Chris lived and worked in China for more than 25 years, where his career has focused on intellectual property management, enforcement, monetisation and commercialisation.
Chris is co-creator of CIELA, a Chinese IP litigation database (www.ciela.cn) which is regularly used by IP professionals and data providers, and Intangio (www.intang.io), an automated valuation tool for patent auctions in China.
As well as IP transactions, Chris has spearheaded a number of high-value IP litigation cases and licensing campaigns.
Chris speaks and reads Chinese.

Sam is the CCO of Samarkand Global, an eCommerce distribution expert and consumer brand owner focussed on the China market. With over 14 years of marketing experience, he has spent the last 6 years building brands like ilapothecary, 111SKIN, MZ Skin and TEMPLESPA in China. Leading Samarkand's Brand Management and Business Development teams across Shanghai and London, Sam specializes in China market entry, focusing on social commerce, livestreaming, and multi-channel distribution.

Graduated with a master's degree, is the senior RA manager of MK Cosmetics. She is an experienced speaker regarding cosmetic registration & notification and regulatory compliance in China and has been working with multiple brands in these fields.

Charlie Gu is a cross-cultural marketing strategist with over 15 years of professional expertise in advising brands on their China market strategy. As the Deputy Publisher at Jing Daily, the leading authority on luxury consumer culture in the China market, Charlie oversees the development and execution of partnership opportunities with key industry stakeholders. Additionally, he is the president of Jing Intelligence, a business unit within Jing Daily that provides comprehensive China market research, insights, and strategic advisory. Prior to joining Jing Daily, Charlie founded Kollective Influence, a cross-border marketing agency that advises beauty and fashion brands on their China market and Chinese consumer strategy. Charlie's insights and perspectives on Chinese market development and cross-border influencer collaborations have been frequently quoted by news media outlets. His passion for cross-cultural communication and understanding enables him to develop effective and culturally relevant strategies that help brands succeed in the China market.

Ms April Guo works in CIRS Group for more than 13 years and leads the personal and home care team to assist global cosmetic companies and ingredient suppliers in regulatory compliance each year. Ms April Guo maintains good cooperation with cosmetic associations and commerce agencies in countries such as the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, and South Korea, and is regularly invited to participate in cosmetics regulatory seminars around the world, providing training for international cosmetics companies on Chinese cosmetics regulations.

Renee is the Co-Author of best-selling book Next Generation Retail: How to Use Technology to Innovate for the Future which takes a deep dive into the technologies impacting retail and e-commerce today, including AI, retail media, social commerce, Web3, sustainability, supply chain, loyalty and more. She was named one of the Top 100 Retail Experts in the world by ReThink Retail in 2024.

Renee is based in Portugal and is the Co-Founder of CLA, which counsels luxury and consumer brands on international expansion and strategy, ranging from market entry to consumer research and digital engagement. The company has a deep background with the China market and Asia.

Renee has worked as a brand owner, retail operator, and branding and market entry strategist for the last 25 years. Renee was previously COO of the Shanghai-based streetwear brand, Eno, which was named one of the ten Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company. She was a Director at Ogilvy & Mather, and was an equity research associate at Putnam Investments covering the consumer and retail sector.
Renee holds a BBA from Emory University’s Goizueta School of Business, and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. She holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, and was named one of CNN’s “Top 20 People to Watch in Shanghai” in 2010. Renee serves on the Asia Pacific Board of Advisors for Duke University, is a board member of the Dual Immersion Foundation and a Member of the Virtual Advisory Board.

Tianran is the VP of Strategy & Corporate Development at Profex, a leading Dermatology and Medical Aesthetics company in China. Profex licenses, acquires, develops, and markets a range of Dermatology, Medical Aesthetics, and skincare-related products for the Chinese market and beyond. With 15 years of experience in consumer products, Tianran oversees Profex's external investments and financing, drives the company's overall operational strategy, and manages external cooperation and joint ventures.

Before joining Profex, Tianran served as senior investment director in the consumer sector at Fosun's China Momentum Fund. He began his career in France, working at PwC and Cambon Partners, a boutique French investment bank.

Sunny boasts over 10 years of experience in the high-end niche beauty and personal care market, offering expertise in brand digital retail consulting, e-commerce operation, and online platform distribution. She has a proven track record of successfully building and launching multiple high-end niche brands, leading them to acquisition and market dominance. Notably, she managed Byredo, Laundress, Bondi Wash, and Aesop while they were still cross border brands. Additionally, Sunny has served as a long-time account leader for Elemis and Grown Alchemist.

Mr. Núñez involves navigating global regulations and fostering sustainability initiatives within the cosmetics sector, he committed to promoting good regulation and responsible practices within the cosmetics industry worldwide. At CTPA, he has represented the industry towards the UK government in Free Trade Negotiations, as well as participating in the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR) and supporting the development of regulation through the process of the UK leaving the European Union.

Chloé Reuter is an inspiring entrepreneur who believes in the power of kindness and diversity as essential elements for building successful businesses. With over 20 years of experience living and working in Shanghai, she has worked with many of the world’s leading luxury brands, helping them to understand and thrive in China and Asia. She founded Reuter Communications in 2010, a specialized luxury communications agency. It became one of the leading agencies in China and was acquired by Gusto Collective in 2020, a Branding and Technology holding group. Chloé exited the business in 2024.
Chloé is based (mostly!) in London.

Relocated from Shanghai to London in 2019, Vanessa is a China market expert specialising in luxury fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. She led the London office of Gusto Luxe, an integrated communications agency, supporting UK and European clients engage with Chinese consumers at home and abroad. She’s got over a decade of PR and digital communications experiences with insights and knowledge to handle research and intelligence, strategy development, digital, e-commerce and social campaigns across China and Europe.

Shane and co-founder/twin brother Jake made a radical pivot in 2019, from running their award-winning creative agency to founding their own beauty brand – Shakeup Cosmetics and set out to create an innovative range of men’s skincare and hybrid cosmetics, specifically designed with men’s skin type and skin concerns in mind. Today, Shakeup has launched in a number of international markets, including China where it is currently the best-selling premium men's cosmetics brand across China's top ecommerce platforms. Shane serves on the Advisory Board of the British Beauty Council and its Diversity Equity & Inclusivity committee.

Enni is a seasoned Senior Market Manager with experience in brand and account management across APAC and EMEA markets. With a background in the Fashion & Beauty industry, she has driven business growth and strategic partnerships with premium global retailers like Sephora, Mecca, Nordstrom and China Duty Free. Enni excels in navigating complex market landscapes and managing omnichannel distribution, particularly in Greater China, Asia Pacific, Europe, and global travel retail.
Currently serving as the Senior Market Manager for APAC & Global Travel Retail at This Works, Enni oversees international distribution, develops impactful retail sales strategies, and leads brand’s strategic expansions.
Fluent in English and Chinese, and having lived in the UK, US, and China, Enni holds an M.A. in Strategic Fashion Marketing from the London College of Fashion, UAL and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan.

Mr. Zhao has a deep love for premium products and a vision to introduce them to China, he has been on a mission since his inception to bridge the gap between exceptional brands and eager consumers in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.
His diverse team brings a wealth of experience and a unique blend of cultural insights. With a combined industry experience of over 13 years, we specialise in navigating the intricacies of the Chinese market and are expert in cross-cultural communication.
Key to his success is the multicultural approach with deep understanding of both Chinese and Western cultures. This dual perspective enhances his ability to connect brands with the market effectively.