Unlock APAC

Unlock is a UK & Hong Kong based company which helps innovative consumer electronics accessory brands launch, or expand, in EMEA & APAC regions. We have worked with some of the world's most recognisable accessory brands to help them lay world class foundations. Key areas of expertise lie in creating and executing a strategy for both regions. We appoint the best distribution partners, secure retail placements in the right channels and underpin this with a smart approach to Amazon and online. We support our clients with advice on packaging, compliance, certifications, pricing, contracts and logistics. Put simply, we are a smart alternative to hiring your own team and can help accelerate your journey in EMEA & APAC.

Founder & Director

Sphero

Responsible for all retail/online/education sales in the APAC region.

Sales Director APAC

Channel Facilities APAC Ltd.

Channel Facilities APAC is a sales consulting and brand expansion company helping you to break through the distribution clutter and deliver results that shape your reputation, build your brand and move your business.

Our team is composed of brand architects who are skilled in building effective business strategies for both emerging and established brands within the Asia-Pacific market. Our passion is geared towards the launch of products that are innovative and/or design focused.

We also believe that the definition of success resides in people and partnership, which is why we’ve built up for 5+ years some long relationships with well-respected distribution and premium retail partners in order to bring a careful attention on your brand expansion.

We are located in Hong Kong that we think to be the perfect hub-city in Asia-Pacific to help you achieve your business growth objectives and become a world-class brand.

Channel Facilities APAC becomes your remote partner in Asia-Pacific managing your brand expansion from bottom to top at a controlled pace.

Founder and Managing Director

Business, Product and Sales Consulting

Provide a broad variety of consultancy services via recognised expertise and experience in Business, Product and Sales management
•	Introduction and launching of new brands and product lines into the APAC market
•	Development of business plans, commercial strategies and brand awareness
•	Sales, operations, administration, key account and customer relationship management

Business Consultant

Native Union

• Strategically planned the geographical layout of the brand distribution in APAC and implemented the relevant successful strategies for achieving set sales targets through existing and new channel distributors.

• Directed the collaborative Sales & Marketing and Product Development, annual and long-range brand planning cycle.

• Developed & implemented consumer communications strategies across the APAC region in collaboration with brand principals.

Head of Sales - Asia Pacific / Middle East

• Launched and successfully distributed Native Union brand in 14 International Markets: France, Belgium, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Mainland China and South Korea.

• Achieved a total turnover of 3 Million USD in 2011 and 5 million in 2012.

• Managed and built strong relationships with distributors and premium retailers in the industry through business trips and attendance to international trade shows.

• Established the brand positioning among a diverse network covering IT, CE, Telco, Design, Gift and Fashion channels.

Business Development Manager

Aimer Group

• Supervised the implementation of new Aimer stores in Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

• Participated to the creation of a new membership program for clients of the brand in abroad markets.

• Identified and liaised with other lingerie brands to offer them ‘ODM’ services and production facilities.

🌟 Crafting Success at the Intersection of Passion and Expertise 🌟

Bonjour! I'm AJ, a dynamic and driven professional with a passport full of experiences and a heart set on making waves in the world of business. Originally hailing from the picturesque landscapes of France, I've found my current home and hustle in the vibrant metropolis of Hong Kong.

My journey has been a tapestry woven with threads of innovation, quality, and technology, influenced profoundly by the titans of industry I've had the privilege to work alongside. With over a decade of diverse experiences under my belt, I've navigated the intricate landscapes of Consumer Electronics, Toys, Education, Design, and Fashion, leaving a trail of success in my wake.

What sets me apart? It's not just about the titles or accolades—it's about the relentless pursuit of excellence. Armed with a robust skill set encompassing sales, marketing, product lifecycle management, and supply chain expertise, I thrive on immersing myself in every facet of a business to drive unparalleled success.

But beyond the boardrooms and sales pitches, I'm a staunch believer in the power of storytelling—the heartbeat of brand building. I place great emphasis on cultivating genuine, sustainable relationships founded on trust and integrity, because I understand that true success is built on a foundation of authenticity.

When I'm not charting the course for business triumphs, you'll find me embracing the great outdoors, whether it's pounding the pavement on a morning run, conquering mountain trails, or pushing my limits in fitness training. And let's not forget my wanderlust—my passion for travel not only fuels my adventurous spirit but also enriches my global perspective, seamlessly aligning with my professional pursuits.

So, why wait? Let's connect and explore the boundless opportunities to collaborate and co-create success together in the Asia-Pacific region. Whether you're a fellow trailblazer or a kindred spirit, I'm here to turn visions into victories. To contact me, you can drop me a DM or email me on aurelien@unlock-apac.com.

Aurelien Joly

Banyan Workspace

Founder & Owner

Dragonfly Asia-Pacific Limited

Fossil Group, Inc.

2014: Took on the role of Vice President and Head of Fossil Brand for the APAC Region reporting to the SVP of APAC

2017: Took on the additional responsibility of overseeing all Marketing for Brands & Categories in the APAC Region and transitioned my reporting directly to our Global HQ and EVP of House Brands

Responsible for all aspects of brand and business management from Brand P&L, product merchandising, GTM plan and execution to marketing, forecasting and inventory planning across all APAC geographies, channels and business models.

Grew business at a 10% CAGR over the period with standout successes in India, China, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia and Japan.

As Head of Marketing: Managed marketing across 12 owned and licensed brands and several product categories and built & transitioned a team of high potential traditional marketeers through a steep learning curve into a highly effective team of new world marketeers executing across digital and traditional platforms to achieve standout results that were best in class.

