Please find below the list of the confirmed speakers, in alphabetical order:
Sheikh Majed Al Sabah
Chairman of Villa Moda - Kuwait
Sheikh Majed Al Sabah, 40, defies categorization: he is a visionary retailer, a fashion aficionado, a collector of contemporary art and design and a nephew of the Emir of Kuwait. When he launched his luxury fashion emporium, Villa Moda, in Kuwait in 2002, fashion opinion-formers were taken aback to discover a concept that rivaled anything that could be found in the ‘fashion capitals’. In the intervening years Sheikh Al-Sabah has opened further stores, each distinct in terms of its location, interiors and retail offering. In 2006 he opened a store in the heart of the old souk in Damascus. Further stores are planned in Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait in 2008 and Qatar in 2009, bringing the overall Villa Moda offering to a total of ten stores.
Chairman of Villa Moda - Kuwait
Sheikh Majed Al Sabah, 40, defies categorization: he is a visionary retailer, a fashion aficionado, a collector of contemporary art and design and a nephew of the Emir of Kuwait. When he launched his luxury fashion emporium, Villa Moda, in Kuwait in 2002, fashion opinion-formers were taken aback to discover a concept that rivaled anything that could be found in the ‘fashion capitals’. In the intervening years Sheikh Al-Sabah has opened further stores, each distinct in terms of its location, interiors and retail offering. In 2006 he opened a store in the heart of the old souk in Damascus. Further stores are planned in Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait in 2008 and Qatar in 2009, bringing the overall Villa Moda offering to a total of ten stores.
Mr Bernie Brookes
CEO of Myer - Australia
Mr Brookes, 48, is a 30-year retail specialist with significant retail expertise. His experience includes leading a multi-divisional organisation during significant periods of change and re-engineering. Having worked in three states across all major divisions, he has an excellent grasp of a variety of areas of senior management. His assignments in India and China provided him also with a significant international experience. His strengths include expertise in business management displaying energetic and self-confidence with the ability to find solutions to complex situations, through analytical, conceptual and entrepreneurial skills. Mr Brookes was a chief engineer of Woolworth’s Project Refresh and became Director of Marketing for the group. Mr Brookes has been the CEO of Myer Limited since 2 June 2006, managing the carve out of Myer from Coles Group and successfully rebuilding the Myer business under new owners.
CEO of Myer - Australia
Mr Brookes, 48, is a 30-year retail specialist with significant retail expertise. His experience includes leading a multi-divisional organisation during significant periods of change and re-engineering. Having worked in three states across all major divisions, he has an excellent grasp of a variety of areas of senior management. His assignments in India and China provided him also with a significant international experience. His strengths include expertise in business management displaying energetic and self-confidence with the ability to find solutions to complex situations, through analytical, conceptual and entrepreneurial skills. Mr Brookes was a chief engineer of Woolworth’s Project Refresh and became Director of Marketing for the group. Mr Brookes has been the CEO of Myer Limited since 2 June 2006, managing the carve out of Myer from Coles Group and successfully rebuilding the Myer business under new owners.
Mr Alfred Cheng
Managing Director of Parkson Retail Group - China
Mr Cheng, aged 43, is the Managing Director of Parkson Retail Group. He graduated from the University of San Francisco with a BS degree and a MBA in 1984. Mr Cheng has been with the Group since its inception and was a member of the founding management team in 1987. He has been instrumental in developing the Parkson franchise in Malaysia and China and more recently, was responsible for its push into Indochina and Vietnam. He has been the Head of Parkson Retail since 1996 and the main driver behind its rapid growth in the last ten years. Mr. Cheng is actively involved in the Malaysian and PRC retail scenes and was chairman of the Malaysia Retailers Association in 1996. He was a member of the Executive Board of IGDS in 1998 and 1999.
Managing Director of Parkson Retail Group - China
Mr Cheng, aged 43, is the Managing Director of Parkson Retail Group. He graduated from the University of San Francisco with a BS degree and a MBA in 1984. Mr Cheng has been with the Group since its inception and was a member of the founding management team in 1987. He has been instrumental in developing the Parkson franchise in Malaysia and China and more recently, was responsible for its push into Indochina and Vietnam. He has been the Head of Parkson Retail since 1996 and the main driver behind its rapid growth in the last ten years. Mr. Cheng is actively involved in the Malaysian and PRC retail scenes and was chairman of the Malaysia Retailers Association in 1996. He was a member of the Executive Board of IGDS in 1998 and 1999.
