Majors

Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO

MajorsSep 30, 2025

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.

Pandora executives Alexander Lacik and Berta de Pablos-Barbier
Pandora President and CEO Alexander Lacik, left, will step down in March 2026. Chief Marketing Officer Berta de Pablos-Barbier, right, will take over as president and CEO.
Copenhagen, Denmark—Pandora announced this morning that President and CEO Alexander Lacik, who led the jewelry company’s turnaround and ushered in a period of stability, will retire in early 2026.

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.”

 Related stories will be right here … 

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

Tom Moses
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 Years

Moses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.

Charles & Colvard showroom in Morrisville, North Carolina
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price Pressures

Increased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.

Zome Solara Earrings
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial Beauty

The earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.

TopImageCrop.jpg
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says

Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.

Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Common Era Difficult Women Pandora Pendant, Anne Boleyn Signet Ring, Cleopatra Pendant
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in Collection

The ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.

Diamond engagement rings by designer Lorraine West
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and Why

We asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.

dca-laptop.jpg
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry Education

With refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.

American Gem Society Conclave 2026 Orlando logo
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker Lineup

The annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.

Caitríona Balfe on Only Natural Diamonds Spring 2026 Issue Cover
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds Cover

The “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.

Michael M Beverly Hills Flagship Interior Rendering
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First Store

Beverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”

Dubai mall
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East Stores

Kering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.

Brilliant Earth Beverly Hills showroom
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills Store

Beth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”

JIS Miami Spring 2026
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends Talks

Nearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.

Spinelli Kilcollin Live Now. Polish Later. Campaign
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse Campaign

The “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.

Jennifer Ashworth
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand Director

The precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.

Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Award Grant Graphic
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards Grant

Nelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.

New Forevermark store in India
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s Future

Experts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.

Gannon & Scott and Metalor Technologies employees
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & Scott

The American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.

Isabel Delgado aquamarine earrings
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Aquatopia

These aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.

AGTA Innovative Design Award
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for Spectrum

The “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.

Nena Mensah and Sofia Carson at 2026 Actor Awards
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood Glamour

Diamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.

Person pushing a shopping cart
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in February

Consumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.

Rebecca Foerster
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual Luncheon

Foerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.

JFC facets 2026
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees

Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.

Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, Luis Angel Alamo, of Joyeria Angelo’s in Chicago
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago

Chicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.

Ekapa mine
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing Workers

Owners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.

×

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