MajorsNov 19, 2021
Swarovski Adds Non-Family to BoardMajorsJun 22, 2022
Swarovski Names First Non-Family CEO
Retail veteran Alexis Nasard will step in as CEO on July 4.
Alexis Nasard, who has held various roles in retail for more than 30 years, is the first non-family CEO in Swarovski’s 127-year history.
Maennedorf, Switzerland—Swarovski has a new CEO, and for the first time in its 127-year history, it’s not a family member.
Retail veteran Alexis Nasard will take on the role of CEO July 4.
“His most important task will be to anchor the Swarovski brand firmly in its iconic luxury heritage and lead the transformation of the Swarovski business along the full value chain for scale and profitable growth,” said the company.
Previously, Nasard was a senior business advisor at McKinsey & Company.
He was also the CEO of Kantar, a data analytics and brand consulting company, but left the position after four months.
Prior to that, he was the CEO of Swiss footwear brand Bata from 2016 until 2020, and before that, held various roles at Heineken, including global chief marketing officer, as per his LinkedIn profile.
Nasard has been in the retail industry for more than 30 years, including 17 years as a general manager at consumer goods giant Proctor and Gamble.
“With the appointment of [the] first external CEO, we are taking an important further step in establishing a sustainable governance model,” said Luisa Delgado, chair of Swarovski’s board of directors.
“With Alexis Nasard as the new CEO, we are very pleased to have been able to select a highly experienced and transformational leadership personality who is capable of leading Swarovski in the affirmation of its iconic luxury heritage and through its business transformation.”
Related stories will be right here …
Retail veteran Alexis Nasard will take on the role of CEO July 4.
“His most important task will be to anchor the Swarovski brand firmly in its iconic luxury heritage and lead the transformation of the Swarovski business along the full value chain for scale and profitable growth,” said the company.
Previously, Nasard was a senior business advisor at McKinsey & Company.
He was also the CEO of Kantar, a data analytics and brand consulting company, but left the position after four months.
Prior to that, he was the CEO of Swiss footwear brand Bata from 2016 until 2020, and before that, held various roles at Heineken, including global chief marketing officer, as per his LinkedIn profile.
Nasard has been in the retail industry for more than 30 years, including 17 years as a general manager at consumer goods giant Proctor and Gamble.
“With the appointment of [the] first external CEO, we are taking an important further step in establishing a sustainable governance model,” said Luisa Delgado, chair of Swarovski’s board of directors.
“With Alexis Nasard as the new CEO, we are very pleased to have been able to select a highly experienced and transformational leadership personality who is capable of leading Swarovski in the affirmation of its iconic luxury heritage and through its business transformation.”
Nasard said he’s excited to join the company and take on the challenge of leading the storied brand.
“Swarovski fascinates me as a luxury brand, a cultural icon, and as a fully integrated business model, with its unique positioning in the world of jewelry, design, fashion, stage, and screen,” said Nasar.
“From day 1, I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues around the world and partnering with Giovanna Engelbert, the Swarovski creative director, to implement the joint transformation plan to bring joy and delight to Swarovski customers worldwide.”
Swarovski’s executive team has been largely a family affair since the company’s founding, but its board welcomed five non-family members in November 2021.
Nasard’s appointment follows a period of upheaval at the company.
In December 2021, Nadja Swarovski, the great-great-granddaughter of company founder Daniel Swarovski, announced she was leaving the company.
Her departure was the latest of several management changes that had happened at the company.
Swarovski first announced a restructuring in May 2020, which included appointing Robert Buchbauer, also a great-great-grandchild of the company’s founder, as CEO.
Family member and executive Markus Langes-Swarovski left the board in 2020.
In October 2021, Buchbauer stepped down and Mathias Margreiter, fellow board member and Swarovski family member, stepped down as chief financial officer.
Since Buchbauer’s departure, Michele Molon has been interim CEO. He will take on the new role of chief commercial officer.
More on Majors
The Latest
AuctionsMar 21, 2023
Marlene Dietrich’s Van Cleef & Arpels Bracelet Going Up for AuctionExpected to earn up to $4.5 million, the “Jarretière” bracelet is the star of Christie’s “The Magnificent Jewels of Anne Eisenhower” sale.
ColumnistsMar 21, 2023
Squirrel Spotting: Customer Retention Mindset—The New CRM With jewelry sales coming down from their pandemic highs, retailers need to do all they can to retain existing customers, Peter Smith says.
Events & AwardsMar 21, 2023
ASJRA’s May Conference Examines ‘Iconic’ Jewelry CompaniesJewelry historians, authors, and experts will explore the works of Tiffany & Co., Oscar Heyman, Verdura, and more.
