How do you breathe new life into a legendary global icon in today’s volatile commercial landscape?
In this exclusive installment of the Wisdom Connect Executive Masterclass Series, we invite our distinguished EMBA Alumnus, Mr. Herbert Chan, CEO of WIP International, to take us behind the scenes of the highly publicized relaunch of ESPRIT in Hong Kong.
Moving far beyond traditional marketing narratives, this session deep-dives into the raw business mechanics, structural innovations, and leadership orchestration required to execute a high-stakes corporate turnaround. From pivoting to an asset-light master franchise model to opening a 4,400 sq. ft. contrarian physical flagship in Causeway Bay, Herbert will share the strategic calculus behind defying the "retail apocalypse" and engineering a 30% brand premiumization strategy in a value-driven market.
Designed strictly for senior executives, experienced commercial leaders, and fellow EMBA alumni, this high-impact masterclass bridges the gap between academic theory and executive practice. Join us to uncover actionable insights on navigating cross-border corporate governance, managing multi-stakeholder skepticism, and driving organizational agility when the stakes are at their highest.
Key Takeaways & Executive Discussion Points
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The Architecture of an Asset-Light Turnaround: Shifting away from capital-heavy legacy retail models toward highly agile IP licensing and master franchise frameworks.
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The Contrarian Footprint: The data-driven calculation behind utilizing low-risk pop-ups to de-risk heavy CapEx before committing to permanent, premium brick-and-mortar flagships.
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The 30% Premiumization Play: The supply chain, design, and psychological strategies required to successfully elevate a legacy brand into the "affordable luxury" space during an economic downturn.
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Executive Resilience & Stewardship: The leadership journey of balancing high-level corporate governance with hands-on operational execution to pivot a culture from survival mode to market capture.
Event Details
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📅 Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
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⏰ Time: 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM (Includes executive networking)
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📍 Venue: HK Tech 300 IncuHub, Admiralty, Hong Kong
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👥 Audience: Senior Executives, Commercial Leaders, and CityU EMBA Alumni/Students
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🎫 Admission: Complimentary (Exclusive access; pre-registration mandatory due to limited seating)
About the Speaker
Mr. Herbert Chan
CEO, WIP International | CityU EMBA Alumnus
Herbert Chan is a seasoned retail architect and commercial leader with a proven track record of steering complex brand transformations across the Asia-Pacific region. As the head of WIP International, he masterminded the strategic alliance to secure the long-term exclusive master franchise rights for ESPRIT in Hong Kong, leading the iconic brand's structural evolution, product premiumization, and physical market return.
About the Series
"Wisdom Connect" is an exclusive masterclass series designed for senior executives to sharpen their strategic focus. These high-impact sessions bridge the gap between academic theory and executive practice, fostering deep insights through peer-to-peer networking and expert-led case analysis.
