplace, exited via IPO and fully realised in 2019; Moonbug, a media platform for kids entertainment including “Cocomelon” and “Blippi”; Perk, a corporate travel platform leveraging AI; Mirakl, a SaaS platform for marketplaces; and Voy, a leading UK-based digital health-tech platform. Frederic founded Felix in 2015 and has worked in the technology industry for over 20 years. Prior to Felix, he was an entrepreneur and a General Partner at Advent Venture Partners. Since 2017, Frederic has been selected for the Forbes' Midas List Europe multiple times. In 2023, Felix Capital was named “VC Firm of the Year” at the GP Bullhound All Star Awards in the UK, and became one of the first venture capital firms in Europe to become a certified B Corp.

Richard Lems

Executive Director, Format & Design Rituals

Richard Lems is Executive Director Format & Design at Rituals Cosmetics, where he leads the global teams responsible for retail design, construction, workplace services, and beauty technology. In this role, he oversees the development and delivery of the physical brand experience across Rituals' international store network and workspaces, ensuring that every environment reflects the company's distinctive philosophy and customer promise.

Since joining Rituals in 2007, Richard has played a key role in supporting the company's growth from a fast-growing retailer into a leading international lifestyle brand. Throughout this journey, he has been instrumental in shaping the evolution of Rituals' retail concepts, driving innovation in store design, customer experience, and operational excellence.

With a strong belief that physical spaces remain a powerful driver of brand connection, Richard focuses on creating environments that combine commercial performance, customer experience, and meaningful storytelling. His work spans the intersection of design, technology, sustainability, and business strategy, helping Rituals continuously evolve its retail footprint while staying true to its brand identity.

As a leader, Richard is known for building multidisciplinary teams and fostering collaboration across creative, commercial, and operational functions. He is passionate about translating strategic ambitions into tangible customer experiences and creating future-ready retail concepts that support long-term growth.

Today, Richard continues to lead the development of Rituals' global physical presence, shaping stores, workplaces, and experiences that inspire customers and bring the Rituals philosophy of wellbeing and meaningful living to life around the world.

Delphine Lefay

Co-Founder & CEO OnTheList

Delphine Lefay Dultzin is a French entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of OnTheList, a pioneering members-only flash sale platform focused on sustainable retail and e-commerce in Asia and Middle-East. Born and raised in France, she studied at Paris Dauphine University and began her retail career in Paris, gaining experience with fashion brands.

In 2016, along with her business partner and husband Diego Dultzin Lacoste, Delphine founded OnTheList, with a vision to create a sustainable way for brands to manage past-season merchandise without jeopardizing their image. The platform's unique business model combines luxury, sustainability, and accessibility, reflecting Delphine's innovative approach to business.

Under her leadership, OnTheList has grown impressively, expanding its footprint in 11 markets in Asia and Middle-East, transforming the flash sale landscape in these markets.

A vocal advocate for sustainable fashion, Delphine is known for her commitment to reducing waste and promoting responsible consumption. Her work has not only made luxury more accessible but has also helped drive the fashion, beauty industries towards a more sustainable future.

Alberto Nicotra

Chief Digital Officer Fiorucci

Alberto Nicotra is Chief Digital Officer at Fiorucci, where he leads the brand’s digital strategy, driving global e-commerce, digital marketing, technology and innovation.

Previously, he spent five years at Versace as VP Global Digital Commerce, leading the transformation and international expansion of the brand’s digital business, strengthening its global e-commerce operations and omnichannel capabilities. Earlier in his career, Alberto held positions at YOOX NET-A-PORTER, developing extensive expertise in digital commerce and the luxury fashion industry.

With a strong background in digital transformation and luxury, Alberto focuses on leveraging technology, data and customer-centric strategies to drive business growth and shape the future of digital retail.

Aviad Klin

Co-Founder & CEO Retrofête

Aviad Klin serves as the Co-Founder and CEO of contemporary womenswear brand, Retrofête, alongside husband, Ohad Seroya. His duties include overseeing all aspects of business operations, brand development, and logistics.

