PROFILE
With Japan CEO experiences for retail luxury companies such as Louis Vuitton, DFS, Tesla, Coach, Estee Lauder, in Japan, Nicolas Villeger counts close to 30 years of Market Entry, Business and Brand Management experience in Japan and Asia, building and expanding business for large luxury retail corporations.
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In 2017, Nicolas set-up his own advisory company, TRADENTRY, to support premium DTC Brands willing to invest and grow in Japan, or Japanese firms willing to accelerate retail growth outside of their home market; specializing in selective retail business planning operations, distribution strategy and general management advisory.
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Nicolas has lived in Tokyo since 1996. A French native, he is fluent in Japanese, holds a Japan permanent residence permit, understands various Asian local cultures, with successful proven experience in building teams from scratch in Japan, South-East Asia, Korea and Taiwan.
He is known for his entrepreneurial leadership, diagnostic and business development skills, as well as extensive knowledge of customer experience and multi-channel distribution operations for prestige goods (department store, outlet, flagship standalone, travel retail, e-commerce). His personal reputation and network of contacts within the Japan and Asia business community is very solid.
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Board Member of the Foundation Tara Ocean for Japan (since 2023)
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Board Member of the French Chamber of Commerce (since 2022).
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Corporate Advisor, Marubeni Corporation (since 2022)
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Certified Chair from the Advisory Board Centre (2020)
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Alumni of Board of Directors Training Institute on Japanese governance (2017).
Holds an advanced master degree in Innovation Management from Ecole Centrale (Paris, 1995) and a master degree in Business Management from ISC (Paris, 1994).
See below for detailed professional background.
2021 - 2022
LOUIS VUITTON (LVMH GROUP), PRESIDENT & CEO, JAPAN
2017- 2020
DFS (LVMH GROUP), MANAGING DIRECTOR, JAPAN & KOREA
2015 - 2017
TESLA, VICE-PRESIDENT OPERATIONS, JAPAN & KOREA
2010 - 2015
COACH, PRESIDENT & CEO, ASIA
2007- 2010
LONGCHAMP, JAPAN CEO & REGIONAL DIRECTOR NORTH ASIA
2003 - 2007
ESTEE LAUDER GROUP, BOARD DIRECTOR & BRAND GENERAL MANAGER, JAPAN
​1997 - 2003