Chief Commercial and Development Officer at GQ Group, Thailand

George Hartel is Chief Commercial & Development Officer at GQ Apparel (Thailand), the country’s leading omnichannel tech menswear brand, transformed from a 60-year family business into Thailand’s top-selling menswear label.

A global transformation leader with 20+ years of experience across Southeast Asia, China, India, and the United States, George has accelerated growth through large-scale commercial and operational transformations. He has led innovation, e-commerce development, retail expansion, market entry, and viral marketing, building high-performing cross-cultural teams and advising founders and leadership teams on growth and execution.

George also co-founded Fighting Giants, an innovation and culture transformation community connecting 150+ senior executives and business leaders, and previously served as Managing Director for Asia at Newell Brands. He is an elected Board of Governors member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand and is known for championing differentiation and innovation to deliver a “Wow” at every consumer touch-point.

Co-Founder of Fashion Revolution and League of Artisans

Carry Somers is a visionary changemaker and co-founder of Fashion Revolution, the world’s largest fashion activism movement driving transparency, fairness, and sustainability. With an MA in Native American Studies, she has supported Indigenous communities for over three decades, embedding their values into her work. She founded Pachacuti, an award-winning Fair Trade brand, and co-founded the League of Artisans to champion artisanal skills globally.

Recognised in the BoF 500 as one of fashion’s most influential figures, Carry has sailed 2,000 miles researching ocean plastic, co-created a textile garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters and a 2023 Churchill Fellowship. A sought-after speaker, she has addressed audiences worldwide, from The Economist Impact Summit to Latin America’s largest design festival, with insights featured on BBC, NPR, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and the Financial Times.

Managing Director, NewVision Solutions Ltd.
President, Japan Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JBCCI)

Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun) is Managing Director of NewVision Solutions Ltd, where he has spent over 18 years supporting Japanese companies and investment initiatives in Bangladesh. He currently serves as President of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI), leading efforts to deepen bilateral trade and strengthen business ties.

Jun is also Infrastructure Advisor to the Embassy of Japan, Managing Director of InnoTech Ltd (Japan), and Vice-President of the Pan Asian Research Institute. With deep expertise in IT and business development, he advocates for policy stability, skilled workforce development, and new opportunities in AI, agritech, renewables, and advanced industry.

Europe Board Regional Representative at World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)

Caterina is an ESG and Sustainability Advisor in luxury and fashion, working with brands such as Maison Alaïa, Chloé, and Aspesi, and supporting Chloé’s B-Corp certification, the first for a luxury house. With a background in Geopolitics and International Relations, she has over 15 years’ experience as an EU and UN Development Aid Manager, advising initiatives including the UN Ethical Fashion Initiative and UN social enterprise programs for the Mediterranean. She currently serves as ESG Advisor to UNIDO and Partnership Coordinator for UNHCR’s Made51.

A social entrepreneur, Caterina founded SeeMe, employing women survivors of violence, and EthicaRei, the first certified ethical supplier network for fashion. A frequent speaker at global forums such as the Condé Nast Luxury Conference and Social Enterprise World Forum, she also sits on the Global Board of Directors of WFTO and contributes to BoF, Harper’s Bazaar NL, and Vogue Italia.

Global Board Member (Independent) at World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)

As CEO of El Puente, Jette leads a Business committed to advancing Fair Trade practices and changing the rules of the economy. She also serves on the board of Forum Fairer Handel, advocating for Fair Trade and alternative business models in Germany.

Previously, Jette was the Partnerships Manager at the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), where she forged key partnerships and expanded global market opportunities for Fair Trade enterprises. Her earlier experience with TradeAid in New Zealand focused on product development and sales, giving her valuable insight into Fair Trade operations.

Global Consultant – Creative Management, Fashion & Lifestyle

Bharat Pratap Singh is a seasoned apparel and textile professional with over 25 years of experience across global fashion markets. His expansive portfolio includes collaborations with leading international brands such as Zara, H&M, Calvin Klein, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Uniqlo. As Creative Director of BEXIMCO, Bharat has partnered with these global retailers to deliver innovative design solutions, strengthen product direction, and bridge creative vision with large-scale manufacturing capabilities.

He also played a central role in building YELLOW, BEXIMCO’s flagship retail brand, shaping its design identity and helping scale its presence across Bangladesh and Pakistan. His work demonstrates how strong creative leadership can successfully translate aesthetic concepts into commercially impactful, cross-border fashion businesses.

Beyond his industry contributions, Bharat is a dedicated mentor and educator. He has served as a guest lecturer at NIFT, NID, and Pearl Academy, guiding emerging designers on the importance of pairing aesthetics with strategy to create meaningful, market-ready design.

Brand Marketing Professional

Iftekhar Mallick is a seasoned marketing professional from Dhaka, with leadership roles in fashion and footwear across South and Southeast Asia. With over a decade of experience in brand-building, he has worked closely with global firms like McKinsey, WGSN, Ipsos, DDB, and Dentsu. Known for his ability to adapt brand messaging across culturally diverse markets, Iftekhar has been recognized as a global marketing talent. He was a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Bata and now serves as General Manager at Beximco. He has attended major fashion weeks in Jakarta, Delhi, Dubai, Milan, and Paris staying closely attuned to emerging trends and innovations shaping the global fashion industry. A trained design thinker, Iftekhar brings a unique blend of strategic insight and creative sensibility to the table.

Co-Founder and CEO of IGC Fashion

Katende Godfrey is a fashion designer based in Uganda, blending inspiration from ancient African fashion with modern and futuristic design. Rooted in African tradition, heritage, and culture, his use of natural and indigenous materials reflects a deep commitment to both cultural preservation and sustainable fashion practices.

Dedicated to empowering local communities, Katende provides free education, mentorship, and inspiration in Kampala. His work aligns with the decolonisation movement in Africa, advocating for the reclamation of cultural identity through fashion. Through his “Kwetu Kwanza” campaign, he champions sustainable and ethical fashion, positioning fashion as both an artistic expression and a tool for social change.

Senior Lecturer, Fashion Management with Marketing, Southampton Solent University

Emma has been with Southampton Solent University since 2008, teaching across fashion branding, marketing, business, innovation, buying, and brand management. She graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fashion from Southampton and an MA in International Fashion and Textiles with Marketing in 2010, studying at Institut Français de la Mode, Paris, and the Hoog School Ver De Kunsten, Netherlands, supported by a Textile Institute scholarship.

Before academia, Emma spent 10 years in the UK fashion sector, working in buying and production for UK and Japanese brands across menswear, womenswear, and childrenswear. She has collaborated with Central Saint Martins and the London College of Fashion, and serves as an External Examiner for Nottingham Trent, Cardiff Metropolitan, and has held roles with Manchester Metropolitan, Pearl Academy India, and Istituto Marangoni. Recognised by students, she was nominated for Solent staff awards in 2016 and 2020.