Although Klin originally began his career as an engineer and later worked in finance, he was always involved in Seroya’s personal business ventures in retail. Naturally, it was inevitable for them to build a business together. After graduating with his MBA, he started working full-time with Seroya on private labels and special projects. After years of working in the industry and helping various brands grow, the duo recognized a gap in the market. Klin pushed for them to create a brand of their own DNA, which quickly led to the inception of Retrofête in 2018.

The now globally recognized New York-based label is known for its emotional and opulent ready-to-wear looks that make every girl feel confident, sexy, and radiant. Under Klin’s leadership, Retrofête has grown into a globally recognized contemporary fashion brand, continuing to expand its presence while staying true to its distinctive DNA and vision.

Sara Al-Rashed

Founder Asteri Beauty

Sara Alrashed is the Founder and CEO of Asteri Beauty, a Saudi-born beauty brand creating desert-proof, high-performance makeup. Launched in 2023, Asteri brings together product innovation, Arab identity and a commitment to building a community of women through its “Sisters Under the Stars” philosophy.

With a background spanning interior architecture, design, fashion and creative direction, Sara brings a distinctive perspective to beauty. She founded Asteri to address a gap she experienced firsthand: makeup that could withstand the region’s demanding climate while reflecting the people and culture it serves.

Under her leadership, Asteri has expanded its own retail network to 13 locations, alongside a growing online business and wholesale distribution through Ulta Beauty in the UAE. This omnichannel approach brings the brand to customers through immersive retail experiences, digital discovery and strategic partnerships.

Its clean, vegan and cruelty-free products combine performance with storytelling, drawing inspiration from the desert, Arabic calligraphy and the stars. Asteri is also B Corp certified.

Through Asteri, Sara is helping shape the conversation around A-Beauty—Arab Beauty—with the ambition of building a global brand rooted in Saudi Arabia.

Axel Winter

Chief Digital Officer Siam Piwat

Axel Winter is a technology executive at the forefront of luxury retail innovation. He is Group Chief Digital Officer of Siam Piwat — the visionary owner of iconic Thai destinations including ICONSIAM and Siam Paragon — and CEO of Xponential, the group's AI and innovation arm, where he leads the ONESIAM SuperApp and enterprise-wide AI transformation spanning personalization, AI companions, and intelligent customer experience. Previously, as Global CTO of Central Group, Axel drove one of Asia's largest retail technology transformations through its landmark IPO, and earlier served as Global Chief Architect for Standard Chartered Bank. He is also an Independent Non-Executive Director of GXBank, Malaysia's first digital bank, backed by Grab and SingTel.

Kevin Chalhoub

General Manager Etoile Group

Kevin Chalhoub is UAE Country Manager of Etoile Group and the founder of EV Lab, the Middle East’s first multi-brand electric mobility platform. Kevin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Imperial College London, followed by further study at École des Ponts et Chaussées. He began his career with an industrial development internship at Alstom and an associate consultant internship at Bain & Company, before completing a Master’s degree in Atmosphere and Clean Energy at Stanford University, and then spending a year as a Sales Engineer at NEXTracker in the solar sector in 2019. In 2020, Kevin founded EV Lab, launching first online before opening its flagship showroom and Retail-as-a-Service concept at One Central, Dubai World Trade Centre, in May 2024. EV Lab drives the transition to sustainable mobility through education and expertise. From January 2024 to May 2026, Kevin headed the Tumi brand across the Middle East at Chalhoub Group, including its retail network of 12 stores across the GCC. During this time, he grew the brand’s results by 20% in the region and led the renovation of its flagship Dubai Mall store alongside brand ambassador Lando Norris and the Tumi design team. Kevin has been UAE Country Manager of Etoile Group since 1 June 2026. Since his appointment, he has been leading the group’s retail operations, e-commerce development and business development in the UAE. Across his roles, Kevin has always remained committed to find climate friendly solutions to decarbonize the energy sector through his early role at NEXTracker, the transport sector with his EV Lab concept and now the fashion sector, pushing sustainable products at Etoile's home grown brand 'Etoile La Boutique' as well as in his previous role at the Tumi stores. Kevin has served on the board of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy since early 2025, and of CCI France UAE (the French Chamber of Commerce in the UAE) since 2024. He has also served as a board member of Chalhoub Group and Etoile Group since 2020, having previously been a non voting Observer on both family business boards from 2016 to 2019.

