GS1 Hong Kong Summit 2025

Anna has more than 30 years of CEO experience in steering the strategic direction of the organisation, spearheading major strategic innovative initiatives that have revolutionized the way companies do business locally and globally, helping HK business community thrive.

She has led GS1 Hong Kong to establish platforms, ecosystems and programmes that have driven industry adoption of global supply chain standards, practices and technologies for enhanced business efficiency, digital commerce and IoT development across industries.

Ms Lin has been appointed by the Government of the HKSAR as Justice of the Peace (JP) in 2012 and awarded the Medal of Honour (MH) in 2023. She also attained Chartered Fellow (FCILT) granted by The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in 2018, recognising her achievement and contribution to the industries in Hong Kong.

In fostering a collaborative ecosystem, Ms Lin holds a number of appointments in both government and local industry organizations as well as regional organisations, including: 

Local:

• Non-official Member of Digital Economy Development Committee, HKSAR;
• Vice-chairman of Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Promotion, Hong Kong Logistics
• Development Council, HKSAR;
• Chairperson of Advisory Group of Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme, Cyperport;
• Chairman of Asian Institute of Supply Chains & Logistics Advisory Committee, The Chinese University of Hong Kong;
• Member of HKTDC Logistics Services Advisory Committee;
• Member of Management Advisory Board, OpenCertHub;
• Advisor of Hong Kong-ASEAN Economic Cooperation Foundation;

Global / Regional:

• Member of the GS1 Global CEO Advisory Council;
• Director of Board of Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC);
• APEC Business Advisory Council Hong Kong representative for APEC Policy Partnership on Food Security;
• Member of Advisory Board of School of Business, University of Birmingham;
• Director of Board of Hong Kong Foundation, University of Birmingham. 

Ms Lin is a native of Hong Kong. She holds an MBA in Strategic Management from the University of Birmingham United Kingdom.

Elliot Lee joined IKEA Hong Kong as Customer Service Manager in 1997. During his IKEA career, he gained valuable experience within stores in various management positions, including Store Service Operation Manager and Store Sales Manager in Shatin Store, and Store Manager in Causeway Bay store. In 2005, he joined INGKA Group and worked as Store Manager, including Guangzhou store and Shenzhen store, and country customer relations manager. ​

Having many years of retail and operation experience, Elliot returned to DFI IKEA in 2014 as Head of Customer Experience and Country Retail Logistics Manager of IKEA Hong Kong and, more recently, as Market Director and Operations Director of IKEA North Asia. From Jan 2024,  Elliot took over as the Managing Director of IKEA North Asia.​

At the present, DFI IKEA owns 5 IKEA stores (Causeway Bay, Shatin, Kowloon Bay, Tsuen Wan, Macau) and 7 customer meeting points (Tai Po, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tai Koo and Hang Hau Plan and order point, Discovery Bay and Olympic Close to you and Sai Wan Ho pick up point and bargain corner) in Hong Kong and Macau. We also have 8 IKEA stores (Taipei City Shop Arena, Neihu, Hsinchuang, Xindian, Taoyuan, Taichung, Chia Yi City Shop and Kaohsiung) and Xin Chu pick-up and order point in Taiwan. IKEA continues to create a better everyday life for the many people in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.​

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer, Cobalt Fashion (Hong Kong) Limited

Vice Chairman, Textile Council of Hong Kong

Chairman, Hong Kong Woollen & Synthetic Knitting Manufacturers' Association 

Roger Chan has extensive experience in the knitwear manufacturing sector, holding significant leadership positions at Cobalt Fashion and in the broader textile and garment industry in Hong Kong.  

As the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Cobalt Fashion, Roger oversees both the operational and technological aspects of the company. Under his leadership, Cobalt Fashion leverages cutting-edge technological tools and digital initiatives, such as the joint venture with Shima Seiki and the Search Engine project with Alibaba Cloud, to enhance its production processes and design capabilities.  

As part of Fung Group and one of the sister companies of Li & Fung, Cobalt Fashion position as a trailblazer in the knitwear industry, catering to a diverse clientele from mass retailers to premium brands. By leveraging AI and the industry’s foremost digital knitwear asset library, Roger and his team deliver high-quality virtual designs and production-ready data, transforming traditional knitwear manufacturing into a technology-driven industry.

Beyond his role at Cobalt Fashion, Roger serves as the Chairman of the Hong Kong Woollen & Synthetic Knitting Manufacturers' Association and Vice Chairman of the Textile Council of Hong Kong, respectively, highlight his broader influence in the industry. These leadership roles involve shaping industry standards, advocating for sector interests, and promoting innovation along sustainability initiatives. 

Tim is the Head of Sourcing Strategy for GAP INC leading the transformation of the Sourcing organisation.  Prior to working at GAP INC, Tim was a Partner at PwC leading the Sustainable Value Chain practice, working with luxury and high-end consumer brands to drive sustainability into value chains across Asia & Europe.  Other experiences cover 10 years in consulting and 10 years in industry, giving Tim wide experience across a number of topics.  Tim has a Six Sigma Black Belt, an MBA from HKUST and a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from Monash University.

