Brief us about the inception of your career? What were your ambitions as a teenager?
My adolescence was characterized by study and dedication to knowledge. My parents instilled in me a sense of responsibility towards others and fundamental values such as empathy, generosity and compassion. Law and finance have always fascinated me. Classical literature and the study of ancient civilizations strengthened my awareness and made me lucid in examining geopolitical issues afterwards. History defines who we are and where we come from but it is above all an essential means of analysis. Over the years my desire to participate in public life has gradually strengthened at the same time I embarked on my first entrepreneurial experiences. I have always been a pragmatic man despite my well-known artistic ambitions. I was aware that in order to act and produce a social impact I would not only count on my cultural background but I would also need financial resources. The establishment of the financial conglomerate NDB Group (Nereides de Bourbon Group) was born as a vehicle for broad-spectrum projects of international scope. The practice of foreign languages has helped me a lot throughout my career. I speak Chinese fluently, as well as English of course, and my two mother languages which are French and Italian. Working at international levels, language proficiency is not only a necessity but also a support for one’s credibility. On a political level, I work as a cultural diplomat by pursuing various missions that represent the beating heart of the multinational organization I founded. Alongside the financial group, I also founded a diplomatic club based in Paris but with a global presence under the auspices of the French government, the Nereides Club – International Cultural Diplomacy Corporation, organized as a collective of visionaries, highly committed actors, prestigious advisors and creative strategists, gathering a plurality of social impact projects, and whose desire is to rethink the model of international dialogue and cooperation by imagining the mission and interactions of a new, more respectful, and more sustainable world. The Nereides Club was founded with the aim to create an international intellectual organization, to awake a collective awareness, and to enhance the global diplomatic, cultural, and socio-economic exchanges. The Club is a round table of analysis, research, creation of global strategies and weaving of interrelations in the public and private sector. Within the Nereides Club, many topics such as international diplomatic affairs, political globalization, geopolitical framework, law, finance, macroeconomy, international cooperation, poverty, digitalization, infrastructure, industry trends and scalability, social entrepreneurship, cultural cooperation, environmental preservation, sustainability, and social impact entertainment are discussed. To date, I have devoted my life to cultural mediation, international dialogue, and cooperation between countries moved by the sincere desire to contribute to global prosperity and peace.
What are the aims and ideals that guide you as you run your company?
Being a cultural diplomat but also an investor, my motto has always been “DARE”: Disrupt, Act, Risk, Establish. I firmly believe it impossible to achieve any appreciable result without a good deal of reasonable risk taking. I firmly believe that it is impossible to achieve any appreciable result without a good deal of reasonable risk-taking, whether it relatesto the management of economic or political activities. At the corporate level, the pillars of the NDB Group are innovation and transformation, excellence, empowering people, and entrepreneurial spirit. Meanwhile, at the Nereides Club we strive for cooperation and ethics and our “Modus Operandi’ is made of a collective awareness and intelligence that enable to mobilize global actors and appears in consensus decision maker. Both at the NDB Group and the Nereides Club our models are people-centered and we aim to create a network of socially engaged people working within a sane environment inspired by freedom, fraternity, and equality which are also the values of my country, France. As Mr. Henry Ford once said: “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” Since our creation, we have focused our efforts on responsible diplomacy and we surround ourselves with individuals, companies, and organizations who share our vision, raise awareness, and offer concrete alternatives. Our emblem, the mermaid, the symbol par excellence of independence and individuality, awareness and insight, renewal, and good luck, reflects this necessary awakening face to the current global changes.
As an innovative leader, how do you manage to inspire your team to innovate and think outside the box?