Pushkar Aditya

SVP, Technology Clovia (Reliance Retail)

Pushkar Aditya is Senior Vice President of Technology at Clovia Fashion, part of Reliance Retail, where he leads technology strategy and AI-led transformation for a consumer retail brand spanning D2C websites and mobile apps, marketplaces, B2B, and offline retail. With over 22 years of experience across retail, e-commerce, fintech, and insurance, he focuses on translating technology and data into better customer experiences, operational efficiency, and measurable commercial outcomes. At Clovia, Pushkar leads digital commerce platforms and the technology foundations supporting customer acquisition, product discovery, conversion, and post-purchase experience. His initiatives have reduced infrastructure costs by 50% and increased new-user sign-ups by 30% through a redesigned sign-in journey. He is advancing AI/ML initiatives in personalised search and recommendations, return-risk prediction and cash-on-delivery optimisation, AI-assisted test automation, and conversational analytics—making business data more actionable while safeguarding sensitive information. Before Clovia, Pushkar served as Chief Technology Officer at Mintifi, a supply-chain financing platform, where he led technology strategy, product engineering, and the AI/ML roadmap. He also helped present the platform’s technology vision and scalability to investors, contributing to a $40 million fundraise. Earlier, he held technology leadership roles at Easypolicy and Gulaq/Estee Advisors and worked at McKinsey & Company, where he developed pricing and promotion simulation platforms for retail clients. His experience also includes building a global B2C travel e-commerce platform. An alumnus of IIT Bombay, Pushkar brings a practical perspective to AI readiness: aligning data, connected systems, governance, and teams around clear business priorities so AI can move beyond pilots to deliver trusted, scalable commercial value.

Hasan Haider

Founder & Managing Partner Plus VC

Hasan Haider has over 15 years of experience investing in MENA startups. Hasan is the Founder and Managing Partner of +VC, the most active early stage venture capital firm in the MENA region. Hasan was previously Managing Partner, MENA at 500 Startups and led the firms growth in the MENA Region. Hasan has invested in over 280 startups in the region over the course of the last 5 years, including seed investments in companies like Calo, Floward, Eyewa, Thndr and Holo.

Prior to 500, Hasan was the co-founder and CEO of Tenmou, the first business angel’s organization in Bahrain and one of the first in the MENA region. Hasan’s work in developing angel investment has been picked up as a case study by the World Bank and Babson College. Previously, Hasan’s career was in finance and investment banking at Sico where he spent a number of years.

Morin Oluwole

Member, Board of Directors Breitling, Rituals & Biologique Recherche

Morin Oluwole is a global luxury executive and digital transformation expert with over 20 years of industry experience. She is the CEO & co-founder of Le Vitruve, a luxury, strategy & sustainability consultancy. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Breitling, Rituals Cosmetics, and Biologique Recherche. She also serves as a Product Innovation Council Member of Kempinski Hotels.

Previously, she was the Director & Global Head of Luxury at Meta, where spent over 17 years leading technical & business development strategy. She holds a BA & MA from Stanford University and an MPH in Business Management from Columbia University. She is a LinkedIn Top Voice and a multilingual thought leader. She has been widely featured in Vogue Business, Forbes, Business of Fashion and The New York Times and more. Morin is based between Paris and Dubai.

Douglas Harvey

VP, Digital & Omnichannel GMG

Douglas Harvey is Vice President - Digital & Omni at GMG, where he leads the company's digital, e-commerce and omnichannel strategy across a diverse portfolio of global brands. He is responsible for accelerating digital growth, strengthening e-commerce and marketplace performance, enhancing CRM and performance marketing, and creating seamless consumer experiences across GMG's markets in the Middle East and beyond.