Dr Lee joined Gold Peak Technology Group in 2022 and is currently General Manager & Head of Group ESG Initiatives of the Company.  He is also a Director of GP Energy Tech International Pte. Limited, a major subsidiary dedicated to advancing research and development in next-generation rechargeable battery technologies and B2B energy storage solutions, with a strong emphasis on Nickel-zinc technology.  Dr Lee has a broad range of leadership roles and extensive management experience gained in science-based, design-led and innovation-driven organizations across public and private sectors.  He is a Companion of Chartered Management Institute, a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, and a Fellow of Hong Kong Institute of Directors.  Dr Lee graduated from King’s College London, UK with a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and PhD in Biotechnology.  He also holds an MBA degree from the University of Warwick, UK. 

Francesca Poggiali is Vice President Global Public Policy at GS1 after 8 years as Chief Public Policy Officer Europe. She started her career at GS1 in 2016 and she is based in Brussels, Belgium (Avenue Louise 523, 1050).

Francesca Poggiali is a public policy professional with 25 years of experience in complex political and technical environments linked to fast moving consumer good products. Her career includes both public and private sectors experience gained at:

• The European Commission and European Parliament – from 1996 to 2005
• Cosmetics Europe and the Federation of Chemical Industries – from 2005 to 2007
• Ferrero International as public policy lead and later global sustainability lead – from 2007 to 2015
• GS1 as Public Policy Director, then Chief Public Policy Officer Europe and as of July 2024 as Vice President Global Public Policy

Among her biggest achievements so far:

• The negotiations of the TBT agreement between WTO and the EU,
• The development of the EU TRIS mechanism,
• The corporate social responsibility program for Ferrero International,
• The convergence of environmental protection and chemical industry impacts in the framework of the EU Chemical reform,
• The fight against illicit trade program and digital product passports engagement through open non-proprietary standards for GS1.

Francesca studied Corporate Social Responsibility at the Harvard Business School, and International and European Law in the UK and Italy where she received the highest recognition cum laude. She speaks Italian, English, French, Spanish fluently。
 

Anna has more than 30 years of CEO experience in steering the strategic direction of the organisation, spearheading major strategic innovative initiatives that have revolutionized the way companies do business locally and globally, helping HK business community thrive.

She has led GS1 Hong Kong to establish platforms, ecosystems and programmes that have driven industry adoption of global supply chain standards, practices and technologies for enhanced business efficiency, digital commerce and IoT development across industries.

Ms Lin has been appointed by the Government of the HKSAR as Justice of the Peace (JP) in 2012 and awarded the Medal of Honour (MH) in 2023. She also attained Chartered Fellow (FCILT) granted by The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in 2018, recognising her achievement and contribution to the industries in Hong Kong.

In fostering a collaborative ecosystem, Ms Lin holds a number of appointments in both government and local industry organizations as well as regional organisations, including: 

Local:

• Non-official Member of Digital Economy Development Committee, HKSAR;
• Vice-chairman of Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Promotion, Hong Kong Logistics
• Development Council, HKSAR;
• Chairperson of Advisory Group of Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme, Cyperport;
• Chairman of Asian Institute of Supply Chains & Logistics Advisory Committee, The Chinese University of Hong Kong;
• Member of HKTDC Logistics Services Advisory Committee;
• Member of Management Advisory Board, OpenCertHub;
• Advisor of Hong Kong-ASEAN Economic Cooperation Foundation;

Global / Regional:

• Member of the GS1 Global CEO Advisory Council;
• Director of Board of Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC);
• APEC Business Advisory Council Hong Kong representative for APEC Policy Partnership on Food Security;
• Member of Advisory Board of School of Business, University of Birmingham;
• Director of Board of Hong Kong Foundation, University of Birmingham. 

Ms Lin is a native of Hong Kong. She holds an MBA in Strategic Management from the University of Birmingham United Kingdom.

Dr. Toa Charm is a highly accomplished professional with extensive experience in the innovation and technology industry. His expertise spans various domains, including AI/Big Data, FinTech, Corporate Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Digital Transformation. Dr. Charm has held senior management positions at Cyberport, HSBC, IBM, Oracle, Kingdee, and Jardine. He published his book titled "數碼力大提升" (Boost Your Digital Power) and a few international business cases. Dr. Charm received accolades such as the 2019 College of Business Distinguished Alumni Award and the 2018 Doctor of Business Administration Alumni Award from CityU HK. 

Dr. Charm is actively involved in advising enterprises on digital transformation, data literacy empowerment, and data monetization strategies. He has provided guidance to renowned organizations such as Bank of East Asia, China Everbright Bank, China Construction Bank, Transunion, Sun Life, AIA, BLUE, Chow Tai Fook, Harbour City, foodpanda, Airport Authority, Ricoh, ONE, CLP, MTR, HKTDC, Baidu and Lenovo. 

