SourcingJun 28, 2024
Fura Gems CEO Dev Shetty Steps DownMajorsJul 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 (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 …
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.”
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.
More on Majors
The Latest
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
October Brings Little Change to Consumer Confidence Consumers are feeling more optimistic about their present situation while the short-term future remains a little scary.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
Couture Partners With Time to WatchesThe company, which organizes a watch show in Geneva every spring, will bring a selection of watch brands to the 2026 Couture show in Vegas.
TrendsOct 29, 2025
Beth Bernstein Releases Vintage Jewelry Guide“The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery” follows the evolution of jewelry design from the ‘30s to the ‘80s with buying and styling advice.
EditorsOct 29, 2025
Why Creepy, Crawly Bugs Inspire Beautiful JewelryFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow explores the symbolism behind spiders, beetles, and other eerie insects.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2025
Meet the 2026 Gem Award NomineesNotable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.
Recorded WebinarsOct 28, 2025
Watch: The State of the Jewelry Industry Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.
Brought to you by
DESERT DIAMONDS: The Newest Trend in Natural Diamond JewelryFrom sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.
CollectionsOct 28, 2025
Eriness Reflects on Life in ‘One of One’ CollectionAfter experiencing motherhood, growth, and loss, founder and designer Erin Sachse has created 10 irreplaceable jewels.
AuctionsOct 27, 2025
Napoleon Left This Brooch Behind, And Now It’s Up For AuctionIt is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.
CrimeOct 27, 2025
Arrests Made in Louvre Jewel Heist One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2025
Hill Management Group Hired to Help Atlanta Jewelry ShowHill Management Group will oversee, market, and produce next year’s spring show.
AuctionsOct 24, 2025
Bonhams Under New Ownership, Top Executives ReplacedLondon-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument DemoThe workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ EarringsFounder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, KeringThe luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.
SourcingOct 23, 2025
Petra Diamonds Turns to Shareholders to Raise Capital The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch HistoryThe book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.
AuctionsOct 23, 2025
Freeman’s | Hindman Names New VP, Senior Specialist for Jewelry & WatchesAlexis Vourvoulis, who most recently worked at Tiffany & Co., brings more than two decades of jewelry experience to her new role.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
The Taylor Swift Effect: Antique Diamonds EditionThe superstar’s August engagement put the stamp of approval on an already hot engagement ring trend.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
Don’t Forget These Diamond Jewelry Trends When Stocking for the HolidaysRetailers should offer classic styles with a twist that are a perfect fit for layered looks, experts say.
AuctionsOct 22, 2025
Pink Diamond, Vanderbilt Jewels to Headline Phillips’ Geneva AuctionThe nearly 7-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond could sell for around $9 million.
SourcingOct 22, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 22, 2025
Tiffany & Co.’s ‘Bird on a Rock’ Finds New PerchChief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille has reimagined the iconic design in both figurative and abstract creations.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
JFC Kicks Off Halloween Costume ChallengeFive dollars buys one vote toward an industry professional you want to see dressed up as a hero, or a villain, this Halloween.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
Hillsborough Antique Show Gets New OwnerRecently acquired by KIL Promotions, the November edition of the public show in San Mateo, California, will be held Nov. 7-9.
