Bill Russo is the Shanghai-based Founder and CEO of Automobility Limited, a strategy and investment advisory firm helping its clients to create the future of mobility. His over 35 years of experience includes 15 years as an automotive executive, including 14 years of experience in China and Asia. He has also worked nearly 12 years in the electronics and information technology industries. He has worked as an advisor and consultant for numerous multinational and local Chinese firms in the formulation and implementation of their global market and product strategies.

In his current role, Bill advises start-ups, corporations and investors on how to maximize their participation in China’s Automobility Revolution. In order to achieve success, he believes they must expand their focus from the product (the automobile) to the utility derived from the product (“automobility”), and create a business model and digital ecosystem optimized to provide digitally enabled solutions for both car owners and mobility services users.

Bill was previously the regional head of Chrysler in North East Asia, where he successfully negotiated agreements with partners and obtained required approvals from the China government to bring six new vehicle programs to the market in a three-year period, while concurrently establishing an infrastructure for local sourcing and sales distribution.

Liqing Shao is the Senior & Consulting Engineer (Investment) at CATARC. After years’ of research and studies into EV industry and technology trends, she is commissioned by multiple domestic OEMs every year to take lead in research projects related to company strategy, product planning and technology development. She is also the recipient of Technology Achievements Award at CATARC for seven consecutive years. She obtained her MS in Engineering from Tianjin University in July, 2008.

Yu Zhang is the founder of AutoForesight. He has 20 years China automotive industry and market research experience.
Prior to AutoForesight, Mr. Zhang was the Managing Director of a Detroit based global auto industry forecasting firm (CSM Worldwide) for 7 years, in charge of company operation, Greater China light vehicle forecasting, OEM strategy research & consulting. He was also the Director of Automotive Consulting business in Asia Pacific area for the combined operations of IHS/CSM in 2010.

Prior to joining the Detroit forecasting firm, he has worked as research chief for Automotive Resources Asia, Ltd. in Beijing for 5 years, where he led in-depth market studies for major OEMs, and personally interviewed more than 500 dealer sales managers/general managers, local auto experts across over 20 provinces.

He is a well-known, recognized expert in the Asian automotive industry. He is widely quoted in national and international publications. He is a long-term columnist of industry magazine –China Automotive Review and often presents at key forums.

He holds a B.A. in economics. Before entering the automotive research field, he has five years′ market research experiences in other industries.

Bevin Jacob is the Partner and Co-Founder of Automobility Ltd with 18+ years of experience in Investment Advisory, Business Development, Product Management, Mobility Startup Incubation & Engineering of Autonomous Transportation Systems and On-Demand Mobility Services for Shared Mobility, Retail, Automotive Infotainment and Telematics business in Greater China, USA, S. Korea & India.

As Head of Business Development in APAC for Continental Intelligent Transportation Systems, he led a highly motivated and data driven team for Automobility Services and Auto Retail Business.

As Product Manager for Connected/Digital Products and Services, released Connected Car/Mobility Services for Vehicle OEMs/ Dealers, Independent Retail Chains, and Mobility Service Operators.

As an ‘Internet of Vehicles’ enthusiast, he envisions to build and incorporate "Automobility" to improve Consumer's Smart Lifestyle.

Frank Ye has been working in the automotive component industry for more than 20 years.

In the beginning 10 years between 1996 and 2006, he served in various management positions including project management, international purchasing, in-bound and out-bound logistics, assistant to General Manager, BoD secretary etc. in ZF Shanghai Steering System Co., Ltd. (now Bosch Huayu Steering System Co., Ltd.).

Between 2002 and 2003, Frank was selected by SAIC Group and was sent to Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto for its renowned EMBA program where he successfully obtained his MBA diploma. Frank also obtained an MBA diploma from Tongji University in Shanghai in 2006.

Starting from August 2006, Frank was transferred to SAIC Group, working in the Component Business Management Board, responsible for administration of subordinate companies and strategic discussions between cooperation partners.

In April 2009, Frank was transferred to Huayu Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. (HASCO Group), as one of the founding team members. HASCO (600741.SH) is China's largest component holding company majority held by SAIC Group.

Frank is responsible for corporate strategy, 5-year strategic plan of HASCO and subordinate companies, business development and business portfolio management. He is the contact window in HASCO for all M&A opportunities, and therefore led multiple M&A initiatives.

Due to Frank's strategic planning role in HASCO HQ, Frank has profound knowledge in the Chinese automotive component business, and also a clear understanding of latest mega-trends of the Chinese and global automotive industry. He also serves as VP investment in HASCO Shanghai (HASCO's investment platform), looking for investment opportunities in the area of light-weighting, power-train electrification, smart cabin related technology, and intelligent driving related hardware and software, etc.

Ryan Flynn is an internationally accomplished Executive with a career spanning over 25 years, where he has led large organizations and multinational businesses in various industries in a cross-cultural environment.

He is currently the President for ITT in Asia-Pacific with businesses in Automotive, Railways, Aerospace, Chemical and Industrial sectors where speed to market, customer intimacy and product development are key success factors.

Formerly Ryan was globally responsible for Konecranes’ EUR 1.2 billion Equipment business, where he demonstrated business leadership, governance, acquisitions, joint ventures and licenses across a global geographic landscape.

Ryan was earlier Vice President, Strategy & Business Development at BlueScope Steel and formerly also with Konecranes from 2005-2013 where he was Asia-Pacific President and earlier Director for Port Cranes & Lifttrucks businesses in Asia.