Dr. Charm played a pivotal role in establishing Cyberport as a global leader in the digital tech ecosystem, attracting over 1,200 digital companies from more than 30 countries, including multiple unicorns. He currently chairs a few Asia's elite start-ups including OpenCertHub, Posify, Buyandship, Wizpresso, Lively Impact, HairCoSys and Kingsware. 

Dr. Charm's contributions extend beyond individual companies. He serves as the Founding Chairman of the Data Literacy Association and holds key positions in various industry organizations. These include the President of the IoT Industry Advisory Council at GS1 HK, member in the Technology Council of Macau SAR Government, ExCo member of the Startup Council of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI), mentor in the ELITE & LEAP Admission Panel at Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP), member of the Entrepreneurship Centre Advisory Group at Hong Kong Cyberport, member of the Tech Panel at Hong Kong Applied Science & Technology Institute (ASTRI), member of Digital Economy at Hong Kong Consumer Council. 

Furthermore, Dr. Charm actively contributes to nurturing the next generation of leaders through his teaching engagements at leading universities such as the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Swiss Business School, Institute for China Business at HKU, and Greater Bay Area Business School. He received Faculty Teaching Merit Awards in 3 consecutive years (2021-23) from CUHK. Dr. Charm completed executive training programs at MIT, Stanford, Oxford, UC-Berkeley, Northwestern, Ivey, and CEIBS

Professional and Industry Experience

Anson joined KPMG in Hong Kong in 1999 and is currently a Partner based in the Hong Kong office heading up the Consumer & Retail Practice in the Asia Pacific region. Today, he is part of the Global KPMG Consumer & Retail Leadership team.​

Anson acts as the Lead Partner for a number of strategic MNC and regional accounts where he covers a number of sectors in the consumer, industrial, tech, smart cities and retail space across the Asia Pacific region.

Relevant Engagements​

Today, he works with a growing number of C-level executives as a trusted advisor in looking at all aspects of the customer and providing the best in client innovation.​

Anson has been active in driving a number of thought leadership reports and executive briefings for senior executives covering innovation, technology and consumers in China and across the Asia Pacific region. He has worked with many corporates to understand the complex markets we live in and current levels of disruption being seen with various thought leadership reports including Global Mobile Payments, Consumers & Convergence, Mobilizing Innovation: The Changing Landscape of Disruptive Technologies, Be a Smarter Start-up, MNCs in Greater China, Made in Greater China 2025, Greater China’s Connected Consumers, Global Connected Consumers, Connecting Hong Kong – Perspectives on our future as a smart city, Connected Cities – insights across the ASPAC region, Retail Recharged, The Future of Seamless Commerce in Asia Pacific, The Changing Face of Commerce and a series of summits around smart cities, the future of innovation and consumers.​

Anson is a frequent speaker at conferences and events around the globe and has completed his Executive Masters in Innovation & Technology with the Poly University as well as the MIT Executive Leadership & Innovation Program.​

Ken Ching is one of the awardees of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Outstanding Young Entrepreneur award. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering and a Master’s degree in Information Technology from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), and is currently pursuing a PhD in AIoT at the City University of Hong Kong (CityU).

Ken began his career at iASPEC, where he made significant technical contributions as part of a pioneering project. He was instrumental in developing the first generation of a digital signing kernel that was primarily designed for pharmacy applications. This innovative solution was widely implemented by the Hospital Authority, enhancing the security and efficiency of digital signing processes critical for healthcare operations.

Following his work at iASPEC, Ken further expanded his technical expertise by joining eBay Classified Group as a Software Engineer, where he was the first and youngest engineer on the Asia Pacific team. In this role, he played a key part in supporting platform development across Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Australia.

Ken's entrepreneurial journey began in 2014 when he founded his first startup. Since then, he has successfully launched multiple ventures across diverse industries, including e-commerce and the food & beverage (F&B) sector. His technical prowess and business acumen have consistently driven innovation.

In 2017, Ken founded LocoBike, with the vision of delivering a convenient, affordable, and eco-friendly bike-sharing service in Hong Kong. Under his leadership, LocoBike has grown to become one of the most popular bike-sharing brands in the city. The company integrates IoT and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to enhance user experience, monitor bicycle safety, and promote micro-mobility as a healthy urban transportation solution.

Beyond his business ventures, Ken is deeply involved in community initiatives that advocate for micro-mobility and sustainable living. He believes that micro-mobility solutions can significantly reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and foster a healthier urban lifestyle. With a strong commitment to green mobility, Ken is continuously working to expand LocoBike’s impact, with aspirations of establishing it as a key player in the global sustainable transportation market.

Philippe Chan is the GM of YouGov Hong Kong & China and a member of ESOMAR. An experienced FMCG and retail expert, he has over 20 years of experience providing strategic advice to leading players across the banking & insurance, retail, luxury, FMCG, loyalty programs and other sectors in the region.