Ms Yuwadee Chirathivat
CEO of Central Department Stores – Thailand
Ms Chirathivat graduated from Thammasat University, Thailand before pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Journalism at Northwestern University, Illinois, USA. She worked for Ogilvy & Mather in New York in Media planning and Client Services before joining Ogilvy & Mather in Thailand as Account Director for two years. Ms Chirathivat then joined Central Department Stores, and was appointed to various in both Operations and Merchandising. In the 1990s, she was promoted to Vice President - Merchandising. Her career flourished with her promotion as Senior Vice President – Merchandising. In 1996, Yuwadee was appointed the President of Central Department Stores. Ms Chirathivat currently manages 15 Central Department Stores throughout Thailand and has been instrumental in its continued growth until the present day.
CEO of Central Department Stores – Thailand
Ms Chirathivat graduated from Thammasat University, Thailand before pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Journalism at Northwestern University, Illinois, USA. She worked for Ogilvy & Mather in New York in Media planning and Client Services before joining Ogilvy & Mather in Thailand as Account Director for two years. Ms Chirathivat then joined Central Department Stores, and was appointed to various in both Operations and Merchandising. In the 1990s, she was promoted to Vice President - Merchandising. Her career flourished with her promotion as Senior Vice President – Merchandising. In 1996, Yuwadee was appointed the President of Central Department Stores. Ms Chirathivat currently manages 15 Central Department Stores throughout Thailand and has been instrumental in its continued growth until the present day.
Mr Khaled Jamil
Member of the Board and CEO of JamilCo Zao - Russia
Mr Jamil, 48, graduated from I.A.E. University of Lyon in 1984 and from D.E.A. (Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Lyon) in 1985. From 1987 to 1991, he worked as a General Manager of Golden Star Trading, a representative office dealing with the trading of fabrics and perfumes. Since 1991 he has been the President of JamilCo Group of companies, opening stores in major Russian cities. JamilCo is also the Russian representative of major brands such as Burberry, Chaumet, DeBeers, Dormeuil, Hermes, J.M. Weston, John Lobb, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sonia Rykiel, Wolford. Syrian and Russian citizen, Mr Jamil is married and has three children.
Member of the Board and CEO of JamilCo Zao - Russia
Mr Jamil, 48, graduated from I.A.E. University of Lyon in 1984 and from D.E.A. (Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Lyon) in 1985. From 1987 to 1991, he worked as a General Manager of Golden Star Trading, a representative office dealing with the trading of fabrics and perfumes. Since 1991 he has been the President of JamilCo Group of companies, opening stores in major Russian cities. JamilCo is also the Russian representative of major brands such as Burberry, Chaumet, DeBeers, Dormeuil, Hermes, J.M. Weston, John Lobb, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sonia Rykiel, Wolford. Syrian and Russian citizen, Mr Jamil is married and has three children.
Mr Andrew Jennings
Group Managing Director of Woolworths – South Africa
Mr Jennings is an accomplished retail executive with more than 35 years of achievement. His retail career began on Oxford Street in London with the Debenham organization and has included senior positions at premium department an specialty stores such as Stuttafords and Greatermans - South Africa, Harrods Ltd - London, House of Fraser - UK, Brown Thomas - Southern Ireland, Holt Renfrew - Canada, Saks Fifth Avenue - New York and most recently Group Managing Director of Woolworth’s (Pty) Ltd - Cape Town, South Africa. He joined Woolworths in December 2006. As Group Managing Director he is responsible for stores (360), Central Buying and Merchandising, Creative and Marketing, Store Design, Real Estate, World Wide Franchises and Woolworths.com. Mr Jennings currently resides in Cape Town with his wife Karen.
