This week on the Moneybrain Couch, we spoke with James A. Matthewson, CEO of SUPERLUXE & Partners, a Moneybrain client, Purveyor of luxury fine art, blending real-world art, crypto and NFTs to establish an art experience that ensures continual benefit to Artists and Art Collectors alike.
James can best be described as having a steely determination to show the world the power of blockchain and crypto to modernise art for the good of all.
Where it all begin
Q: Can you share the story of how your journey started?
A: I began my professional life at a very young age of (19) in field sales. I was quickly snapped up to head marketing initiatives, after achieving a marketing qualification and being offered a job with Jack Walker, focusing on a new tech company I had invested in. I was tasked with heading a project in the mid-90s to create something called an “Internet site on the information superhighway” (what we all know today as the Internet).Working with an American firm, I quickly recognised the synergy between my traditional marketing education and the new world of the Internet. This experience marked the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey, leading me to be part of a team setting up an Internet Service Provider (ISP) during the age of dial-up connections and Netscape navigator. This venture provided me with foundational knowledge of how the Internet worked and the opportunities it presented.
First taste of Entrepreneurial success
Q:Was there a pivotal moment or project that set the stage for your career?
A: My’ ISP experience inspired me to evolve my offering into a web development agency. By coupling it with an educational element, I built a pipeline of clients and demonstrated that the Internet was not a bubble, but here to stay. Around this time I published my first business book on e-business and e-commerce, drawing on my real-world experiences.
The agency continued to evolve, most notably by launching Diploma qualifications programmes in digital marketing with the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) in London. I tutored hundreds of marketing professionals through their qualifications, which paved the way for me to explore luxury offerings in the digital space. This led to my role with prestigious luxury brand group Richemont, working with brands such as Montblanc, Cartier, IWC, and Panerai.
Luxury and Academia
Q: You were a Professor of Luxury Masters lecturing in Monaco – what was that experience like?
A: My career took me to Monaco, where I lectured in Luxury Masters. I developed and delivered a syllabus for Master’s students focused on digital marketing and technology in the luxury world. I adopted a practical teaching approach, taking students to meet watchmakers, Rolls-Royce executives, and even out on super yachts to understand the essence of luxury and how it feels. During my five years in Monaco, I built a robust network within the vibrant luxury ecosystem.
Transition to Jersey
Q: You came to Jersey at the invitation of the State via the Digital Jersey Business Licensing and Outreach Program. What was that experience like getting your feet on the Ground?
A: I discovered Jersey to be a different environment from London, Monaco & Geneva, with a diverse economy that serves a wider range of retail stakeholders. While the luxury market in Jersey is less overt, I saw an opportunity to create SUPERLUXE, intending to bring luxury experiences to the island. However, the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed these plans, as physical luxury events became unfeasible.
SUPERLUXE and the Art World
Q: Tell us more about how SUPERLUXE is transforming the art world ?
A: I shifted my focus to the art world after being approached by a London gallery owner to assist in growing their brand globally. This led to creating a high-end art event in Jersey, where I discovered my passion for art. SUPERLUXE was born to help artists manage the business aspects of the art world, freeing them to focus solely on their craft. It provides a platform for artists to build their reputation, reach and revenues.
Embracing the Blockchain & Crypto
Q: How did SUPERLUXE embrace blockchain technology and crypto?
A: The first step was to offer the immutability blockchain offers, by DNA Tagging & Certifying all our artworks with
blockchain provenance certificates. By placing a tamper-proof tag directly onto the artwork and marrying that to an entry on the blockchain, we can provide absolute assurance to our clients that what they are buying is the real
artwork.
Working with Moneybrain has been a phenomenal experience for SUPERLUXE. The platform enables us to quickly and efficiently convert crypto holdings to fiat (£GBP mainly) currencies. Moneybrain’s team are proactive, accessible and deliver a personalised customer service to us, enhancing the overall experience.”
James A. Matthewson, CEO of SUPERLUXE & Partners
