Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO
Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.

The company’s chief marketing officer, Berta de Pablos-Barbier, will take over as president and CEO.
The 60-year-old Lacik joined Pandora in early 2019 with 30 years’ experience in the consumer goods sector.
He was tasked with executing back-to-back two-year turnaround plans, “Progamme Now,” and “Phoenix.”
“Programme Now” focused on cutting costs and stabilizing sales for the then-struggling company.
The aim of “Phoenix” is to get consumers to see Pandora as a full jewelry brand, not just a company that sells charm bracelets, a shift that Pablos-Barbier has been instrumental in orchestrating.
Pablos-Barbier came on board as CMO and a member of Pandora’s executive leadership team in November 2024.
As CMO, Pandora said she has successfully led its positioning as a full jewelry brand, infusing its product assortment and marketing with innovation and helping the company’s brand awareness reach an all-time high.
Pablos-Barbier is a Spanish national who has 30 years of international executive experience.
Before joining Pandora, she was president and CEO of LVMH-owned champagne brands Moët & Chandon, Dom Perignon, and Mercier; chief growth officer of Mars Wrigley; CMO of Lacoste; and vice president of marketing and communications Kering-owned Boucheron.
Pablos-Barbier will be the first woman to lead Pandora.
She said she is honored to succeed Lacik as CEO.
“Under his leadership, Pandora has become an iconic global brand, and we have charted a path to sustained growth for years to come as an accessible jewelry company,” Pablos-Barbier said.
“Even though we are the largest in our industry, Pandora still holds significant untapped potential, and I am excited to work with our amazing organization and lead the company in this next chapter.”
The company said her appointment follows a “diligent” global CEO search process for an executive to succeed Lacik.
“The board is delighted that Berta de Pablos-Barbier will be Pandora’s next CEO. Together with Alexander Lacik, we brought her on board as a possible CEO candidate, and during our search she stood out as the clear number one,” said Peter Ruzicka, chair of Pandora’s board of directors.
“She is a visionary leader with great analytical skills and a perfect mix of experience from top brands across luxury, fashion, and fast-moving consumer goods. She is the right person to lead our continued growth.”
Lacik officially will step down in March 2026 at the company’s annual general meeting.
During his tenure, Panora noted that revenue has increased by 45 percent, while the company’s global workforce has expanded from 24,000 to 37,000 employees, a 54 percent increase.
“After more than 30 years leading global brands and seven years in charge of Pandora, the time has come for me to retire and spend my energy elsewhere,” he said.
“Leading Pandora has been the greatest experience of my professional life, and I am extremely proud of the results we have achieved.”
The Latest

Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.

LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”

“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.


Bain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.

The exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.

From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.

Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.

Mildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.

Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.

“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.

The jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.

The watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.

The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.

The “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.

It’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.

The show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.

Smith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.

Former Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.

The 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.

A Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.

The new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.

The collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.

Organizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.

























