Francis Gouten, former CEO of Richemont Asia-Pacific will be the new Advisor for ADITUS on its Advisory Board.

Being based in Hong Kong for 25 years, Francis Gouten has acquired a keen understanding of the luxury market in the region. In addition to his extensive years of experience in the luxury retail scene in Asia, his well-established network with major players in the industry will prove vital during the merchant acquisition and retail strategy phase of Aditus’ roll-out next year.

In his new role on the Advisory Board of Aditus, Gouten will bring valuable experience towards introducing new segment of crypto-affluent customers to the luxury lifestyle. Gouten cites the strong “founding team with key industrial experience” as a reason for his interest in a venture with Aditus.

As Aditus is the first luxury lifestyle segment to establish a platform for crypto-affluents, Gouten sees that there is a niche to be filled on the global market, and the timing is right where Aditus can flourish.

The newly established Aditus serves to bridge the gap between crypto-affluents and luxury merchants through a privacy-centric decentralised network. Aditus integrates encryption, smart contracts and payment gateways that lets Crypto-users enjoy direct access to the world of luxury goods, all while preserving the privacy of their data.

While the role of risk-taker is not completely a new territory for Gouten and his instincts point to being ready for anything including changes in the way we consume luxury goods and services.

Being a veteran of the luxury industry, Gouten has held numerous key roles: he has helmed Richemont Asia Pacific as the first Richemont subsidiary in China with a roster of Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Alfred Dunhill, IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre under his care.

And within Cartier, he has been a General Manager of Cartier France before moving on to Piaget International as its CEO. During his career with Cartier, he was instrumental in reinvigorating the fortunes of the French luxury brand in the 1970s, expanding its presence as a powerhouse and a stalwart in major capital cities, with boutiques featuring iconic offerings, upscale trappings and impeccably well-mannered staff.

Despite having retired from Richemont in 2006, he is still very much involved with Gouten Consulting, a consultancy firm he established to help luxury brands with their marketing and strategic development in Asia-Pacific, while also aiding luxury real estate developers to position their new developments within Greater China.

Key clients include Mandarin Oriental Taipei, Raymond Weil, Max Mara, Pernod Ricard Asia and many more.

Gouten doesn’t lose sight of the fact that he has had very strong and supportive partners who have been with him through the decades.

For more information, please visit www.aditus.net and www.goutenconsulting.net.