Our people have deep expertise in their specific sectors of industry, are multilingual (English, Italian, French, Russian, Arabic, Armenian and basic Spanish), accustomed to the intricacies of the Italian and European way of doing business and the cultural mindset of local suppliers and foreign markets.
We are the quickest in scouting new trends and latest information and in building a profitable working relationship based on mutual trust. We are able to quickly understand our clients' business and requirements and are skilled negotiators able to obtain best terms and exclusivities where necessary.
Executive Team
Berge Oknayan - General Manager. Born an Armenian, raised in Lebanon, educated in Scotland as an Aircraft Engineer, Mr. Berge Oknayan moved to Italy in the ‘70s to establish an office in Milan which would in the years become one of the most important worldwide trading groups for fashion, interior furnishings and fine products out of Italy and Europe.
Arda Najarian - Head of Fashion & Lifestyle. With 30 years experience as a Fashion Buyer and a comprehensive knowledge of every aspect of the European fashion industry, Ms. Najarian brings considerable value to our international client's buying team. Well travelled and well informed she is able to anticipate the evolution of the market, its cultural moods and respond to each client’s specific and particular requirements. She directs the fashion buying office, overseeing Assistant Buyers and Merchandisers.
Vram Oknayan - Head of Business Development. He has the responsibility of the overall business development of VIB, its brands and products on our local markets. Vram joins his father Berge following a successful career in management consulting. He is a founding member of Accenture in the Middle East, where he led the Strategy & Transformation practice and developed the business, local presence, people and capabilities in the region across all industries. As a Senior Manager in Accenture he has advised executives in larger organizations and governments in strategic matters and designed major transformation programmes. In VIB he has led the expansion into new markets and growth of the portfolio of clients and brands. Vram holds a degree with honours in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from the University of Edinburgh.
Marco Chobanyan - Head of Operations and Back Office. With over 15 years experience in VIB, Mr. Chobanyan heads the company operations and oversees the back office, supply chain and logistics. He is educated as a Medical Doctor from the State University of Yerevan, coming to Milan in the '90s.
Walter Grassotti - Head of Accounts and Financial Control. A chartered accountant, Mr. Grassotti joined VIB in 2000, bringing several decades of experience, to attentively manage the company accounting and control the financial direction of the Group.
Shant Oknayan - Consultant. He consults to VIB's principals on new opportunities in the Middle East. Shant currently heads the strategy and operations of Google in Middle East, North Africa and Eastern European regions. Previously he was a Senior Associate in leading management consulting firm Booz & Co, developing transformational strategic plans on a national scale. Shant holds an M.B.A. from MIT Sloan School of Management and a Masters in Electrical & Electronical Engineering from Imperial College, London.