PEOPLE Leadership
MAKING AN IMPACT
KEVIN GAMBIR, CEO of Euro Creations, calls himself a product of his situation, working in a time of unprecedented change. “We don’t have decades to make changes, we have months,” he tells neetinder dhillon
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hen I first met Kevin Gambir he had just signed up with the family-owned business Euro Creations, a successful purveyor of high-end Italian furniture. Fresh from his first job with Dubai’s Depa Interiors, after earning a degree from the London School of Economics, he was eager to take on this new role. He exuded confidence from every pore of his six-foot frame, his enthusiasm palpable. Today, this 34-year-old CEO of Indian descent is mapping out the future of Euro Creations. His enthusiasm is still palpable, the confidence now laced with the quietude of experience. Straightforward and clear in thought, Kevin hasn’t lost his boyish charm. But he is contemplative. “You are a product of your situation. Everyone my age is working in a time with an unprecedented pace of change,” he says. “We don’t have a decade to make changes. We have months, or maybe a year if we’re lucky. Things move fast now.” It is, however, a situation he’s happy with. He’s where he wants to be, and not where he is obliged to be. “It’s hard to separate me from what I do. If you are not happy with what you do and who you are, you’ll constantly strive for something else. Of course, I want to improve, as I’m not perfect, and I will always be on that journey. I will never get there, though, as it’s not a destination, it’s a process. A decade from now, I would like to be doing what I’m happy doing and improving constantly. “Great explorers make me want to explore, and great businesspeople make me want to be better at what I do,” he adds. “People who give back to society inspire me to do better for others and be more responsible.” When Kevin joined Euro Creations, high-end furniture was the sole focus, but the company has evolved. “Our strength is in managing top Italian and European brands, but as a company we now represent the whole ecosystem. A one-stop solution entirely focused on residential projects – home automation and lighting control, decorative and architectural lighting, bathroom products, gym equipment, kitchens, wardrobes, outdoor furniture and rugs… everything short of construction materials and decorative objects.” The company portfolio bristles with leading Italian brands like Giorgetti, Malerba, Molteni&C, Natuzzi Italia, Cassina, and Calligaris, as well as Christopher Guy, Rolf Benz, Italian Technogym – “everyone wants a home gym,” he remarks – and for outdoor expressions, Royal Botania. “Every product in our portfolio is aligned to serve high-end residential customers,” he explains. “Our home automation side of the business is where we’re growing, including architectural lighting, kitchens, and wardrobes.” The branches have multiplied too, with a flagship store in Thong Lor, plus showrooms in Siam Paragon and Crystal Design Centre. Kevin believes defining one’s challenges is vital. “We want to be
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the best with regards to furniture in the premium to high-end segment of residential projects. So, everything we do reinforces that one goal. Our internal systems help us deliver that high level of service our customers expect. “More and more younger people are living by themselves and need their condos decorated,” he continues, remarking on this expanding customer base. “This new segment never existed before, but people moving out of their parents’ homes earlier, even when unmarried, is helping the business.” Another trend he’s riding is that people are spending a lot more time at home and need a space that reflects them – a trend he doesn’t attribute entirely to the pandemic. “It started earlier, but the pandemic put it on steroids. People want a space they are proud of. They see their friend’s houses and want a beautiful house too.” The responsibility is sobering though. “They come to us for help and advice, and they spend a lot of time and money on what will be with them for a long time. We want to take away the stress and make sure they are happy with our service.” But who is Kevin when he’s not representing Euro Creations? A “very private person” who loves skiing in the French Alps with his fiancée, Dounglerthai “Praew” Tatiyawongpaibul, Director of VK Garments, and the French ski town of Val d’Isère is where they head every year. “It’s a beautiful little town with great restaurants and lots of chalets you can rent for the week. I like the European Alps, which are higher than the ski slopes in Japan. Powderhounds love Japan, but that’s not me.” I am struck by Kevin’s description of himself as a ‘private person’. “People I meet at parties don’t see that side of me,” he admits. “I enjoy meeting people, and I entertain a lot – time with friends is sacrosanct – but I also like to spend a lot of time on my own. I need that. Every time I go home from work, or after a party or an event, I like to spend a couple of hours watching YouTube videos and documentaries. Just chilling by myself to recharge.” With a December wedding in the cards, Kevin is busy decorating the couple’s apartment, “I was all about minimalism, but now I’m ‘modern’, with elements of minimalism. I’ll have to blend both our preferences, and I guess we’ll evolve together.” Outside the office, Kevin tries to keep work out of the conversation but adds that, “It’s a part of who I am. In fact, a pet peeve of mine is restaurants getting the lighting design wrong.” When it comes to personal style, he sees designer brands as a convenience; a mark of a certain level of quality, character, and style that makes shopping easier. What’s “appropriate for the occasion” is his fashion mantra, while weekends see him usually in black Uniqlo T-shirts. Luxury, meanwhile, is about attention to detail. “Customer experience,” he says, “has to be a top consideration for the people who are designing the experience.”
#prestigeleadership | NOVEMBER 2021 PRESTIGE
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