Cover Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly is taking the Jebsen Group into the future (Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong)
Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly is taking the Jebsen Group into the future (Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong)
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Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly has spent the last ten years at Jebsen Group, climbing the ranks from director of marketing and business development at the Jebsen office in Shanghai to CEO in Hong Kong
With a passion for cultivating talent and collaboration, Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly leads Jebsen Group, which includes four business lines: Jebsen Motors, Jebsen Beverage, Jebsen Consumer and Jebsen Capital. With more than 200 brands in the portfolio, Mensdorff-Pouilly certainly has his hands full. He shares with Tatler his passion for sustainability and why family time is of utmost importance.
How does your business make a difference?
Jebsen has been committed to sustainability and community values for almost 130 years, and it’s something we’re really proud of. We’re honoured to be the caretakers of [Jebsen beer] Blue Girl, a brand that’s loved by people of all ages in Hong Kong. For us, it’s all about making a positive impact on the environment and the communities we serve. That’s what sets us apart.
Who is Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly in five words?
Curious, competitive, a family man.
What do you think are the key qualities that make a successful business leader?
Adaptability, strategic thinking, and the ability to inspire and motivate others.
Above Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly (Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong)
Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly (Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong)
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What is your leadership philosophy?
My leadership philosophy is centred on empowering and inspiring people. I believe in unlocking the potential of individuals by providing them with the resources and support they need to excel. Leading by example, sharing a compelling vision and fostering a collaborative environment are crucial to driving an organisation forward.
When making decisions, I focus on three important things: putting the customer first, being innovative and prioritising sustainability. Our success relies on understanding and meeting our customers’ needs. By encouraging new ideas and being creative, we can stay ahead of our competitors and provide value. Additionally, we aim to make choices that are sustainable and take into account the interests of our stakeholders and the environment.
How do you balance your professional life with your personal life?
Whatever I do, I give 100 per cent full focus. For instance, my daughters and I are early birds, which is perfect because I can wake up early each morning to play with them before I go to work. To me, family time is precious, so I make sure to spend time with them every day.
Is there a book that has had a profound impact on you?
An author that has a profound influence on my thinking is Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl. His book, Man’s Search for Meaning, is a gem. It delves into three sources of meaning: finding purpose in work; love; and summoning courage during life’s toughest moments. It’s a powerful read that resonates deeply with me.
Above Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly (Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong)
Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly (Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong)
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What makes you happiest about the work that you do?
What brings me joy in my work is the collaborative process—building something together with others. Whether it’s shaping a project, nurturing talent or fostering personal growth, there is immense satisfaction in seeing people evolve.
For example, when I was living in Shanghai between 2014 and 2016, we had a young management trainee, Vicky, who clearly had talent and ambition. She began her career with Jebsen Motors, where she rose up to the role of digital marketing manager, then when I established Jebsen Capital, our investment arm, I offered her a chance at a completely new role in the new business. Even though she didn’t have the relevant background, I thought she had the potential and the aptitude to learn quickly and to excel. She is now doing extremely well as a senior portfolio manager at Jebsen Capital. Witnessing such progress is very encouraging to me. I thrive in environments where companies incubate growth, where we promote and develop individuals from within. What also keeps me going is the culture our people bring. Our external partners recognise our unique culture. It is that special vibe that transcends mere profit. It’s about creating a legacy—a company that’s not just for shareholders, but for future generations.
Can you share any exciting projects that are in the pipeline at Jebsen?
Since last year, we have been building Hong Kong’s largest online and offline pets platform. We bought two amazing companies, ADP Group and Vetopia. ADP is one of the largest pet food and supplies retailers in Hong Kong and is best known to pet parents for its retail chain brands Q-Pets and Red Carrot. Vetopia is the leading e-commerce platform in Hong Kong that offers veterinary pet foods, pet supplements, accessories and pet care products.
We are also paving the way for brands like Austrian bicycle brand Woom to enter the Chinese market. It is a lot of work, but also what we are good at. It involves brand building for the local market, finding local partners, leveraging existing channels and co-creating tailored market solutions.
What is one thing that most people would be surprised to learn about you?
My wife and I are proud parents of two adopted daughters from Hong Kong.
Credits
Photography: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision across social, digital and print, and reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and leaders across business, style and the arts. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she also drives the planning and execution of Tatler's flagship IPs, curating star-studded events and building the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, crafting communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
