Meet Our Team

JAMES CHEN, HH

 

20’s years China experience as founder of start - ups, business owner and professional MD / CEO in big Multi-National Groups.

Gone through China development in the past 20’s years, to cope with the fast pace of different new business models.

 

  • Credibility in China Network & Relationship across Fashion & Consumer Goods Distribution related industries for more than 20’s years
  • Two successful exits from big multinational groups: Li & Fung Group and Fosun Fashion Group (now called Lanvin Group)
  • Combined East & West, Global & Local management and mindset
  • Team and Company Culture Building Leadership
  • Strong Global Brand Network and Relationship
  • Strong Asia & ASEAN Network and Relationship
    • Born & raised in Indonesia, the largest market among ASEAN countries.
    • Understand the crucial different cultures & strategies for expanding China brands to ASEAN.

PAST HIGHLIGHTS

 

Launched a new concept - Nike 360, a sports fashion casual segment which later become Nike Sportwear worldwide.

Sold UCCAL Fashion Group to LI & FUNG Group. At its peak, UCCAL had about 800 mono-brand shops with about USD 400 million retail turnovers with exclusive distribution across Luxury, Affordable Luxury and Mid Price Brand Segmentation.

Joint Venture with LMCA New York, a Top 5 Global IP Licensing Company, to set up LOLA China, an IP Licensing Company.

Bought a.testoni mother company and later sold to Sitoy, a Hong Kong listed company.

Managed as President at FOSUN Fashion Group, a holding with subsidiaries of global brands like Lanvin, Wolford, ST John, Caruso, and Tom Tailor. Joint Venture with FOSUN Fashion Group (now Lanvin Group) to manage their brands in Greater China.

Strategic Partner with Marquees Brands, New York. Marquee is sponsored by Neuberger Berman, a USD 400 billion asset management company.

Cooperate strategically with Crown Creative Co, LTD, Tokyo. Crown Creative is one of the biggest Japan licensing companies.

Honorary Chairman: JOSE CHENG

  • Jose is the Honorary chairman of BranDNA. He is also the CEO of CPAX Capital Group, Investment Committee member of Select Alternative Investments Group in Singapore and MaxCap Group in Australia, and Senior Advisor to LionRock Capital Group. With BranDNA, he works with the CEO and the team on overall development and strategic direction of the group.
  • Jose’s professional career spans over 30 years in principal investment and consumer business management. He was the CEO of Fung Capital Asia, CEO of Fung Fashion Limited, Executive Director of EM Warburg Pincus & Co, Asia, and Vice President of Investor AB Asia.
  • Jose has extensive experience in branded consumer business management and principal investment that spans across Asia, Europe and the US. He previously served as chief executive and/or senior board executive of various listed and non-listed brand management companies, including Furla of Italy, Kanematsu Textile Group of Japan, UCCAL of China, Trinity Limited of Hong Kong, Branded Lifestyle Group in Asia. These companies either own and/or operate various brands such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Furla, Just Cavalli, Roberto Cavalli, St. John, Roots of Canada, Hang Ten, Jockey, CK Jeans, Hello Kitty, Porsche Design, Kent & Curwen, Cerruti 1881, Gieves & Hawkes.
  • Jose is a graduate from Queen’s University in Canada with a BA degree in Philosophy.

 

TEAM SUPPORT

 

China is a big complex potential market with a fast pace and own unique nuances.

Entering China with trial & error will have a huge cost to learning.

On-the-ground experience team with multidisciplinary experience and full function in China is a must.

BranDNA has a comprehensive functional team with industry experience of 20 years across departments: Online Retail, Offline Retail, Wholesale ( Online and Offline ), Business Development, Creative Design & Visual, Product Development, Marketing ( PR, Event, CRM, Product & Content Placement, Co–Lab, etc ), HR, Finance and IT.

BranDNA also invested in strong ERP and CRM systems & infrastructure to cope with a multi dimensions of China distribution channels.

Harry Wu

EVP
STRATEGY

30 years of experience in the International Fashion & Skin Care Brand & Retail industry. Skilled in Operation Management, rich experience in global high-end brands, with strong competence in Business Development and extensive network in China.