Brought to you by
Full Disclosure at Your FingertipsDistinguishing natural diamonds from laboratory-grown stones – now more available than ever – has been difficult for jewelers. Until now.
IndependentsMar 21, 2023
Borsheims Executive Jennifer Johnson RetiresJohnson joined the retailer in 1987, establishing its first human resources department.
Weekly QuizMar 17, 2023
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge with this short test.
Recorded WebinarsMar 20, 2023
Watch: Lab Grown Diamonds: What's Now? What's New? What's Next?Supplier Spotlight Presented by IGI
Events & AwardsMar 20, 2023
Gem Awards Shine Spotlight on Design, Dedication, and FamilyThe industry gathered to celebrate those who elevate the jewelry and watch industries.
Brought to you by
Bringing Over 130 Years of Diamond Expertise to Modern GradingDe Beers Institute of Diamonds provides the very best in diamond verification, education and diamond services.
CrimeMar 20, 2023
Jewelry Crime Reached Record Level in 2022, JSA SaysAt JSA’s annual luncheon, President John J. Kennedy said the organization recorded more than 2,000 cases last year.
CollectionsMar 20, 2023
A New Book on Chanel Is a High Jewelry Lover’s DreamIt highlights Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s lasting influence on modern design.
Recorded WebinarsMar 17, 2023
Watch: Lessons From GemsJewelers of America’s Amanda Gizzi explores the qualities and accomplishments that make this year’s Gem Award nominees shine.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2023
JCK Industry Fund Announces Grant RecipientsHere’s what the nine chosen organizations plan to do with the funds.
TrendsMar 17, 2023
Piece of the Week: Anita Ko’s Award-Ready EarringsThe designer is nominated for a Gem Award for Jewelry Design.
FinancialsMar 16, 2023
Winter Weather, Declining Engagements Weigh on Signet’s Results The jewelry giant’s full-year sales were essentially flat, brought down by fourth-quarter declines.
FinancialsMar 16, 2023
Brilliant Earth Took a Record Number of Orders in 2022In its recent results, the company highlighted non-bridal jewelry sales and said its “inventory-light” showroom model may change.
Events & AwardsMar 16, 2023
Amanda’s Style File: Sparkling Gems See 15 fabulous pieces from the 2023 Gem Award for Jewelry Design nominees: Anita Ko, Kirsty Stone, and Ron Anderson and David Rees.
WatchesMar 16, 2023
Citizen’s New Eco-Drive Watches Run for a Full YearThe new Cal. E365 movement doubles the running time of the current Eco-Drive models.
SourcingMar 15, 2023
Amid Uncertainties, India’s Diamond Industry Continues to Adjust The mood among diamantaires is fairly optimistic despite the challenges brought about by sanctions and a cloudy economic outlook.
Lab-GrownMar 15, 2023
India’s Lab-Grown Diamond Industry Is Growing UpThe mood is bullish as more companies get into the business despite the dramatic drop in lab-grown diamond prices.
SourcingMar 15, 2023
Q&A: GJEPC Chairman Vipul ShahShah talks with National Jeweler about diamond demand, lab-grown, and why it’s difficult to make predictions about the U.S. market.
Policies & IssuesMar 15, 2023
When Diamonds Replenish the EarthHari Krishna Exports and the Dholakia Foundation’s “Mission 100 Sarovar” aims to create 100 lakes to help revive an area of Gujarat.
TechnologyMar 15, 2023
Sarine’s New Website Schools Consumers on TraceabilityThe educational resource will highlight the positive impact diamonds can make on their journey from mine to market.
SourcingMar 15, 2023
Canada’s Ekati Diamond Mine to Get a New OwnerAustralian mining company Burgundy Diamond Mines announced plans to buy the mine in a deal valued at $136 million.
AuctionsMar 15, 2023
Antique Rings Discovered by Retirees Perform Well at AuctionA 17th-century gold seal ring and an 18th-century memento mori ring met or exceeded estimates at a recent Noonans auction.
Events & AwardsMar 15, 2023
JSA Announces Award RecipientsThey will be recognized at the organization’s annual luncheon this weekend in New York City.
ColumnistsMar 14, 2023
On Data: How Did Independent Jewelers Do in January and February? Sherry Smith breaks down the results so far this year, including which categories are the sales standouts and which are struggling.
Events & AwardsMar 14, 2023
GemGenève Is Gearing Up for Its Biggest Show YetMore than 200 exhibitors are scheduled for the May 11-14 event.
