Moderators & Facilitators

Confirmed moderators, in alphabetical order:

Ann Berry

CEO

Threadneedle, USA

Ann Berry is the Executive Chair of private equity-owned Allure Beauty Concepts, as well as a global business TV commentator on the BBC, Bloomberg & CNBC and the Lead Markets Analyst at Morning Brew (owned by Axel Springer). Ann is the founder of advisory firm Threadneedle and General Partner of its technology-focused Opportunity Fund, backed by Alexis Ohanian. She was Chief Investment Officer of Wheelhouse multimedia and, from 2017 to 2021, served as Partner & Investment Committee member at global private equity firm Cornell Capital. Ann spent 11 years at Goldman Sachs in London & New York and, across her career, she has deployed $10+ billion acquiring companies in the consumer and other sectors. In 2019 through 2020, Ann was CEO of hospitality services company PureStar, executing on a turnaround of the 6,000-person pan-American business. Ann has served on the boards of multiple public and private corporations and is an alumna of Cambridge University and Harvard Business School.

Gary Thatcher

CEO & Co-Founder

The Retail Summit, UK

With over 13 years' experience in the B2B conference industry and having produced market-leading events across the globe, Gary Thatcher identified an opportunity to create a world class global retail event in Dubai alongside a vast digital retail community. Gary strives to do things differently by creating value, listening to his customers, and producing global events and content that puts experience and satisfaction first. He facilitates discussion amongst the industries brightest minds and is renowned for bringing the retail world together to discuss the convergence of retail with technology, experience, and hospitality.

Simon Susman

Honorary President

Woolworths, South Africa

Simon Susman is a highly accomplished business executive with a remarkable career in the retail industry. He played a pivotal role in the success of Woolworths, where his tenure at Woolworths spanned several decades, during which he held various executive positions, including Chief Executive and later Non-Executive Chairman. Simon's Under his leadership, the company experienced significant growth. His commitment to sustainability and social responsibility is evident through his initiation of the "Good business journey" program at Woolworths, which emphasized sustainable practices. Beyond Woolworths, he has extended his expertise to other esteemed organizations. He currently serves as the Chairman of the London-based Virgin Active fitness business and chairs the Dubai-based Al Tayer Retail Board. Simon's academic background includes a matriculation from St. Andrews College in Grahamstown and in 1969 the University of Cape Town.