22:35
Faizan
Fila is one of the most popular sports brands in the world and the brains behind the Australian-New Zealand operation, is a former banker, Silvano Merlatti, whose official title is Chairman of SM Brands.
Silvano was born in Savigliano (Cuneo) on July 28, 1964. He is married to Emanuela and they have two children ages 14 and 16, both of whom were born in Hong Kong. Silvano started his career as an employee at Banca Commerciale Italiana, the biggest Italian bank at the time. After completing a rigorous training comprising four years of studies and secondments, he was posted to the International Division of the Head Office which was responsible for the Russian and Chinese areas. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Silvano's talents came to the fore when he had the possibility to interact with the CEO of the bank and the CFOs of all the major customers of the bank. His brilliant management skills were on show and he was rewarded with a transfer to the Hong Kong branch.
Although only 27 he was the youngest Credit Officer of the foreign service at Banca Commerciale.
In 1994 Fila was one of the most important clients of the bank in Hong Kong. Silvano's professionalism and competence impressed Fila's Managing Director and he was asked to work for this major international company. Silvano started working for Fila in Hong Kong in 1995. His immediate duties included taking care of the financial sector of all Fila branches in Asia. Silvano was then later appointed Director of Sourcing and also became responsible for sales in Asia.
Silvano Merlatti is one of those people who thrive on challenges. This has become even more apparent during his long and impressive career. His greatest asset and what adds so much strength to his character, is his ability to function at his maximum, even when under pressure. Hong Kong, certainly, in the Nineties, was a vibrant and fascinating city, and proved to be a perfect place for Silvano to demonstrate his professional qualities. Over time however, life in Hong Kong changed dramatically. It became a city suffocated by pollution and the frenetic pace of its lifestyle was not suitable for what Silvano considered, to be ideal to raise his family.
Silvano was born in Savigliano (Cuneo) on July 28, 1964. He is married to Emanuela and they have two children ages 14 and 16, both of whom were born in Hong Kong. Silvano started his career as an employee at Banca Commerciale Italiana, the biggest Italian bank at the time. After completing a rigorous training comprising four years of studies and secondments, he was posted to the International Division of the Head Office which was responsible for the Russian and Chinese areas. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Silvano's talents came to the fore when he had the possibility to interact with the CEO of the bank and the CFOs of all the major customers of the bank. His brilliant management skills were on show and he was rewarded with a transfer to the Hong Kong branch.
Although only 27 he was the youngest Credit Officer of the foreign service at Banca Commerciale.
In 1994 Fila was one of the most important clients of the bank in Hong Kong. Silvano's professionalism and competence impressed Fila's Managing Director and he was asked to work for this major international company. Silvano started working for Fila in Hong Kong in 1995. His immediate duties included taking care of the financial sector of all Fila branches in Asia. Silvano was then later appointed Director of Sourcing and also became responsible for sales in Asia.
Silvano Merlatti is one of those people who thrive on challenges. This has become even more apparent during his long and impressive career. His greatest asset and what adds so much strength to his character, is his ability to function at his maximum, even when under pressure. Hong Kong, certainly, in the Nineties, was a vibrant and fascinating city, and proved to be a perfect place for Silvano to demonstrate his professional qualities. Over time however, life in Hong Kong changed dramatically. It became a city suffocated by pollution and the frenetic pace of its lifestyle was not suitable for what Silvano considered, to be ideal to raise his family.
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