Douglas has built a career at the intersection of marketing, digital transformation and commerce, helping some of the world's most recognised brands adapt to changing consumer behaviour and unlock sustainable growth.

Before joining GMG, Douglas served as Vice President of Marketing for Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein at PVH, where he modernised the marketing function, strengthened consumer engagement and helped return two global heritage brands to growth. Earlier, he led the development and expansion of the e-commerce business across Northern Europe, building omnichannel capabilities as consumer behaviour rapidly shifted online.

Prior to PVH, Douglas held senior leadership roles at Nike, where he led digital, retail and marketing through the acceleration of digital commerce, transforming how the brand engaged consumers while driving growth with some of Nike's largest strategic retail partners. He also held leadership positions at PepsiCo, further strengthening his expertise in brand building and consumer marketing.

Throughout his career, Douglas has been passionate about translating consumer insights into commercial impact. He believes lasting growth comes from anticipating where consumers are heading, inspiring organisations around what is possible, and building the capabilities needed to move with them.

Joanne Marie Bassoul

Director, The Greenhouse Chalhoub Group

Joanne is the Director of The Greenhouse by Chalhoub Group, the partner and creator of luxury experiences in the Middle East.

Joanne oversees the Greenhouse incubator and accelerator programs and extensive portfolio of startups created in-house through the startup studio. She ensures that all ventures are running smoothly and efficiently while having a focus on growth.

Her diverse experience includes playing a pivotal role as a finance business partner in the fashion and beauty industries identifying areas of improvement, implementing effective solutions, and managing financial and operational aspects of different types of organizations. More recently, she has been focusing on driving internal and external innovation initiatives for the Group through The Greenhouse.

She holds a finance degree from the American University of Beirut (AUB) as well as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification.

Beyond her professional career, Joanne finds fulfillment in her passion for food by trying different restaurants and culinary experiences, defining herself as the ‘ultimate foodie in the making’.

Sujata Assomull

Contributing Editor Vogue Business

London born and raised, Sujata Assomull was the founding editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar India. Having worked at ELLE India, Indian Express and Verve, she also has been the communications director of Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Jimmy Choo in India. She has worked as an image consultant for projects for Raymond Group and Lakme Beauty Salons.

Accomplished on both sides of the fashion divide, Sujata moved to Dubai five years ago as the consulting Fashion Editor of the region’s first English daily newspaper, Khaleej Times. Her family have been rooted in the city for two decades.

Currently, Sujata is the associate editor for Fashion Trust Arabia’s new digital platform, Pulse which launched early this year. She also is regular contributor to Vogue Business and is the contributing editor of Vogue India. Writing from newspaper ranging from Arab News to South China Morning Post, she is a global voice on both Arab and Indian fashion.

Moderating and speaking at fashion events in Dubai she is an advocate of mindful fashion, and also curates unique bespoke experiences for luxury and fashion brands. Sujata Assomull is a sought after moderator and speaker at many fashion events. Used to addressing a global and diverse audiences, having moderated and spoken at platforms in England, India and the Middle East. She has also been a guest lecturer at National Institute of Fashion in New Delhi, and ESMOD in Dubai as well as a guest on BBC World’s “Talking Business” segment on how Indian fashion is going global. And like most journalists has made the cross-over to webinars and virtual hosting have moderated panels for Amsterdam’s Fashion For Good and Italian Embassy in New Delhi.

Fall 2019 saw the launch of Sujata’s first book, “100 Iconic Bollywood Costumes” outlining a key visual history of Indian cinematic fashion.

Kirsty Keoghan

General Manager, Fashion & Luxury, Europe eBay

Kirsty Keoghan is eBay’s GM of European Fashion & Luxury , where she is responsible for
the company’s business across the UK, Germany, France and Italy.

Since joining eBay in 2011, Kirsty has led a number of initiatives, including the launch of
free fashion selling, the pivotal pre-loved fashion partnership with Love Island and the
successful launch of Authenticity Guarantee in the UK. In 2024, Kirsty stepped in to cover
GM of eBay UK.

