Sylvie Freund-Pickavance is a strategic leader specialising in luxury and experiential retail with extensive international experience across Asia, North America and Europe. Currently, she serves as the Global Strategy and Business Development Director at Value Retail, for The Bicester Collection portfolio of 12 luxury shopping destinations in Europe, China and the US. She was recognized in the power list of the British Luxury Federation’s Walpole power list under the innovators category. She joined The Bicester Collection in 2009 as the Managing Director for Bicester Village. Over the years, she expanded her role to include Fidenza Village, Kildare Village, and La Vallée Village. Prior to joining The Bicester Collection, Sylvie was CEO of Paris – based lingerie brand Princesse tam-tam, succeeding the founders when they sold the business to Fast Retailing. Before that, she spent 13 years with Cartier in Asia and North America running their retail and marketing divisions, before joining the venture between De Beers and LVMH to launch De Beers Jewellers worldwide. In addition to mentoring young designers, Sylvie also serves on several boards including Glasgow Caledonian University, the Association of International Retail, Original Fibers and is a Foreign Trade Advisor to the French Government.