- LVMH, Loewe and Alexander McQueen are among the brands featuring in this year’s programme
- The annual summit comes to Madrid for the first time, with estimated 400+ attendees from 30+ countries
MADRID, 15 March 2019: Celebrating its 15th annual gathering, the FT Business of Luxury Summit will be held in Madrid for the first time this year. Co-chaired by the Financial Times’ editor Lionel Barber and associate editor and fashion editor Jo Ellison, this prestigious summit brings together some of the biggest names in the global luxury industry.
The summit will take place 19-21 May 2019 in three emblematic venues across the city - the Prado Museum, the Westin Palace Hotel and the Casino de Madrid - all of which reflect the strong, vibrant and cultural heritage of the Spanish capital.
FT associate editor and fashion editor, Jo Ellison said: “Madrid is an emerging high-end destination for luxury businesses and we are delighted to host our annual Summit in this classic yet forward-looking European business hub.”
Speakers revealed today, with more to come, include:
- Emmanuel Gintzburger, Chief Executive Officer, Alexander McQueen
- Sidney Toledano, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, LVMH Fashion Group
- Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director, J.W.Anderson & Loewe
- Ana Botín, Executive Chairman, Santander Group
- Sir Paul Smith, CBE, Chairman, Paul Smith Ltd
- Kristina Blahnik, Chief Executive Officer, Manolo Blahnik
- Stephen Lussier, Executive Vice President, DeBeers Group; CEO, Forevermark
- Stephen Webster, Founder & Creative Director, Stephen Webster
- Sujata Bhatia, Senior Vice President & GM for Global Merchant Services Europe, American Express
- Jancis Robinson, Wine Correspondent, Financial Times
- Antonio Menendez, Managing Director, Vega Sicilia
- Jesús Nuño de la Rosa, Chief Executive Officer, El Corte Inglés
- Adrian Cheng, Founder, K11; Co-Founder, C Ventures
- Martin Wolf, CBE, Chief Economics Commentator, Financial Times
- Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada, fashion designer
The FT Business of Luxury Summit gathers leading executives, innovators and financiers to debate the latest changes in the luxury narrative and examine what lies ahead. With an estimated 400+ attendees from 30+ countries, the summit offers a rare opportunity to meet, influence and network with an exclusive audience from the global luxury goods and services market.
This year’s summit takes place during a period of continuing political disruption and economic uncertainty. The agenda will therefore focus on the opportunities that can arise for the luxury industry from this fluctuating environment, looking to examine crucial questions such as:
- How can luxury businesses adopt agile and start-up strategies that will deliver growth and exceed customer and shareholder expectations?
- Will the luxury industry be able to protect itself from the might of e-commerce giants?
- Where are the new developing markets? And with trade wars a high risk, how will the industry retain the lucrative Chinese market?
- What are the latest investment opportunities in the luxury sector for the banking and private equity world?
For more information and to view the full programme visit the website and follow @FTLive and #FTLuxury on Twitter and Instagram. Sessions on the day will be conducted in English, with simultaneous Spanish translation provided.
The FT Business of Luxury Summit is presented in association with Michel Dyens and is supported by American Express (Platinum Sponsor), El Corte Inglés (Gold Sponsor), McArthurGlen (Gold Sponsor), General Atlantic (Silver Sponsor), Natural Fur (Silver Sponsor) and Círculo Fortuny (Host Supporting Partner).
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Notes to editors
Media accreditation for the FT Business of Luxury summit is now open. All requests must be submitted, via this registration link, by Friday 12 April.
About the FT Business of Luxury Summit
The FT Business of Luxury Summit attracts senior luxury sector executives, corporate decision-makers and financiers from around the world including Chairmen, CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CMOs, CTOs, Presidents and Managing Directors from across the luxury industry including: fashion, retail, jewellery, motor, yacht manufacturing, watches, technology, private equity, investment banking, private banking, investment, asset management, architecture, construction, luxury hotels, luxury residential property, auctioneering, yacht broking, arts, credit card companies, film, shopping malls, advertising, marketing, design.
About the Financial Times
The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading business news organisations, recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. The FT has a record paying readership of 985,000, three-quarters of which are digital subscriptions. It is part of Nikkei Inc., which provides a broad range of information, news and services for the global business community.