MajorsJun 30, 2020
Swarovski Latest to Announce Job Cuts, Slashing 600 PositionsMajorsNov 19, 2021
Swarovski Adds Non-Family to Board
The search continues for a new CEO and CFO, possibly outside of the family.
The Swarovski flagship store in Zurich. The company has named new directors to its board as it continues the search for a CEO and CFO. (Image courtesy of Swarovski)
Wattens, Austria—Swarovski’s executive team has been largely a family affair since the company’s founding, but its board recently welcomed five non-family members.
Luisa Delgado, the lead operating director of German toy company Schleich, will join the board. She is the former CEO of Procter & Gamble’s Nordic region and of the luxury eyewear manufacturer Safilo Group.
New board member Annalisa Loustau Elia, an independent director at brands like Legrand and Campari, was previously on Cartier’s management team and held roles at Procter & Gamble, L'Oréal, and the Printemps Group.
Manuel Martinez has more than 25 years of human resources experience in the luxury and retail sectors and has held senior positions at United Biscuits, Hermès, BIC, Louis Vuitton and German conglomerate JAB.
Luisa Delgado, the lead operating director of German toy company Schleich, will join the board. She is the former CEO of Procter & Gamble’s Nordic region and of the luxury eyewear manufacturer Safilo Group.
New board member Annalisa Loustau Elia, an independent director at brands like Legrand and Campari, was previously on Cartier’s management team and held roles at Procter & Gamble, L'Oréal, and the Printemps Group.
Manuel Martinez has more than 25 years of human resources experience in the luxury and retail sectors and has held senior positions at United Biscuits, Hermès, BIC, Louis Vuitton and German conglomerate JAB.
Robert Singer, a veteran of the branded luxury goods business, was the former chief financial officer of Gucci Group NV, former COO of Abercrombie & Fitch, and former CEO of Barilla Holding. He’s done board work for brands like Tiffany & Co., Versace, Jimmy Choo, and Benetton.
Markus Fiechter, the former CEO of the Minibar AG Group and Jacobs Holding AG, has also joined the board.
Swarovski family members Robert Buchbauer, Markus Langes-Swarovski and Mathias Margreiter are still on the board.
Related stories will be right here …
Markus Fiechter, the former CEO of the Minibar AG Group and Jacobs Holding AG, has also joined the board.
Swarovski family members Robert Buchbauer, Markus Langes-Swarovski and Mathias Margreiter are still on the board.
“The newly appointed committee is intended to act as a link to improve interface management between the owner families and the company,” said Swarovski in a press release about the board changes.
They went into effect Nov. 15.
During its constituent meeting, Swarovski International Holding elected Luisa Delgado as president of the board of directors, with Robert Buchbauer acting as deputy.
The company is on the hunt to fulfill the CEO and CFO positions following its latest executive shake-up.
According to WWD, this October, board member Buchbauer, the great-great-grandson of the company's founder, Daniel Swarovski, stepped down from the CEO role. Fellow board member and Swarovski family member Margreiter stepped down as CFO.
Buchbauer and Margreiter had been appointed CEO and CFO as part of a large leadership switch in Swarovski’s restructuring plan in May 2020.
Nadja Swarovski, the long-time public face of the company, stepped away from her role at that time, though she remains on the executive board.
During his short tenure in the top spot, Buchbauer cut around 600 positions amid the COVID-19 crisis as he looked to streamline the company and make changes to its organizational structure, including the merging of marketing and sales activities.
He also appointed fashion veteran Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert to Swarovski’s first creative director position.
Currently, Michele Molon is acting as interim CEO while Frederik Westring is interim CFO.
Swarovski said it is open to non-family members in its replacement search.
“This process should be completed with the greatest care, but as quickly as possible,” the company said.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
CrimeFeb 06, 2026
Florida Man Sentenced After Selling Fake Native American Jewelry for a Decade Prosecutors say the man attended arts and craft fairs claiming he was a third-generation jeweler who was a member of the Pueblo tribe.
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive ChangesNew CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet RingsOur Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
Weekly QuizFeb 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsFeb 05, 2026
Borsheims to Undergo Massive Renovation in the Spring The Omaha jewelry store’s multi-million-dollar renovation is scheduled to begin in mid-May and take about six months.
CollectionsFeb 05, 2026
Marco Bicego’s Amethyst Collection Travels to a Purple ParadiseThe “Paradise Amethyst” collection focuses on amethyst, pink tourmaline, garnet, and 18-karat yellow gold beads.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
FinancialsFeb 05, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Reports Strong Holiday Results in Q3The retailer credited its Roberto Coin campaign, in part, for boosting its North America sales.
ColumnistsFeb 04, 2026
January Jewelry Sales: More Dollars Spent, Fewer Units Sold Sherry Smith unpacks independent retailers’ January performance and gives tips for navigating the slow-growth year ahead.
TrendsFeb 04, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: February Birthstone BlissAmethyst, the birthstone for February, is a gemstone to watch this year with its rich purple hue and affordable price point.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Marco Bicego Names New Global Marketing DirectorThe Italian jewelry company appointed Matteo Cuelli to the newly created role.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Frederick Goldman Updates Leadership TeamThe manufacturer said the changes are designed to improve speed, reliability, innovation, and service.
Policies & IssuesFeb 03, 2026
Tariff Relief on Horizon for India as Trump, Modi Make DealPresident Trump said he has reached a trade deal with India, which, when made official, will bring relief to the country’s diamond industry.
CollectionsFeb 03, 2026
Jade Trau Releases New Charms, Introduces RondellesThe designer’s latest collection takes inspiration from her classic designs, reimagining the motifs in new forms.
WatchesFeb 03, 2026
Casio America Calls Jersey City HomeThe watchmaker moved its U.S. headquarters to a space it said fosters creativity and forward-thinking solutions in Jersey City, New Jersey.
SourcingFeb 03, 2026
Nivoda Reveals Upgraded Gemstone MarketplaceThe company also announced a new partnership with GemGuide and the pending launch of an education-focused membership program.
GradingFeb 02, 2026
IGI to Acquire American Gemological Laboratories IGI is buying the colored gemstone grading laboratory through IGI USA, and AGL will continue to operate as its own brand.
CrimeFeb 02, 2026
Ylang 23’s Dallas Store BurglarizedThe Texas jeweler said its team is “incredibly resilient” and thanked its community for showing support.
EditorsFeb 02, 2026
Stars Choose Chokers, Elongated Earrings at 2026 GrammysFrom cool-toned metal to ring stacks, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the jewelry trends she spotted at the Grammy Awards.
CollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
