IndependentsJul 31, 2023
Fourtané Names Former Hodinkee Exec COO MajorsAug 02, 2023
John Hardy Names Former Richemont Exec CEO
Jan-Patrick Schmitz will take on the role following former CEO Frédéric Levy’s departure after less than a year.
John Hardy has appointed luxury executive Jan-Patrick Schmitz as its new CEO. (Image courtesy of LinkedIn)
New York—John Hardy has appointed a new CEO, the second person to hold the role this year.
The jewelry brand chose luxury executive Jan-Patrick Schmitz to head the company, replacing interim CEO Audrey Finci, who will stay on as an advisor and board member.
Finci took on the role of interim CEO after the departure of Frédéric Levy, who joined the company in January.
The company did not respond to a request for comment on when and why Levy left the company.
New CEO Schmitz will bring his consumer and retailer experience to the role.
"Patrick brings valuable knowledge of the luxury market, a deep understanding of today's consumer, and a history of building and growing premier luxury goods businesses,” said Finci.
“He also embodies the level of determination, drive, and passion that makes John Hardy so unique, and we're thrilled to welcome him to the family."
Prior to joining John Hardy, Schmitz was the CEO of Muirbury & Co., an independent firm he founded that develops consumer brands across several sectors.
He also served as the global CEO and chairman of the management board of Wüsthof Group, a German knives company.
Earlier in his career, Schmitz spent about 20 years at Richemont, holding various senior leadership roles at Montblanc, including president and CEO of Montblanc North America, head of supply chain management, and president and CEO of Montblanc Japan.
Schmitz also holds several director roles for luxury goods and consumer-focused brands, including Timeless Wines, Thornwillow, and Pollaro.
Related stories will be right here …
The jewelry brand chose luxury executive Jan-Patrick Schmitz to head the company, replacing interim CEO Audrey Finci, who will stay on as an advisor and board member.
Finci took on the role of interim CEO after the departure of Frédéric Levy, who joined the company in January.
The company did not respond to a request for comment on when and why Levy left the company.
New CEO Schmitz will bring his consumer and retailer experience to the role.
"Patrick brings valuable knowledge of the luxury market, a deep understanding of today's consumer, and a history of building and growing premier luxury goods businesses,” said Finci.
“He also embodies the level of determination, drive, and passion that makes John Hardy so unique, and we're thrilled to welcome him to the family."
Prior to joining John Hardy, Schmitz was the CEO of Muirbury & Co., an independent firm he founded that develops consumer brands across several sectors.
He also served as the global CEO and chairman of the management board of Wüsthof Group, a German knives company.
Earlier in his career, Schmitz spent about 20 years at Richemont, holding various senior leadership roles at Montblanc, including president and CEO of Montblanc North America, head of supply chain management, and president and CEO of Montblanc Japan.
Schmitz also holds several director roles for luxury goods and consumer-focused brands, including Timeless Wines, Thornwillow, and Pollaro.
Reed Krakoff, creative chairman of John Hardy, said, "Patrick's successful track record gives us the utmost confidence that he will create exciting new opportunities for John Hardy. I look forward to guiding John Hardy together. With his curated expertise and strong alignment with our culture, we are confident Patrick is the right person to lead John Hardy through this next chapter."
Schmitz also expressed his excitement about joining the John Hardy team.
"John Hardy prides itself on its authenticity and community values, and I look forward to contributing to the company's success while upholding the brand's important commitment to sustainable luxury business practices and craftsmanship," he said.
"I'm excited to work closely with Reed and the rest of the talented team as we build on John Hardy's artisan heritage to accelerate growth."
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
IndependentsJun 27, 2023
London Jewelers Names New COO 
IndependentsMay 23, 2023
Pat Henneberry Joins VeerMore on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsOct 10, 2024
Pomellato Revives Past Designs for New Capsule Collection“Memorie D’Archivio” was inspired by the “Mora” and “Mosaico” collections the brand introduced in the ‘90s.
SourcingOct 10, 2024
Lucara Sells Clara to Its Original FoundersCEO William Lamb said divesting the diamond sales platform allows the company to focus on the underground expansion of Karowe.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Brought to you by
Why You Can't Miss JA New York This FallDon't miss this one-stop-shop in October, curated with buyers’ needs in mind.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—HodinkeeThe company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.
SourcingOct 04, 2024
How India Became the World’s Second-Largest Market for Diamond Jewelry A strong economy, a growing middle class with an affinity for brands, and rapid expansion of organized retail have fueled the market’s rise.
MajorsOct 04, 2024
Hearts On Fire Names Gabrielle Grazi VP of Sales, North AmericaThe industry veteran is also the president-elect of the Women’s Jewelry Association.
CollectionsOct 04, 2024
Piece of the Week: Ray Griffiths’ ‘Double Headed Snake’ RingSlither into spooky season with this scary snake ring that boasts two heads with tsavorite eyes.
Policies & IssuesOct 03, 2024
RJO, CERF+ Join Those Offering Hurricane Helene Relief to Affected JewelersPlus, how to apply for emergency funds and donate to recovery efforts.
CrimeOct 03, 2024
Man Who Shared Spoils of $2.7M Smash-and-Grab on Social Media Pleads Guilty to Robbery ChargeLadell Tharpe, 39, took part in a 2022 jewelry store robbery and then posted pictures of cash on Instagram with the text “Robbery Gang.”
MajorsOct 03, 2024
JA Appoints New Board DirectorThe trade organization welcomed Sheryl Jones to its board of directors for a three-year term.
MajorsOct 03, 2024
Pandora Names 3rd CMO in Past 5 YearsNew Chief Marketing Officer Berta de Pablos-Barbier has worked for LVMH’s champagne brands and Kering-owned Boucheron.
TrendsOct 03, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: October’s ArrivalTransition to fall with this month’s birthstones of opal and tourmaline.
AuctionsOct 03, 2024
Dame Shirley Bassey’s Diamonds Are Ready for Their EncoreSotheby’s will auction jewelry belonging to the “Diamonds Are Forever” singer Oct. 10 in Paris.