In this role I was an integral part of the Asia Pacific Senior Leadership Team that charted the course of all commercial aspects of our business in the region and enjoyed significant input into all decisions and strategy discussions.

Vice President Fossil Brand & Marketing APAC

Grew business from under US$50M to over US$80M with direct control of Hong Kong & Macau and through Distributor partners in Thailand, The Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal as well as all Travel Retail Business in the Region. 

Managed across channels including retail, wholesale and owned, distributor and franchise businesses.  

Managed a cross-functional team of over 100 people to drive incredible results in one of the most exciting phases of my career. 

Brought on and developed some incredible young talent who have blossomed both within Fossil and in other companies and built one of the strongest businesses and teams I have had the pleasure to manage.

Vice President & Managing Director - Hong Kong, Macau & APAC Distribution & Travel Retail

Managed all areas of a US$30M business in non-subsidiary markets in APAC. 

This included Fossil Watches, Leather and Eyewear and a licensed portfolio of watches from; Emporio Armani, DKNY, Diesel, Michael Kors and Burberry. Cross channel management in markets including Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines, Vietnam, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mongolia and Guam. 

Additionally, was responsible for leading the development of FOSSIL's non-watch business, primarily Leathers and Eyewear, throughout APAC in channels excluding company owned Retail Stores and launched Fossil Leather and Eyewear through wholesale channels and with new distribution partners in India, China, Taiwan, Singapore and Indonesia creating a stronger brand message and awareness for Fossil than had previously existed and growing revenues in APAC for accessories from almost nothing to US$10M

Vice President Business Development & Accessories

Responsible for:  strategic planning, site selection, landlord negotiation, on going landlord relationships, driving the Global Real Estate committee to internal 'deal approval' and lease checking and execution for all company owned retail stores within APAC. Also found, vetted and signed up franchise partners to open retail stores in countries where Fossil Group had no owned presence or on the ground retail expertise.

Opened over 50 company owned retail stores in Hong Kong, Macau, China, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan and franchise stores in Indonesia, Korea and The Philippines

Vice President Real Estate - Asia

- Managed APAC Distributor Markets and growing the business sufficiently and with a view to directly taking ownership

- Focused markets: China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and New Zealand

- Transitioned China, Korea and Taiwan to subsidiary business under Fossil Groups control and rolled New Zealand business under the management of Fossil Australia 

- Promoted to Vice President

Regional Manager - APAC Distribution

- Established and took on the responsibility of managing all APAC Business (except Japan) from a Regional Headquarters in Hong Kong
- Launched new distributors and business in Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, China and India
- Took over direct control of Hong Kong business from a distributor
- Opened join ventures in Singapore and Australia
- Grew APAC revenue from under $10M in 1999 to over US$20M by 2003

Regional Manager & Head of Business - APAC Region

- Launched & managed Asian Distributors: Korea, Singapore, Australia, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Hong Kong
- Launched & Managed Distributors in France & The United Kingdom including big product launched through distributor with Signet Group (H.Samuels, Ernest Jones)
 - Managed all aspects of the business including sales, marketing, finance and logistics inclusive of communication with factories in China for supply support
- Assisted in the due diligence and appointing of new Franchisees for Retail Stores in Australia and set up a Retail Store network in Singapore and The Philippines
 - Proposed and facilitated move of Distributor business model to a corporate subsidiary operation in Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong
- Proposed and facilitated move of management of all APAC Business from Global HQ in Dallas to Regional HQ in Hong Kong

International Sales Manager - APAC, United Kingdom & France

With nearly 30 years of experience building brands, distribution networks, empowered teams and businesses across Asia Pacific, I left the corporate world in 2018 to answer my entrepreneurial callings. 

Since embarking on this journey, I have established Banyan Workspace, The Green Office Project, Dragonfly Asia-Pacific, Spiritu HK and launched the "Entrepreneur Stories" podcast.

Banyan Workspace provides an elevated boutique experience for entrepreneurs and SMEs looking for a socially-conscious, values-driven shared office space to call home. Inspired by my own home, Hong Kong, Banyan Workspace has been recognised as this cities most eco-friendly shared workspace. We also partner with local businesses and non-profits to give back to the community we proudly serve, while striving to support young entrepreneurs, launching a series of events as well as the 'Entrepreneur Stories' podcast to inspire and support early stage founders on their entrepreneurial journey.

In 2022, leveraging our sustainability credentials and learnings, we established The Green Office Project by Banyan Workspace to assist Hong Kong companies to operate more sustainably. Today, our team engages, educates and empowers corporate teams on our climate crisis, why ESG matters and dives into industry and company specific goals, challenges and opportunities in providing workspace solutions that create an environment and culture that fosters change.

Dragonfly Asia-Pacific leverages my personal relationships across APAC, built over the last 30 years, as well as my experience working with brands to help new brands establish successfully and then expand in the region. Representing over 20 different brands, across a range of product categories, Dragonfly Asia-Pacific operates primarily through its own offices in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam where, beyond our business activities, we strive to empower local people and their community.

Spiritu HK, was set up in 2024, taking the Spirits portfolio distributed by Dragonfly Asia-Pacific and providing these brands with a standalone consumer centric umbrella and a specific focus for our fast growing liquor business.

Away from my business, I am deeply committed to the long term well-being of Hong Kong and sit on the Board of Vision 2047 Foundation. I am also passionate and committed to making a positive impact to elevate marginalised and underserved communities and particularly children. I currently sit on the Board of Directors of global NGO OneSky and proactively work with NGOs locally and internationally to facilitate and amplify their impact.

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