Group Managing Director of Woolworths – South Africa
Mr Jennings is an accomplished retail executive with more than 35 years of achievement. His retail career began on Oxford Street in London with the Debenham organization and has included senior positions at premium department an specialty stores such as Stuttafords and Greatermans - South Africa, Harrods Ltd - London, House of Fraser - UK, Brown Thomas - Southern Ireland, Holt Renfrew - Canada, Saks Fifth Avenue - New York and most recently Group Managing Director of Woolworth’s (Pty) Ltd - Cape Town, South Africa. He joined Woolworths in December 2006. As Group Managing Director he is responsible for stores (360), Central Buying and Merchandising, Creative and Marketing, Store Design, Real Estate, World Wide Franchises and Woolworths.com. Mr Jennings currently resides in Cape Town with his wife Karen.
Mr Paul Kelly
Chief Executive of Selfridges – United Kingdom
Mr Kelly became Chief Executive of Selfridges & Co Limited and the Brown Thomas Group Limited in February 2004. Prior to joining Selfridges, Mr Kelly has been Managing Director of the Brown Thomas Group for ten years, where he presided over a period of substantial growth to build the Brown Thomas department store brand into the premier fashion retailer in Ireland. In addition to his work at Brown Thomas stores, Paul was responsible for launching the youth-oriented fashion store, BT2 in Dublin as well as overseeing the expansion of the A-Wear brand across Ireland. As Chief Executive of Selfridges, Paul’s role is to drive Selfridge’s strategy to lead large specialty store retailing in the UK.
Chief Executive of Selfridges – United Kingdom
Mr Kelly became Chief Executive of Selfridges & Co Limited and the Brown Thomas Group Limited in February 2004. Prior to joining Selfridges, Mr Kelly has been Managing Director of the Brown Thomas Group for ten years, where he presided over a period of substantial growth to build the Brown Thomas department store brand into the premier fashion retailer in Ireland. In addition to his work at Brown Thomas stores, Paul was responsible for launching the youth-oriented fashion store, BT2 in Dublin as well as overseeing the expansion of the A-Wear brand across Ireland. As Chief Executive of Selfridges, Paul’s role is to drive Selfridge’s strategy to lead large specialty store retailing in the UK.
Ms Caryn Lerner
President & C.E.O of Holt Renfrew - Canada
Ms Lerner was appointed President of Holt Renfrew & Co, Ltd, in September 2004. She is the chief architect of Holt Renfrew’s enhanced business strategy, which has led the company to record sales and revenues since her tenure began.
An industry veteran, Ms Lerner joined Holt Renfrew with diverse experience managing department stores, specialty retail, wholesale and direct to consumer businesses. Prior to Holt Renfrew, Ms. Lerner most recently served as President and Chief Marketing Officer of ESCADA (USA) Inc. She also held senior management positions at leading retail organizations including QVC Networks (The Shopping Channel), Jones New York, Barney’s New York and Bloomingdale’s. A graduate of New York University, Ms. Lerner lives in Toronto with her husband and two children.
President & C.E.O of Holt Renfrew - Canada
Ms Lerner was appointed President of Holt Renfrew & Co, Ltd, in September 2004. She is the chief architect of Holt Renfrew’s enhanced business strategy, which has led the company to record sales and revenues since her tenure began.
An industry veteran, Ms Lerner joined Holt Renfrew with diverse experience managing department stores, specialty retail, wholesale and direct to consumer businesses. Prior to Holt Renfrew, Ms. Lerner most recently served as President and Chief Marketing Officer of ESCADA (USA) Inc. She also held senior management positions at leading retail organizations including QVC Networks (The Shopping Channel), Jones New York, Barney’s New York and Bloomingdale’s. A graduate of New York University, Ms. Lerner lives in Toronto with her husband and two children.
Mr Terry J. Lundgren
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Macy’s Inc – USA
Mr Lundgren assumed his current titles in January 2004. Prior to this, he served as President & Chief Operating Officer in 2003 and President & Chief Merchandising Officer in 1997.
Mr Lungren began his retail career in 1975 as a trainee with Bullock’s, a Los Angeles-based division of Federated, where he held positions of increasing responsibility over the next decade. In 1987 he was named President and CEO of Bullocks Wilshire. He left Federated after its acquisitions by Campeau in 1988 and joined Neiman Marcus where he was named Chairman and CEO. He returned to Federated in 1994 and was appointed Chairman and CEO of Federated Merchandising Group. Through significant acquisitions over the following 18-months, Federated more than double its size. Mr Lundgren was credited with effectively easing the merger of Federated and Macy’s merchandising functions.
