The event kicked off with a captivating fireside chat with Francis Belin, the President of Christie’s Asia Pacific, in conversation with Kenny Lam, co-founder of Project Melo. The entire talk was initiated and moderated by Krishank Agarwal, our very own member of the Melo social community.
During the fireside chat, Francis shared insights into his early career trajectory, starting as a consultant at McKinsey. He expressed his desire for a job that provided exposure and cross-country opportunities and discussed how his journey led him to join Richemont in Tokyo, where he worked with luxury watches in the retail industry. This experience proved to be a fantastic opportunity that propelled him into a completely different realm, challenging him to reconsider the “true essence of learning”.
Francis shared his leadership journey at Christie's Asia Pacific, where he reflected on his transition from being an engagement manager at McKinsey to leading a team at Richemont, Tokyo, and emphasized that leadership is a learned skill and an ongoing process of self-reflection. Francis confessed that when he first had to adapt to a new environment, including learning about the art market, auction industry, and Japanese. He overcame the challenges with having emotional support from colleagues, family and friends. He also underscored the significance of creating a work culture that fosters teamwork, reduces stress, and empowers individuals to go the extra mile. He described leadership as a collective effort that provides emotional security and a safety net for team members, rather than a one-man job.
To me, this was a significant learning moment. Hearing someone like Francis, who holds such a prominent position, express genuine concern for the mental well-being of his team was truly eye-opening. It not only highlighted his compassionate nature but also shed light on the progressive culture at Christie's.
In many organizations, especially those of such stature, the focus is often solely on achieving goals and targets, sometimes at the expense of employee well-being.
I really felt this moment of the talk helped me reflect and learn the value of prioritizing the well-being of team members both in a work and school environment, as the point Francis made has shown me that leadership is not just about driving results but also about creating an environment where individuals feel supported and nurturing meaningful relationships.
When asked a question about how he dealt with imposter syndrome, Francis responded by sharing how he found motivation from the art and luxury masterpieces around him and the deep sense of purpose entrusted to him by collectors. He emphasized the significance of these masterpieces, as they serve as representations of historical narratives across various categories. With Christie's handling around 30,000 objects each year, Francis spoke passionately about the sense of responsibility that comes with such valuable pieces and how understanding the importance of these objects helps him overcome any imposter syndrome doubts he might have.
In response to a question about maintaining sanity amidst his hectic work and general advice for students in terms of work-life balance, Francis highlighted the importance of a good diet, regular exercise, and spending quality time with family and friends. He acknowledged that perfection is an elusive concept and compared life to a circus, where one must keep an eye on multiple spinning plates, and even if one of them falls, it’s key to still have some balance.
In addition to underscoring the value of a good diet and spending time with loved ones, Francis delved into his passion for cycling and its role in preserving his well-being amidst his demanding work schedule. He explained that one of the key reasons he got into cycling was the respite it provided from the constant need to be connected and accessible via his phone.
Francis described how riding a bike for an hour without checking his phone allows him to detach from the digital world and focus solely on the present moment.
During the conversation, I had the opportunity to inquire about Christie's approach to ensuring the ethical transaction of the art pieces they handle. I personally asked this question as I wanted more clarity on the whole supply chain of the art world and how it worked from Christie’s perspective, as I have read and seen some instances where cultural art was essentially stolen or the transaction of the art had a dubious origin.
In response, Francis provided valuable insights into the rigorous process implemented by Christie's to safeguard the integrity of their curation and ensure secure and ethical transactions.
Francis emphasized that Christie's holds a steadfast commitment to upholding ethical standards and scrutinizing the origin and authenticity of each artwork they present. He explained that if there are any doubts or uncertainties regarding the legitimacy or provenance of a piece, Christie's takes a principled stance and rejects it. This demonstrates their dedication to maintaining the highest ethical standards in the art market, which did help put me at ease in terms of the ethics of the handling of such prized cultural artifacts.
When asked about the value of Hong Kong art and its recognition, Francis expressed that art should not be judged solely on instant recognition. He spoke about the growth of the art ecosystem in Hong Kong, its position as a world-class art hub, and the efforts to promote local Hong Kong artists while supporting various initiatives and charities.
In the discussion, he also touched upon the art market, mentioning that Hong Kong is the third-largest art market after New York and London. He stressed the need to nurture the growing ecosystem in Hong Kong and to foster the participation of local talents .
In concluding the fireside chat, Francis shared insights into integrating into his team during his tenure at Richemont in Tokyo. He highlighted the importance of respecting cultural norms while addressing issues and emphasized the ability to adapt and communicate effectively to achieve goals.
The fireside chat with Francis Belin, Kenny Lam, and Krishank Agarwal was an engaging and enlightening session, providing attendees with valuable insights into leadership, the art and luxury world, and the noteworthiness of cultural understanding in a global context.
After the chat, we had the opportunity to discover and look at different art pieces showcased at Christie's!
