The family-owned and managed business VALDIVIA LTD was established in 1975 by Annelis Capelvenere. Today the business is run by Annelis’ daughter Claudia. Claudia Capelvenere joined Valdivia Ltd in 1995 after graduating from University in London followed by a year studying and working in Italy and France. Claudia speaks fluent English, Italian, Danish, French, simple German and can get by with her basic Cantonese at the local markets and with the taxi-drivers. Claudia grew up in HK (she arrived at the age of 1) and in her spare-time enjoys a variety of sports activities such as golf, tennis, swimming and trail-running. Over the years Claudia has been commissioned by local HK restaurant groups to educate shareholders on Italian wines before completing their wine lists. Over the years Valdivia has conducted wine tastings for various societies such as the Medical, Law, Wine etc., and before the days of “official Sommeliers” arriving in HK, Claudia was often invited to sit on wine tasting panels for various wine-competitions and wine-magazines.

Valdivia strives to source their portfolio wines from smaller independent and family-owned producers as well as from larger, world-renowned wineries. Valdivia carries over 500 different wines ranging from the Northern Alpine regions down to the sunny Mediterranean Islands as well as award-winning wines from Marlborough New Zealand, Great Southern Australia, Mendoza Argentina, Kent England, Elqui Valley Chile. In 2011 Valdivia was honoured to be awarded by “Vinitaly” for “its significant contribution in the promotion and education of Italian wines in HK.” With Claudia’s passionate, experienced and extensive wine knowledge (she is a WSET holder), together with the company’s 40+ years’ market experience, Valdivia is known as the forerunner on the market and today is HK’s oldest wine importing company.

Ms. Suzanne Pearson joined Rabobank in March 2010 and is responsible for the management of legal risk in the Asia Region across five jurisdictions double hatting as Head of Legal, Hong Kong. Suzanne is a seasoned finance lawyer and has been practising law for 29 years. She has worked in London, Singapore and Hong Kong with the international law firm Allen & Overy amongst others. She has been based in Asia since 1996, in private practice for 15 years including as a partner for five years in an international law firm and as Asia Regional General Counsel for Fortis Bank as well as Rabobank for the past 13 years. She has much managerial and project management experience, runs legal teams and provides legal support in a wide range of areas. She is a member of the Rabobank Asia Managing Committee and as such very much enjoys participating in the wider strategic agenda and business management of Rabobank in Asia including the promotion and support of diversity improvement initiatives.