Mr Lundgren is a graduate of the University of Arizona and has been presented with several business recognition awards. He has also served as honoree for numerous retail industry organizations and charities. He is married and has two daughters.
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Macy’s Inc – USA
Mr Lundgren assumed his current titles in January 2004. Prior to this, he served as President & Chief Operating Officer in 2003 and President & Chief Merchandising Officer in 1997.
Mr Lungren began his retail career in 1975 as a trainee with Bullock’s, a Los Angeles-based division of Federated, where he held positions of increasing responsibility over the next decade. In 1987 he was named President and CEO of Bullocks Wilshire. He left Federated after its acquisitions by Campeau in 1988 and joined Neiman Marcus where he was named Chairman and CEO. He returned to Federated in 1994 and was appointed Chairman and CEO of Federated Merchandising Group. Through significant acquisitions over the following 18-months, Federated more than double its size. Mr Lundgren was credited with effectively easing the merger of Federated and Macy’s merchandising functions.
Mr Lundgren is a graduate of the University of Arizona and has been presented with several business recognition awards. He has also served as honoree for numerous retail industry organizations and charities. He is married and has two daughters.
Prof Dr Helmut Merkel
Executive Board Director of Arcandor AG – Germany; President of IGDS
Prof Merkel has been a member of the Board of Arcandor (former KarstadtQuelle AG) since 2000, in charge of IT, logistics and Group Buying.
Prior to joining Arcandor, Prof Merkel built during 20 years a unique experience in the management of consulting and retail companies: in 1986 he was named member of the Executive Board of ADV/ORGA (SEMA Group); in 1989 he became CEO of DAT AG – a major German Consulting and IT services company; in 1993 he joined Deichmann Group as Managing Director and Executive Board member in charge of the International Business in Europe and the US and in 1997 he founded a private consulting and logistics company.
In 2000, he joined Karstadt, where he played a key role in the restructuration of the company between 2003 and 2006. Prof Merkel is also the President of IGDS, President of the National German Retail Association and Member of the Board of the National Employers Association.
Prof Merkel holds a Phd of the Mannheim University and since 1990 is a well renowned professor in Business Administration and Computer Sciences of his Alma Mater. Prof Merkel is married and has four children.
Executive Board Director of Arcandor AG – Germany; President of IGDS
Prof Merkel has been a member of the Board of Arcandor (former KarstadtQuelle AG) since 2000, in charge of IT, logistics and Group Buying.
Prior to joining Arcandor, Prof Merkel built during 20 years a unique experience in the management of consulting and retail companies: in 1986 he was named member of the Executive Board of ADV/ORGA (SEMA Group); in 1989 he became CEO of DAT AG – a major German Consulting and IT services company; in 1993 he joined Deichmann Group as Managing Director and Executive Board member in charge of the International Business in Europe and the US and in 1997 he founded a private consulting and logistics company.
In 2000, he joined Karstadt, where he played a key role in the restructuration of the company between 2003 and 2006. Prof Merkel is also the President of IGDS, President of the National German Retail Association and Member of the Board of the National Employers Association.
Prof Merkel holds a Phd of the Mannheim University and since 1990 is a well renowned professor in Business Administration and Computer Sciences of his Alma Mater. Prof Merkel is married and has four children.
Mr B. S. Nagesh
Managing Director of Shopper’s Stop - India
Mr Nagesh, 48, has been with Shopper’s Stop Ltd right from its inception in 1991. Under his leadership & guidance, Shoppers Stop has grown from a one-store set-up in Mumbai to a group of companies operating 136 stores pan India under multiple formats.
During the past 16 years, Mr Nagesh has been instrumental in buying the Crossword chain of bookstores, setting up of home store called HomeStop as well as food & beverages chain under the brand name BRIO and Desi Café and the country’s first biggest hypermarket - HyperCITY. He has also forge strategic alliances with leading global organizations for the company’s new initiatives. Voted by Business India as one of the top 50 managers in India who will influence the Indian business scenario in the 21st century and today, he is recognized as the pioneer of the retail boom in India.
Managing Director of Shopper’s Stop - India
Mr Nagesh, 48, has been with Shopper’s Stop Ltd right from its inception in 1991. Under his leadership & guidance, Shoppers Stop has grown from a one-store set-up in Mumbai to a group of companies operating 136 stores pan India under multiple formats.
