The FHH Partners with Swiss Centers in China

Geneva, 31 July 2024 – The FHH Academy welcomes the Swiss Centers as distribution partner in China, another milestone coinciding with its 10th anniversary this year.

After a decade of shaping horological minds, the FHH Academy proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2024. The organisation’s impressive journey over the years has been marked by several significant achievements, all aimed at spreading and democratising watchmaking education and culture.
 

Since its founding, the FHH Academy has empowered over 35,000 alumni with the only international training programme of its kind, and officially certified over 12,000 of them, via the tireless efforts of its local trainers and distributors across 22 countries. This aspect of the FHH Academy’s organisation around external entities may be lesser known but it is nevertheless crucial to its success on such a wide scale.
 

Thus, the FHH and the Swiss Centers respective missions intersect, making this partnership all the more important. For context, the Swiss Centers are a non-profit organization serving the Swiss economy by providing adapted services for companies entering or expanding their presence in China and other Asian markets. Through the past two decades, Swiss Centers have supported more than 450 companies in setting up and operating successfully in the Chinese market. With its practical solutions and experienced team, Swiss Centers provide concrete support in operations, trade, marketing and administrative matters.
 

Tristan Barrabas, Senior FHH International Learning & Business Development Manager, said: “We are delighted to see this distribution agreement come to fruition with the Swiss Centers. The values ​​of the Swiss Centers correspond to the values ​​of the FHH and we look forward to increasing FHH Academy presence and visibility in China, thanks to a renowned service provider”.
 

Beatrice Qiu, Head of FHH Academy China at Swiss Center Shanghai, said: “Ten years ago, when the FHH Academy first came to be, China was already a major area of interest, leading the charge for the development of the Academy and for the watch industry as a whole. Today, it is imperative that the FHH maintain and grow the Academy’s presence in China, so that we may continue to service FHH member brands and other B2B partners, as well as reach ever-expanding local enthusiast audiences eager to learn more about watchmaking culture”.
 

In 2024, the FHH has hosted several events and activities highlighting its three pillars of operation; Watches and Culture by FHH, the FHH Forum, and of course the FHH Academy. “Our intention this year is to bring its next roadshow to the Chinese market, which we eagerly await as the first major event under the auspices of this new partnership”, said Aurélie Streit, FHH Vice President and founder of the FHH Academy.
 

Zhen XIAO, CEO of Swiss Centers, added: "As a biggest cluster of Swiss businesses in China, Swiss Centers are very delighted to have FHH joining the network. Watchmaking is an exemplary representation of Swiss culture, showcasing the excellence of Swiss manufacturing and innovation. We look forward to collaborating with FHH Academy and support its further development in the Chinese market.”
 

For more information on upcoming FHH Academy events and animations organized by the Swiss Centers in China, please visit their website.