MajorsJan 12, 2023
David Yurman Names New Chief Marketing Officer
Byron Clayton is Pandora’s new chief human resources officer. His predecessor, Eric Schmidt, is retiring.
New York—Pandora has announced its new chief human resources officer hire.
Byron Clayton will fill the role beginning Feb 1.
Previously, he was deputy chief people officer at Ikea, a company that boasts more than 170,000 employees worldwide.
Prior to that, he held various human resources positions at Nokia, Microsoft, Maersk, AstraZeneca, and Mercer.
A U.S. citizen, Clayton currently resides in Copenhagen with his wife and two sons. His career has taken him to Singapore, Thailand, Finland, and the United Kingdom.
He has a master’s degree in strategy and leadership from London Business School and a bachelor’s degree in human resources and psychology from the University of North Texas.
Clayton will report to Pandora CEO Alexander Lacik and will have a spot on the company’s executive leadership team.
“Byron’s impressive resume cuts across multiple industries and geographies, and he has a great understanding of how to connect HR to commercial requirements,” said Lacik.
“He has shown that he can build strong organizations in complex environments, and his most recent experience at Ikea—an affordable global retail brand that caters to a mass-market audience—carries a lot of relevance to Pandora. I look forward to welcoming him to the team.”
Clayton said, “Pandora is one of the largest brands in Scandinavia, with a strong global presence and products that touch millions of consumers every day. The company has very exciting opportunities ahead, and I am thrilled to join at this time.”
He replaces Erik Schmidt, who joined Pandora in 2019 and is now retiring.
“Erik has been instrumental in shaping the Pandora organization for our growth journey, and I would like to express my sincere thanks for his contributions. After more than 30 years in business, Erik has decided to retire from corporate life, and I wish him nothing but the best in his next chapter,” said Lacik.
Related stories will be right here …
Byron Clayton will fill the role beginning Feb 1.
Previously, he was deputy chief people officer at Ikea, a company that boasts more than 170,000 employees worldwide.
Prior to that, he held various human resources positions at Nokia, Microsoft, Maersk, AstraZeneca, and Mercer.
A U.S. citizen, Clayton currently resides in Copenhagen with his wife and two sons. His career has taken him to Singapore, Thailand, Finland, and the United Kingdom.
He has a master’s degree in strategy and leadership from London Business School and a bachelor’s degree in human resources and psychology from the University of North Texas.
Clayton will report to Pandora CEO Alexander Lacik and will have a spot on the company’s executive leadership team.
“Byron’s impressive resume cuts across multiple industries and geographies, and he has a great understanding of how to connect HR to commercial requirements,” said Lacik.
“He has shown that he can build strong organizations in complex environments, and his most recent experience at Ikea—an affordable global retail brand that caters to a mass-market audience—carries a lot of relevance to Pandora. I look forward to welcoming him to the team.”
Clayton said, “Pandora is one of the largest brands in Scandinavia, with a strong global presence and products that touch millions of consumers every day. The company has very exciting opportunities ahead, and I am thrilled to join at this time.”
He replaces Erik Schmidt, who joined Pandora in 2019 and is now retiring.
“Erik has been instrumental in shaping the Pandora organization for our growth journey, and I would like to express my sincere thanks for his contributions. After more than 30 years in business, Erik has decided to retire from corporate life, and I wish him nothing but the best in his next chapter,” said Lacik.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship WinnersThe organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersThe winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
