MajorsSep 15, 2022
Reed Krakoff, Former Head of Design at Tiffany, Joins John Hardy MajorsJan 25, 2023
John Hardy Names New CEO
Luxury retail executive Frédéric Levy has taken on the role.
Frédéric Levy, a luxury retail executive with more than 20 years of experience, is the new CEO of John Hardy.
New York—John Hardy has named luxury retail executive Frédéric Levy as its new CEO.
Former CEO Kareem Gahed, who took on the role in 2019, stepped down after a total of six years with the jewelry brand.
Levy has more than two decades of experience in the luxury goods and retail space, taking on leadership roles overseeing e-commerce business and digital and marketing strategies.
Most recently, he was the president of the international business unit at footwear manufacturer Alpargatas Group, where he managed the Havaianas brand outside of Brazil.
From 2015 to 2020, he was president and CEO of wine technology brand Coravin, spearheading its growth in the United States and Europe and expanding into new markets.
Prior to that, he was president of Nespresso USA for nine years.
“Throughout his career, Fred has demonstrated a remarkable talent for understanding how to drive market penetration for a variety of unique global brands,” said J. Michael Chu, global co-CEO of L Catterton and chairman of John Hardy’s board of directors.
Private equity firm L Catterton is the majority shareholder of John Hardy. The company was founded in 2016 by Catterton, LVMH, and Groupe Arnault, the family holding company of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault.
“L Catterton believes there is significant opportunity for the John Hardy brand globally, and we are confident that Fred is the right leader to guide the company through its next phase of growth while staying true to the distinctive heritage that sets the company apart,” said Chu.
He also thanked former CEO Gahed for his contributions to the company.
Regarding his departure, Gahed said, “I am pleased to be handing the reins to someone as talented and capable as Fred. With his marketing and digital expertise, Fred brings the right set of skills to lead John Hardy through the next chapter in the company’s history, and I look forward to watching the brand’s continued growth and success.”
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Former CEO Kareem Gahed, who took on the role in 2019, stepped down after a total of six years with the jewelry brand.
Levy has more than two decades of experience in the luxury goods and retail space, taking on leadership roles overseeing e-commerce business and digital and marketing strategies.
Most recently, he was the president of the international business unit at footwear manufacturer Alpargatas Group, where he managed the Havaianas brand outside of Brazil.
From 2015 to 2020, he was president and CEO of wine technology brand Coravin, spearheading its growth in the United States and Europe and expanding into new markets.
Prior to that, he was president of Nespresso USA for nine years.
“Throughout his career, Fred has demonstrated a remarkable talent for understanding how to drive market penetration for a variety of unique global brands,” said J. Michael Chu, global co-CEO of L Catterton and chairman of John Hardy’s board of directors.
Private equity firm L Catterton is the majority shareholder of John Hardy. The company was founded in 2016 by Catterton, LVMH, and Groupe Arnault, the family holding company of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault.
“L Catterton believes there is significant opportunity for the John Hardy brand globally, and we are confident that Fred is the right leader to guide the company through its next phase of growth while staying true to the distinctive heritage that sets the company apart,” said Chu.
He also thanked former CEO Gahed for his contributions to the company.
Regarding his departure, Gahed said, “I am pleased to be handing the reins to someone as talented and capable as Fred. With his marketing and digital expertise, Fred brings the right set of skills to lead John Hardy through the next chapter in the company’s history, and I look forward to watching the brand’s continued growth and success.”
In a statement, Levy expressed his excitement for taking on the role.
“John Hardy has a unique and authentic artistic foundation, and I am thrilled to be working with our creative chairman, Reed Krakoff, and the rest of our gifted team to take advantage of the significant opportunities ahead,” he said.
Krakoff, the former head of design at Tiffany & Co., joined John Hardy last year and is also a strategic advisor to L Catterton.
Levy added, “Together we will find creative ways to grow the John Hardy brand globally while staying true to our brand values.”
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