An ESSEC MBA graduate, Francis Gros has over 20 years of international experience in the luxury goods and fragrances industries. This includes overseeing the Japanese market for make-up brand Bourjois, developing the fashion accessories business for Mantero Seta in Italy, where he became the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, and as Managing Director of niche fragrance and scented candles business Diptyque in Paris.

In 2007 Francis joined Luxottica and became responsible for the eyewear company’s dedicated worldwide Travel Retail division. Under Francis’ leadership Luxottica Travel Retail has expanded rapidly, with regional offices established in London, Miami and Singapore, quadrupling the division’s sales inside five years. Francis has also taken an active role in promoting the wider sunglasses category, which ranks as the fastest-growing category in travel retail over the last four years.

In 2013 he was assigned the further responsibility of overlooking the Group’s Global Channels Division, including sales to licensed brands’ boutiques as well as department stores worldwide.

Francis has been a member of the TFWA Management Committee since October 2012.