Majors

Richemont Names New CEOs for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels

MajorsJul 02, 2024

Richemont Names New CEOs for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels

Current Cartier CEO Cyrille Vigneron is retiring in September while former VCA head Nicolas Bos is now Richemont’s CEO.

Louis Ferla and Catherine Rénier
Louis Ferla (left) will take on the role of Cartier CEO on Sept.1 while Catherine Rénier will step in as CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels. (Images courtesy of LinkedIn)
Geneva—Richemont announced major changes to its executive team Tuesday, appointing two of its watch brand CEOs to lead Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Cyrille Vigneron, CEO of Cartier, will step down on Sept. 1. He is retiring after eight years as head of Cartier and decades in the luxury industry. 

Vigneron will take on the role of chairman of Cartier Culture and Philanthropy and help with the transition period.

Louis Ferla, currently CEO of Vacheron Constantin, will take over as CEO of Cartier.

Ferla joined Richemont in 2001, starting at Alfred Dunhill as area sales manager in Hong Kong and then as general manager in Taipei, Taiwan.

In 2006, he joined Cartier, where he held various senior executive positions in the Middle East, India, and Africa before being appointed CEO of the brand in China. 

In 2015, Ferla was promoted to Cartier’s executive committee as the international director of clients and business. He was named Vacheron Constantin CEO in 2017. 

Richemont did not say who would take on this soon-to-be vacant role.

Johann Rupert, Richemont’s chairman of the board, welcomed Ferla.

“I am delighted Louis has accepted to take on the top role at Cartier. He has earned the admiration and respect of his colleagues across the group and of the industry at large for having so brilliantly positioned Vacheron Constantin at the pinnacle of haute horlogerie. His experience and leadership qualities will prove invaluable for Cartier’s long-term success,” he said.

Rupert also thanked Vigneron for his service to the brand.

“I would like to express my gratitude to Cyrille for his vision and bold leadership over the last eight years, under which Cartier has reached new heights becoming the reference in the world of luxury. 

“I would also like to thank Cyrille for helping identify Louis as his successor. I wish Cyrille all the best in his new role, where I know he will be working on topics that he has always felt passionate about.”

 Related stories will be right here … 

The new CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels is Jaeger-LeCoultre CEO Catherine Rénier.

She succeeds Nicolas Bos, who was appointed CEO of Richemont, and will take over on Sept. 1. 

Rénier has more than 20 years of experience in jewelry and watches at Richemont, joining the company in 1999 as Cartier North America’s retail development director in New York.

In 2003, she moved to Paris, joining Van Cleef & Arpels as deputy marketing manager, where she helped to develop the brand.

She relocated again in 2008 to Hong Kong to drive the brand’s growth in the Asia Pacific region. She was its commercial director, then managing director for Hong Kong, Macau, and China in 2011. 

Rénier later was appointed president of the Asia Pacific region, a role she held for eight years.

She became CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre in 2018.

Bos welcomed Rénier to her new role.

“I am delighted Catherine will be taking on the role of CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels after 6 years at the helm of Jaeger-LeCoultre where she built a strong leadership team and a clear and differentiated positioning for the maison, which has been foundational to its success during her tenure,” he said.

“Catherine brings the perfect mix of experience and leadership skills to the role, which, coupled with her deep knowledge of the maison, will enable her to ensure Van Cleef & Arpels long-term success.”

Philippe Hermann, chief financial officer of Jaeger-LeCoultre, will take on the role of ad interim CEO at the watch brand until a new CEO is announced.

The Latest

Jade Ruzzo Gloria Collar
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.

Jewelry industry author, speaker, and sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?

If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.

Selection of jewelry from Sotheby’s New York High Jewelry sale
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry Sale

The top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Botswana Minster of Minerals and Energy Bogolo Joy Kenewendo
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las Vegas

Following visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minster sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.

Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Greenwich Street Jewelers Your Love Has the Perfect Ring Campaign
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ Couples

The “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.

Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.

The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

New York Liberty Nyara Sabally Catbird campaign
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand Ambassador

The New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.

Robinson Pelham Fruits of Love Pear Earrings
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear Earrings

Take a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.

Three diamonds with diagrams
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education Conference

The one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.

Ella Sophie
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella Sophie

The California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.

A pink gold Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph Ref. 2499
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s

Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.

Gabriel Love Foundation Logo
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias Gabriel

The foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.

Celine Assimon
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins Bonhams

Assimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.

De Beers CEO Al Cook speaking at JCK Las Vegas 2025
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and Tariffs

The De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”

Pandora Las Vegas ribbon cutting ceremony
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American Flagship

The Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.

Tiffany Stevens
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board Leader

Industry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.

Lee Min Seo and Ianyan Jewelry
Events & AwardsJun 11, 2025
Kering Announces Winners of Sustainability-Focused Award

The winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.

De Beers desert diamonds
SourcingJun 10, 2025
De Beers Turns to Brown, Yellow Diamonds for New ‘Beacon’

“Ombré Desert Diamonds” will emphasize cream-, champagne-, and brown-colored diamonds, shades that set natural stones apart from lab grown.

Gresham grasshopper ring
AuctionsJun 10, 2025
Noonans to Auction 16th-Century Signet Ring

It's one of the “Gresham grasshopper” rings English financier Sir Thomas Gresham was known to gift to acquaintances or business associates.

Mary Chiam
CollectionsJun 10, 2025
Tabayer Names Mary Chiam as CEO

The brand also debuted its new “Zorae” collection featuring a talisman of protection and harmony inspired by a sheaf of wheat.

Lauren Johansen
MajorsJun 10, 2025
Lauren Johansen Joins Loudr

As Loudr’s new account manager, Johansen will partner with clients to craft and execute marketing strategies.

Lunar Rain cat locket
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
And the Winners of the 2025 Couture Design Awards Are …

Designers were recognized in 12 categories, from platinum to pearls, before the evening ended with a new, retail-focused award.

Nancy Astor tiara
AuctionsJun 09, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Sells for $1.2M

The rare turquoise and diamond jewel was the top lot at Bonhams’ June jewelry sale.

2025 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductees
IndependentsJun 09, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame Inductees

This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.

2025 CASE Award Submission Graphic
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025

The deadline to submit is June 16.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy