Partner
Stefano Loconte
Umberto Verga
Antonella Asnaghi
Jean Charles Viens
Maurizio Dallocchio
Rischa Paterlini
Franz Botré
Attorney
Stefano Loconte
Managing Partner of Loconte&Partners – Law and Tax Firm, specialized in heritage’s management and planning and assistance to HNWIs, with offices in Italy and abroad. He is an Extraordinary Professor of Tax Law at the LUM University of Casamassima (BA) and Scientific Director of MADEM and MIFL of the Business School of the same University. Furthermore, he is the Scientific Director of the Master in Wealth Management and Estate Planning at Wolters Kluwer Ipsoa School of Education. Finally, he holds the positions of Vice President of the Technical Commission Wealth Advisory and Private Insurance of AIPB – Italian Private Banking Association and Vice President of the Italian branch of STEP – Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
Fields of expertise
Collectible assets and law: two seemingly distant worlds whose connection is becoming increasingly close. The legal and tax profiles that characterize activities in the art market concern the succession aspects related to the transfer of artworks and collectible assets, but also the portfolio diversification with alternative asset classes, contractual activities, and even tax consultancy. The aim of legal and tax consultancy is to assist individuals and industry professionals- as artists, family offices, foundations, gallery owners, banking institutions, cultural institutions, fiduciary companies and trusts – in managing, enhancing, preserving, protecting, and transmitting their artistic heritage and collectible assets, through a qualified and personalized service.
The instruments that can be used to achieve the above purposes are various (the trust, the foundation, the simple company, the private museum) each with different functions and characteristics.
LUXURY WATCH EXPERT
Umberto Verga
Umberto Verga, grew up as a child in close contact with the world of watchmaking that would soon become the defining part of his entire life. In fact, as early as the early 1980s he began to frequent the Verga store on Via Mazzini, founded in 1947 by his father Valerio and grandfather Luigi, and in 1984 he officially joined the family business as the third generation.
He developed an ever-increasing aptitude in contacts with the public, soon going from pupil to pillar of the family store.
Many achievements have been made by Umberto Verga, all united by the tradition and passion that have been part of Verga 1947’s history for generations.
Fields of expertise
Forty-five years of experience in haute horlogerie combined with great passion allow us to offer truly expert and competent consultancy in the field of haute horlogerie, capable of all-round analysis of the scenario of modern and vintage luxury watches in the Italian and international markets, recognizing its value and identifying its projection over two or three years.
A personalized and highly qualified service, built ad hoc for the specific needs of the client, the collector or those who want to enter this world for the first time, accompanying advice in choosing and estimating their contemporary or vintage watch.
An almost financial counseling, able to suggest the best solutions with the aim of ensuring the client’s financial and emotional well-being.
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MEDIA RELATIONS EXPERT
Antonella Asnaghi
Antonella Asnaghi has been involved in corporate communication and media relations for over 20 years. In 2004 she founded antonella asnaghi & associati in Milan, an agency that deals with Public Relations, Press Office, Institutional Affairs and Event organization, developing strictly Tailor-Made communication strategies.
The agency has always worked for clients pertaining to the luxury, art, high-end watchmaking, culture, charity, fashion and design sectors.
The agency has collaborated over the years with clients such as Rolex, Bracco, Bracco Foundation, Cologni Arts and Crafts Foundation, Farmafactoring Foundation, Stefano Ricci, Gaetano Aloisio, FNA Concept, and In&Aut Festival.
Fields of expertise
Solid contacts, knowledge of luxury markets and the most current trends are important characteristics for moving confidently in this context and gaining visibility and the best conditions for successful operations in this environment.
Public relations allow you to create buzz and generate interest among potential buyers, as well as relationships with media, influencers and opinion leaders can help you strategically gain visibility when a deal needs to be known, such as in the case of major sales or auctions.
In addition, communication and public relations are critical to convey clear and accurate information about the collectibles and the conditions of the auction. This helps build trust among potential buyers and ensure that they are well informed before making an offer.
Transparency and clarity of information also increase the likelihood of obtaining competitive bids and maximizing the value of collectibles. In some cases, it may prove strategic to communicate the assets to a wider audience through the organization of events to present the collections to prospective buyers.
In addition, the knowledge and habit of working and engaging with other industry professionals, entrepreneurs, collectors, or art curators can prove very useful in strategic asset management.
MARCHAND AND INTERNATIONAL FINE WINES EXPERT
JC Viens
JC is a foodie and a storyteller, deeply passionate about wine culture.
He provides consultancy in wine communication and works with wine professionals to help them strengthen their authority and international perspective and to guide the growth of their business.
He also works on strategy, content development and implementation.
At age 25, he founded his first company in Hong Kong. Today he holds the WSET Diploma Level 4 (Merit) for 12 years, he is a WSET Certified Wine Educator as well as a “WSET Approved Program Provider.”
In January 2019, he was appointed Greater China Ambassador for Franciacorta and Master of the Hong Kong Delegation of the Order of the Knights of the Truffle and Alba Wines. An expert wine judge for the Decanter Asia Wine Awards and 5-Star Wines (Vinitaly), he is a Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy.
Fields of expertise
Fine wine collecting (Fine Wine) and investment optimization: two seemingly distant worlds whose connection is becoming increasingly close. The legal and tax profiles that characterize the activities peculiar to the Fine Wine market concern the successor aspects related to the transfer of collections, but also collection management, liquidation or acquisition activities, and even tax advice. Fine Wine’s activities, therefore, aim to assist private individuals and practitioners–wine collectors, family offices, foundations, wine shops, restaurants, banking institutions, cultural institutions, trust companies and trusts–in in managing, enhancing, preserving, protecting, and transmitting the Fine Wine’s heritage, by providing a qualified and personalized service.
The tools that can be used to achieve the above purposes are various each with different functions and characteristics.
UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR
Maurizio Dallocchio
Maurizio Dallocchio is Professor of Corporate Finance at Bocconi University and Bocconi School of Management, where he has held the role of Dean from 2003 to 2007. At the same university, he was also Director of the Master’s Program in Corporate Finance and Director of the Corporate Finance Area. A certified public accountant and auditor, he is a partner and founder of DGPA & Co., a consulting boutique active in corporate finance and M&A.
Author of a hundred publications, including “Corporate Finance,” a text adopted worldwide in MBA and MSC courses in finance. He has researched and taught at various international institutions. He has held and still holds senior roles in the governance of domestic and international organizations.
Fields of expertise
Collectibles are increasingly regarded as investment instruments (asset class) of growing importance. Those who own valuable assets or collections must treat them like any other investment, starting with an awareness of their value and the effectiveness/opportunity of their increase in each investor’s investment portfolio.
In today’s landscape, optimal succession management for collectibles requires a thorough understanding of international financial instruments and rules.
This is because, in an increasingly interconnected world, numerous variables can affect financial transactions, with regulations and currencies changing frequently, so understanding these dynamics is vital. This is particularly relevant to transactions related to the succession of collectibles, as such transactions can be significantly affected by the global financial market situation.
In addition, knowledge of the rules of the stock markets of various countries enables more effective succession planning decisions and the proper evaluation of the financial implications of different options. Managing the risks associated with financial transactions is another crucial aspect of succession management. As large sums of money change hands in different currencies, clients may be exposed to foreign exchange and market risks.
CURATOR, CRITIC AND ART EXPERT
Rischa Paterlini
Rischa Paterlini is an independent curator with two decades of experience managing high-profile private Italian collections with international scope. In addition to organizing and curating exhibitions, she continues to research the new art scene toward art forms of social appeal, working with artists in the realization of projects.
She is co-creator of the IN PRACTICE project, dedicated to young emerging artists. Since 2018, she has been teaching Art Economics and Management for Art at NABA-New Academy of Fine Arts in Milan. Since June 2021, she has been a member of the Roll of Surveyors and Experts of the CCIIA of MI and MB.
Fields of expertise
Curating private art collections consists of a personalized and highly qualified service built specifically for the collector’s needs. Combining Art Advisory and Art Collection Management activities, the client is supported in every aspect of managing, preserving, and enhancing their art collection. Drawing on specific skills, the curator is responsible for the historical and artistic study of the works in the collection, filing, cataloging, and enhancing them through exhibitions, publications, and the creation of social content. Through research and careful analysis of the market, it assists clients in ‘buying and selling works of art through auctions or private individuals.
Collaborates with artists, gallerists, and public institutions on the arrangement of works and communication through editorial materials; manages their lending from a logistical and insurance perspective.
These services are also complemented by support in digitizing art collections through specific platforms designed to respond in a timely manner to the demands of a dynamic market, facilitating the interaction, sharing and enjoyment of artworks and art collections.
PUBLISHER, EDITOR AND ART DIRECTOR
Franz Botré
Franz Botré began as a typographer,, printer and graphic designer. In 1980 he became editor and art director of the monthly magazine Gente Viaggi (Rusconi). He then moved to Rizzoli, while from his own Studio he created Gran Turismo, Orologi da Polso and Alfa Romeo World.
From 1991 to 2001 he is at Class Editori, deputy editor of the monthly magazine Class and creator and editor of Gentleman.
He founded Swan Group in 2001, whereby he launched Monsieur and Spirito diVino. In 2010 he creates Mestieri d’Arte&Design with Franco Cologni. In 2015 he relaunches Arbiter. In 2016 he creates Kairós and in 2020 Mente, Mano e Materia.
Fields of expertise
It is easy to see how years of experience at the helm of a publishing house with a focus on publications devoted to passion goods, such as vintage cars or artworks, watches or great collections, from wines to stamps to tarot cards, can be a source of knowledge capable of making a difference in the analysis of situations related to succession activities.
Immediately understanding and assessing the rarity and authenticity of these goods, as well as their historical and artistic value, as well as close connections, an extensive network of contacts, and mastery of the markets in which these products are told and traded, can facilitate the search for interested experts, buyers, or collectors and maximize profits from any disposals, while also enabling reliable analyses of the future prospects for appreciation for items such ascars, watches, art, and other collections.
Knowing the trends, mechanisms and players in these markets is critical in order to consistently position collections and maximize their value in the marketplace.