During the past 16 years, Mr Nagesh has been instrumental in buying the Crossword chain of bookstores, setting up of home store called HomeStop as well as food & beverages chain under the brand name BRIO and Desi Café and the country’s first biggest hypermarket - HyperCITY. He has also forge strategic alliances with leading global organizations for the company’s new initiatives. Voted by Business India as one of the top 50 managers in India who will influence the Indian business scenario in the 21st century and today, he is recognized as the pioneer of the retail boom in India.
Mr Stephen I. Sadove
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saks Fifth Avenue - USA
In 2002, Mr Sadove joined the management team of Saks Incorporated as Vice Chairman. Since May 2007 he is assuming his current position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saks Incorporated.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr Sadove built a distinguished marketing and consumer products career spanning over 25 years. Between 1975 and 1991, he held various positions of increasing responsibility with General Foods USA, including Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Desserts Division. Mr Sadove then joined Bristol-Myers Squibb Company where he held various key positions: President of Clairol in 1994, President of Bristol-Myers Squibb Worldwide Beauty Care in 1996 and President of Bristol-Myers Squibb Worldwide Beauty Care and Nutritionals in 2007.
Mr Sadove is a graduate of Hamilton College and holds an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School. He is married to Karin and has three children.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saks Fifth Avenue - USA
In 2002, Mr Sadove joined the management team of Saks Incorporated as Vice Chairman. Since May 2007 he is assuming his current position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saks Incorporated.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr Sadove built a distinguished marketing and consumer products career spanning over 25 years. Between 1975 and 1991, he held various positions of increasing responsibility with General Foods USA, including Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Desserts Division. Mr Sadove then joined Bristol-Myers Squibb Company where he held various key positions: President of Clairol in 1994, President of Bristol-Myers Squibb Worldwide Beauty Care in 1996 and President of Bristol-Myers Squibb Worldwide Beauty Care and Nutritionals in 2007.
Mr Sadove is a graduate of Hamilton College and holds an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School. He is married to Karin and has three children.
Mr Niall Trafford
Executive for Store Design and Specification of Marks & Spencer – United Kingdom
Mr Trafford is directing the team responsible for the development of the retail environment. In his role he has successfully led the team in continuing to develop the store proposition and winning a number of awards. He first joined Marks & Spencer in 1986, and returned to the company in 2001 after a period of time at Accenture to lead the project that was responsible for determining Marks and Spencer’s current store proposition and design. Mr Trafford has held a number of senior positions within M&S, covering a number of disciplines including HR, training and retail.
Executive for Store Design and Specification of Marks & Spencer – United Kingdom
Mr Trafford is directing the team responsible for the development of the retail environment. In his role he has successfully led the team in continuing to develop the store proposition and winning a number of awards. He first joined Marks & Spencer in 1986, and returned to the company in 2001 after a period of time at Accenture to lead the project that was responsible for determining Marks and Spencer’s current store proposition and design. Mr Trafford has held a number of senior positions within M&S, covering a number of disciplines including HR, training and retail.
Mr Patrice Wagner
Managing Director of KaDeWe – Germany
Mr Wagner is a recognized retail specialist with more than 18 years experience within key German department stores. He started his carrier in 1990 with Breuninger where he held positions of increasing responsibilities and he was named Managing Director of the Karlsruhe store in 1997. In 1998, Mr Wagner joined Galeries Lafayettes in Berlin as Managing Director of the store, where he successfully redeveloped the activity. He left the company in 2002 to become the Managing Director of the iconic Berlin department store KaDeWe, belonging to Karstadt. Mr Wagner is married and has two children.
Managing Director of KaDeWe – Germany
Mr Wagner is a recognized retail specialist with more than 18 years experience within key German department stores. He started his carrier in 1990 with Breuninger where he held positions of increasing responsibilities and he was named Managing Director of the Karlsruhe store in 1997. In 1998, Mr Wagner joined Galeries Lafayettes in Berlin as Managing Director of the store, where he successfully redeveloped the activity. He left the company in 2002 to become the Managing Director of the iconic Berlin department store KaDeWe, belonging to Karstadt. Mr Wagner is married and has two children.
