Speakers:

James Grayland, Partner, Wan Ling Tea House / Director, Heighten International

James Grayland has extensive experience working with food and drink, technology and other industries. His current work with Wan Ling Tea House and other SMEs reflects his understanding of the challenge of small businesses and the importance of team work and solid network.

Wan Ling Tea House is a multi award winning small business focused on bringing some of the best loose-leaf  teas to the world, along with healthy lifestyle to even the busiest individual.

Apart from his expertise in the tea sector, James has around 12 years of experience working with Heighten International which helps SMEs access the China market as buyers or suppliers. 

Stanley Hi, Brand Director - wine and whisky, Telford China

Stanley has over 15-years' experience working in fashion, wine & spirits, and other industries. In November 2015, Stanley joined Telford China, a company that specialises in establishing foreign brands by supporting their local adaptation strategy & planning, promotion & operation and budget & inventory management. Working with brand owners, she develops a strong brand positioning and her strong commercial awareness helps them to achieve both annual and long-term business goals.

Aron Solomons, Head of Europe at The Silk Initiative (TSI).

TSI is one of the world’s few Asia-based consumer goods brand consultancies sitting at the intersection of foresight, strategy, innovation, and creative development. Based in London, Aron leads TSI’s work for their clients based in Europe and the US.

Before joining TSI, Aron worked at Mindshare in both London and Shanghai.

Across his roles he has developed data-led marketing and brand strategies for a range of F&B and wellness clients for the China market, including Nestle, PepsiCo, a2 Milk Company, and Edgewell Personal Care.

Aoyun Wang, Consultant, FoodMate

Aoyun graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology with a master's degree and now works as a consultant with FoodMate international food safety compliance team. She focuses on tracking, analysing, and interpreting the latest food safety and import/export regulatory changes in China, has provided professional compliance services for a number of well-known overseas enterprises.

Paris Yuan, Business Development Manager, DKSH China

Paris has plenty of expertise in the Cross-border e-Commerce industry, International Trade and China Retail via six years of working experience.

She once served the Kick-off team of Royal Mail Tmall Flagship Store as a Trade Partner, led the onboarding projects of a number of authentic British brands, such as Waitrose, this works, Premier Foods, etc.

After returning to China in 2017, she joined DKSH, the Swiss-listed company, and became responsible for the selection and proposal of all overseas brands from FMCG, specific to China market. She has successfully launched Guylian from Belgium, Schogetten from Germany, Bio-familia from Switzerland, St.Dalfour from France, Oatly from Sweden and many other brands.