She has been leading the charge in repositioning eBay as a destination for buying and
selling authentic high-end items. All of which has culminated in Kirsty being recognised in
Retail Week’s Future Leaders 2023 list and The Tech List 2024.

Kirsty is also an eBay seller herself, having joined the platform in 2007.

Prior to joining eBay, Kirsty had a decade-long career working at some of the UK’s biggest
fashion brands, including Arcadia Group, M&S, TK Maxx and Brand Alley.

Kirsty is mother to two fashion-obsessed kids, and loves to shop herself, investing in a mix
of new and pre-loved classic pieces.

Jamie Gill

Founder & CEO The Outsider Perspective

Jamie Gill is a business leader, advisor and entrepreneur operating across the global fashion and luxury sectors. With a multidisciplinary background spanning architecture, finance and executive leadership, he brings a commercially driven approach to innovation, growth and strategy. Starting his career at Deloitte in advisory and transaction services, alongside roles in investment and entrepreneurship, he has gone on to shape strategy and talent across the British fashion industry.

Gill is the founder of The Outsiders Perspective, a talent acquisition organisation dedicated to increasing representation of the global customer across fashion, beauty and luxury, working with leading global brands and industry partners. The Outsiders Perspective has placed highly skilled diverse candidates from alternate industries into leading brand partners including Chanel, Burberry, Lululemon, and Harrods.

Jamie established his namesake consultancy business, a strategic advisory practice supporting businesses in achieving sustainable growth, including high-level work on international fashion infrastructure and investment strategy.

Previously, Gill was Chief Executive of luxury womenswear brand ROKSANDA, where he transformed the business into a profitable, internationally scaled brand, overseeing growth, investment and sustainability strategy.

He serves as a Non-Executive Board Member of the British Fashion Council, where he has played a key role in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

Ronda Yasin

Founder Luxury Retail Academy

Ronda Yasin is a luxury retail executive with 20 years of experience building and leading high-performing teams at Christian Dior Couture across the GCC — where she designed the client experience frameworks, talent ecosystems, and service cultures that Paris HQ adopted as global standards.

She sits at the intersection of luxury retail excellence and people development — having spent her career asking the same question this panel will explore: what does it actually take to make a luxury team deliver an extraordinary client experience, consistently, at scale?

Today, through her consultancy Ronda Yasin Consulting, she works with luxury brands across the region on exactly that — and brings to this conversation both the practitioner's instinct and the strategist's lens on where AI fits into the future of luxury service.

Amrita Banta

Managing Director Agility Research & Strategy

Having carried out over 500 consulting engagements across various industry verticals and helping grow and develop premium businesses over a 25-year career, Amrita is a true expert on global affluent consumers, with a deep understanding of how to market to this coveted segment across Asia and around the world. She is a frequent speaker on everything premium and luxury on the BBC, CNBC, Bloomberg and other international media and at luxury and travel conferences the world over including the New York Times Luxury Conferences, International Travel and Luxury market , FT, Global Wellness Summit and many more. She is frequently quoted in leading publications and the press as a go to person on the affluent consumer’s trends for brands. She was nominated as one of the Luxury Woman Leaders globally and the only one from Asia in a list of the leading women in luxury.

Giles Smith

Founder Project Orange

Giles works at the intersection of technology, strategy and creativity, helping some of the world’s most recognised luxury and premium brands turn digital complexity into commercial growth. His experience spans iconic names including Burberry, Selfridges and Bonhams, where he has helped shape digital innovation, customer experience and technology transformation.

Operating at the intersection of global luxury brands, emerging technologies and leading systems integrators and agencies, Giles brings a distinctive and impartial perspective shaped by experience across all three sides of the industry.

