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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
TechnologyMay 01, 2026
Gemist, Saban Onyx Partner on Retailer-Focused Customization OfferingTheir partnership combines Gemist’s customization technology with Saban Onyx’s U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities.
SurveysMay 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Inches Up in April Despite Rising Gas PricesRespondents were concerned about the Middle East conflict and how it will impact their finances.
CollectionsMay 01, 2026
A ‘Hidden Garden’ Emerges in Tiffany & Co.’s 2026 Blue BookOur Piece of the Week, the “Butterfly” necklace, showcases a 7.02-carat oval diamond set between diamond, platinum, and 18-karat gold wings.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
ColumnistsApr 30, 2026
Peter Smith: A Sleazy Salesman and the Case for Regret Avoidance Smith uses a comment he overheard in the grocery store to remind retailers that their job is to inspire buying behavior, not just sell.
Weekly QuizApr 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsApr 30, 2026
Vintage Cartier Watch Crashes Through Records, Selling for $2MBelieved to be one of three made in 1987, the Cartier London Crash was hot at the “Shapes of Cartier” sale at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.
CrimeApr 30, 2026
Masked Group Uses Hammers, Pepper Spray in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyOfficials are looking for a group that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers at an outlet mall in Round Rock, Texas, in broad daylight on April 21.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Supplier BulletinApr 30, 2026
OROAREZZO 2026: The B2B Event for Italian Excellence in Goldsmith, Jewelry and Silver ManufacturingSponsored by OROAREZZO International Jewelry Exhibition
TechnologyApr 29, 2026
The Thought Process Behind the Mother's Day Email Opt-OutSome retailers are taking a nuanced approach to marketing what can be a difficult holiday for many.
IndependentsApr 29, 2026
Dick Abbott to Retire From The EdgeThe Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.
SourcingApr 29, 2026
De Beers’ Production Rises, Market Remains ‘Challenged’De Beers’ diamond production was up 17 percent in Q1, boosted by increased output at its mines in South Africa and Canada.
AuctionsApr 29, 2026
This'll Be the Day You Own John Wayne's RingA signet ring belonging to the Western film star of Hollywood’s Golden Age will be up for auction at Elmwood’s next month.
Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
Doug Hucker Retires From ICAThe colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