I can define myself as a trailblazer in exploring business sectors that go beyond national interests. Where others see a challenge, I see an opportunity. The teams of experts who collaborate within our organization are made of confirmed directors and managers with a solid background and an evident entrepreneurial spirit. I regularly encourage my teams to adopte and mantain a disruptive spirit. Working on an international level and dealing with problems that are so different each time, my teams have developed a deep flexibility and an analytical behavior that enable us to overcome obstacles that often seem insurmountable. Our organization works as a horizontal structure in which the different departments, from the legal to the financial and commercial ones, mutually interact with fluidity and reciprocity. Furthermore, the connection of the NDB Group with the Nereides Club allows but also imposes a strong dialogue and regular interactions between all the stakeholders including the institutional and political parties. The institutional nature of most of our projects requires a remarkable spirit of dedication and resilience. Resilience is probably the value that probably animates us the most.
What were the challenges and obstacles you faced along the way?
I could name several. First of all, working on a global level, we have to face social, cultural, political and economic differences that are typical of each single country with a consequent waste of time, energy, and considerable resources. Bureaucratic procedures typical of some states often impose us long waits so the financial resources devolved to each project must take these contingencies into account. Timing can be a real challenge. Sometimes we start a new project under the leadership of a government in charge and in compliance with a given legislation but then it happens that a new government is elected, that some policies change or that new rules require us to back down, review our plans, and to adapt our plans to new norms. In this perspective, we must always show a strong sense of flexibility and to arm ourselves with a lot of patience. Indeed, my status as a diplomat comes to my rescue as being able to adapt myself to changes is an essential part of my profession. Another significant obstacle is represented by the current geopolitical phenomena as well as by the strategies pursued by contrasting political blocs worldwide. Some projects, even those with the highest economic or social potential, can risk arousing political opposition. This is the case, for example, of the ongoing market localization following the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine. In a context of strong political fragmentation, of consolidation of pre-war treaties to the detriment of neighboring countries and economic crisis, many projects risk not happening at all. It is necessary to work on both economic and political levels to secure diplomatic dialogue within the governments affected by a common project, and to make sure to positively pledge political forces to welcome it despite global strategies. When politics actions seem not to be favorable to promote peace, it is up to entrepreneurs to renew their mutual commitments with international economic actors and to make sure to cooperate even against political restrictions. I know it may seem risky and naive, but I find it much more insane and anachronistic to leave the absolute leadership of a country to politics when it produces negative results and offends the public opinion. Sovereignty is certainly expressed through our personal vote for the nomination of our leaders, but democracy also refers to common sense and requires a revolutionary spirit if necessary. Sometimes in the past history we have witnessed a wrong exercise of power. It is a fact. We have also experienced the disintegration of established relations between some countries, the genocide of others, and the indifference of those who should have raised their voices and overthrow the regime instead of letting it go ahead in exchange of political protection or for economic interests. We are accountable for the actions made by our political leaders to the extent that we legitimize them.
What sets your company apart from the rest of the market? Do you believe in diversifying?
Our organization is characterized by a decentralized but intrinsically compact and self-efficient structure. Within the eighteen divisions of our group, investments diversification matches the selfprovisioning capacity of our entities. Furthermore, the financial strength of our group rests on our ability to invest in long-terms projects only. The NDB Group is specialized in financial services and investment, luxury goods, entertainment, marketing and communication. We manage a wide portfolio of projects and companies, creating value across the different markets. Sustainability, diversity and ethics constitute the cornerstone of the NDB Group’s model and a compliance policy for its executive, associates and stakeholders. Solidity and durability are the core beliefs of our activities. Our strength lies in the entrepreneurial spirit that animates all group members at all levels. We are a brave team of leaders and we constantly project ourselves into the future by treasuring our heritage and transforming it into new experiences. We actively promote research, diversity and innovation. Excellence, endurance and transformation are the distinguishing features of our Group’s success and the unconditional values that we expect to run into the future. Our Group pursues a long-term vision that builds on the experience of our leaders and the international dimension of our network, and it stimulates creativity, synergies and excellence. This model drives the success of our Group and ensures its promising future. Innovation and Transformation are part of our DNA, we like to do things differently. At the NDB Group, our mindset thrives on creativity. It’s our lifeblood and the foundation of our business model. Our success is driven by an insatiable appetite for innovation with a disruptive spirit. Clients expect the unexpected, so we continually renew our mindset with creativity while projecting into the future and honoring our legacy. From services to products, at the NDB Group we are committed to deliver excellence. Our people create an unconventional reality. We are led by lucidity, integrity and ambition. We respect our clients and never compromise on delivering quality. Creativity and talent are the core assets of our Group and so we recognize the individual and team contribution. We continuously encourage a sense of togetherness, culture, and we provide the right tools to achieve personal and professional development. People are our greatest asset. At the NDB Group we empower our team and we constantly support reasonable risk-taking. Entrepreneurship is the foundation of our spirit and we encourage research and progress. We embrace change pioneering ambitious opportunities, we challenge ourselves and we push the boundaries while sticking to our identity and essence.
Kindly mention some of the notable recognitions and accreditations received by your person and organization?
During my career, I have received a few prestigious awards and recognitions. I would mention two awards that have been awarded me this year. The first, the Nikolai Gogol Award 2022, is a special award I received by the Ukrainian government for my diplomatic and financial commitment since the outbreak of the war and for the creation of the NDB OPERA project, a humanitarian initiative and platform for the regularization of international immigration. Due to the war, the official ceremony did not take place but the news made the rounds of national and international media. I felt very honored to receive this recognition. Later, on September 21th, I received the Who is Who International Award 2022 to the category ‘World Eminent Man in Global Diplomacy and Finance’. Every year, the Who is Who International Awards organization founded by Dimitrios Goris and Vicky Papageorgopoulou celebrates personalities from all over the world because of their social impact activities. The Who is Who International Awards is a very prestigious prize and event endorsed by the Greek Government under the auspices of the Ministry of Development and Investments, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Region of Attica. The Who is Who International Awards organization promotes values such as integrity, pathos, generosity, excellence, knowledge and role models aimed to build international unity. This year, the official ceremony took place on September 22 in an exceptional place, the lake Vouliagmeni. Highly selected guests and personalities from the field of politics, diplomacy, education, art, entrepreneurship, leadership, science and philanthropy starred on the red carpet of this exclusive event. The prize, entirely hand sculpted, is a unique work named ‘Triumph’, a symbol of victory issued by the ancient Greece and made by famous artist Odysseas Tosounidis. I felt honored to be awarded with the Who is Who International Award 2022 in Athens, the cradle of Western civilization, diplomacy, finance, philosophy, science and art.
Where do you see your organization in the years to come? How do you plan to respond to the lows that followed the pandemic?
We have built a very solid dialogue with some European countries, China and Africa. Our goal is to strengthen the alliance between the countries along the ‘silk road’. As I have often stated, political interests must not interfere with economic ones. They must promote free trades. Cultural diplomacy is the only way to success, to implement economic exchanges, and to solve global conflicts. The Covid-19 pandemic has defined a new geopolitical map and attempted international balance. If on one hand it has strengthened the national sovereignty of individual states, on the other hand it has disintegrated any strategy aimed to realize an international alliance. In such a sensitive context, we project ourselves towards the future with prudence but also with determination and a brave spirit. Being leaders, we are committed to invest our lifetime, energy and financial resources in effective cohesion plans, into waving significant relationships with global decision makers, thus contributing to the flourishment of unity, prosperity, equality and peace even against unexpected geopolitical strategies, economic changes, or wars.
What is your advice to budding entrepreneurs who wish to kick start their careers?
My humble advice is to build something for the collective well-being and not to give up in the face of difficulties. Resilience is the only way to success. We will always encounter many obstacles along the way, but a true leader knows where to direct his spears. Since my youngest age I have always been inspired by the Greek Odyssey. This ancient story teaches how to be leaders through the theme of remembrance. Ulysses needs to remember in order to go home, just as each of us needs to remember to grow so to don’t repeat the same mistakes. The Odyssey also reminds us that a good leader cannot succeed at everyone else’s expense. Personal interests must be sacrificed for the benefit of collective well-being. Good leadership promotes mutual respect and reciprocity which are also the basis of modern diplomacy.