He has enjoyed an extensive and successful career in senior in-house leadership roles, most notably as Head of Technology at Selfridges, where he was responsible for the strategy, engineering and delivery of technology across digital commerce, physical retail, loyalty and omnichannel experiences. Prior to this, he held a senior digital leadership role at Burberry and has driven technology innovation and transformation for major brands including John Lewis, Arcadia, Matalan, Unilever and Woolworths

A founding board member of the MACH Alliance and a judge at The People in Retail Awards, Giles is an established voice in the luxury, retail and technology sectors.

Carlota Rodben

Founder & CEO Beyond Luxury

Carlota Rodben is the Founder of Beyond Luxury Group, a strategic advisory and independent new media platform guiding organizations and decision-makers on the future of luxury, culture, and desire. Her perspective is shaped by her years inside the industry, including as Head of Innovation at CHANEL. She is the author of ‘Beyond Luxury: The Promise of Emotion’ (Manuscripts, 2023) and ‘Beauty As It Is’ (New Degree Press, 2019), and a contributing author to ‘Renaissance Luxe’ (Dunod, 2026). Carlota hosts the Beyond Luxury Podcast, ranked in the top 10% globally on Spotify, and writes the Beyond Luxury Substack, ranked #60 among business publications on the platform, where she examines the emotional, cultural, and technological forces reshaping the industry. She also contributes to Journal du Luxe and Jing Daily. Carlota has spoken at Goldman Sachs, Google, Vogue, L’Oréal Luxe, and Business of Fashion, and was named a Top Luxury Voice of 2026 by the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce. A former prima ballerina, she brings a practitioner’s understanding of discipline and craft to her work. She also teaches on executive and academic luxury programs at IE University, NYU, ESADE, Glion, and Porto Business School. Today she advises luxury Maisons, hospitality groups, and investment funds internationally on transformation and building future-facing brands.

Angela Farrugia

Founder BrandX Society

Angela founded Brand x Society in 2019, where she specialises “asset-light brand” IP strategies that unlock scalable growth, cultural relevance, and long-term value. She is retained by several of the world’s leading retailers to shape high-impact partnerships that drive brand elevation and commercial performance on a global scale.

A passionate advocate for emerging talent, Angela mentors’ emerging designers through Fashion Trust Arabia, Central Saint Martin’s MA fashion and Paul Smith Foundation. She serves as an advisor to the British Fashion Council, sits on several boards as a Non-Executive Director, and is Chair of the Sustainability Committee at Inspecs PLC, where she champions responsible growth and industry transformation.

Prior to this, Angela built and led the world’s most successful brand management and licensing company. Under her leadership, the business grew to generate over $12.4 billion in retail sales, with wholly owned offices across 18 countries and more than 600 standalone stores operating under its agreements. She successfully exited the business in 2019.

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to Global Business Development and Licensing, Angela was awarded an MBE in 2024.

Georgina Hills

Founder Room102

Georgina Hills is the founder of ROOM 102, a Dubai based leadership coaching and consultancy practice working with senior leaders and leadership teams across luxury, fashion and creative industries in the GCC and globally.

She brings more than 20 years of experience inside global luxury and fashion businesses across the UK and GCC. She held senior commercial roles at Chalhoub Group, Al Tayer Group, Chloé and Saint Laurent, and her buying portfolio included Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and Celine. Across these roles, she led commercial teams and drove business growth in fast moving, demanding markets.

After experiencing the cost of sustained high performance environments firsthand, she founded ROOM 102 to help individuals and organisations strengthen leadership capacity, resilience and effectiveness under pressure. Her proprietary INNER LEAD Method™ (AWARE, EMBODY, LEAD) is grounded in neuroscience, embodiment and behaviour change, helping leaders recognise how pressure shows up in the body and respond with clarity and presence.

Georgina is the first FEBI qualified leadership practitioner in the GCC, bringing neuroscience based insight into how leaders think, feel and make decisions. She also teaches Fashion Business at Istituto Marangoni Dubai and is a qualified yoga teacher.

Her work sits at the intersection of leadership performance, gender dynamics and the future of work in demanding environments. Based in Dubai for more than 17 years, she brings deep understanding of the regional luxury market to every engagement.

Ashu Dubey

Founder & CEO Alhena AI

Ashu Dubey has spent his career building consumer products that shape how people connect, discover, and buy online. Before Alhena, he spent five years on LinkedIn’s growth team, where he helped accelerate the network’s user growth and took LinkedIn Events from concept to market. Earlier, he co-founded 12 Labs, a venture-backed digital health company, where he built AI-powered personalized health products. Its consumer apps were downloaded more than 500,000 times.

Today, Ashu is co-founder and CEO of Alhena AI, an agentic commerce platform helping premium and luxury brands create better shopping experiences, from product discovery through post-purchase support. Alhena works with brands including Armani, Frette, Victoria Beckham, and Tatcha. Its deployments have produced measurable commercial results: Victoria Beckham reported a 20% increase in average order value and a 10% lift in online sales revenue, while Tatcha’s AI shopping experience influenced 11.4% of total site revenue.

Across more than 15 years in technology, Ashu has kept a practical approach to AI: it matters when it improves the customer experience and creates a business result that can be measured. He holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.

At Shoptalk Luxe, Ashu will showcase Alhena AI on stage and share what these deployments reveal about product discovery and digital clienteling in luxury retail.

Khatija Paruk Haque

Chief Economist, EEMEA Mastercard Economics Institute

As Chief Economist, Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA) Khatija's responsibilities include development and delivery of differentiated economic, financial, policy and macroeconomic thought leadership for customers, Mastercard and public policy. Khatija joins Mastercard from Emirates NBD, where she served as Chief Economist and Head Of Research. A founding member Of the research team at the bank, she played a key role in developing macroeconomic insights on the GCC and the broader MENA region. With over 20 years Of experience as an emerging markets economist across three continents, Khatija brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team. Prior to her move to Dubai, she was an economist at Deutsche Bank in London, focusing on Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Khatija is renowned for her ability to make complex economic concepts accessible and relevant, and she is a sought-after commentator in both local and international media. Her insights are frequently featured on platforms such as Bloomberg TV and Asharq News, as well as in various print and online publications.

Josh Warwick

Co Founder & CEO Wassist

Josh is the founder of Wassist, the platform that puts AI-powered sales agents inside WhatsApp, turning the world's most personal messaging channel into a revenue channel. Wassist enables brands to sell, serve, and recover lost revenue through genuinely conversational commerce, bringing the one-to-one attentiveness of luxury clienteling to digital at scale. The company is backed by Playfair Capital alongside angels from Meta, WhatsApp, and Monzo.

A founder with fifteen years across e-commerce, insurance, and real estate, Josh previously co-founded Ark, a UK property platform serving over 50,000 homes. His career began in software engineering, building zero to one products at consultancy Theodo UK, with clients including Admiral, BNP Paribas and Cleo. He's a frequent voice on agentic commerce and the future of messaging-first retail, and an open-source maintainer in the MCP ecosystem. He holds a Masters Degree in Computer Science from the University of Oxford and is currently based in London.

Valerie Leblond

Co-Founder & CEO BLNG AI

Valérie Leblond is the co-founder and CEO of BLNG, an AI creative suite built for the jewelry and luxury industry. BLNG helps designers, ateliers, and retailers move from sketch to polished visual content, with technology tuned to the materials, craftsmanship, and precision of fine jewelry. Under her leadership, BLNG has moved into live production with leading houses including Tiffany & Co. and David Yurman, and was selected for the LVMH Scale program.

Valérie has spent her career at the intersection of design, engineering, and emerging technology. She spent a decade at Cirque du Soleil, helping bring major productions in Las Vegas and Tokyo from concept to opening night. She later spent ten years as a Director at UCLA, where she led IDEAS, a cross-disciplinary innovation platform spanning AI, robotics, immersive media, and design.

That trajectory shapes how she is building BLNG today: bringing artists and engineers together to create technology that supports creative authorship and craftsmanship. Valérie works between Los Angeles and Paris and remains closely involved with clients, from independent designers to global luxury maisons.

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