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Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up Early
Berta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
Pandora President and CEO Alexander Lacik, left, will now step down in January rather than March. Chief Marketing Officer Berta de Pablos-Barbier, right, will take over as president and CEO.
Copenhagen, Denmark—Pandora announced Monday that its CEO transition will take place sooner than planned.
Berta de Pablos-Barbier, the jewelry company’s chief marketing officer, will step into the role of CEO and president on Jan. 1, two months earlier than expected.
The transition was initially expected to take place in March at its annual general meeting.
Pandora attributed the change in schedule to the “seamless handover” from current CEO Alexander Lacik to de Pablos-Barbier.
The company announced in September that Lacik would be stepping down after seven years in the role.
“The handover from Alexander to Berta has been exceptionally smooth,” said Peter Ruzicka, chair of Pandora’s board.
Ruzicka thanked Lacik for his “outstanding leadership,” noting that since Lacik joined Pandora’s revenue has grown by 45 percent, and total shareholder return has exceeded 200 percent.
“He leaves the company with a strong foundation and significant growth potential. We look forward to celebrating his achievements at the annual general meeting,” he said.
De Pablos-Barbier said she is honored to lead Pandora into its next chapter.
“Over the past years, we have established a strong brand with a unique position in the market for accessible jewelry,” she said.
“My immediate focus will be to navigate the current market turbulence while gearing up to leverage our untapped opportunities as a full jewelry brand and drive long-term growth. We are building a bigger Pandora.”
Related stories will be right here …
Berta de Pablos-Barbier, the jewelry company’s chief marketing officer, will step into the role of CEO and president on Jan. 1, two months earlier than expected.
The transition was initially expected to take place in March at its annual general meeting.
Pandora attributed the change in schedule to the “seamless handover” from current CEO Alexander Lacik to de Pablos-Barbier.
The company announced in September that Lacik would be stepping down after seven years in the role.
“The handover from Alexander to Berta has been exceptionally smooth,” said Peter Ruzicka, chair of Pandora’s board.
Ruzicka thanked Lacik for his “outstanding leadership,” noting that since Lacik joined Pandora’s revenue has grown by 45 percent, and total shareholder return has exceeded 200 percent.
“He leaves the company with a strong foundation and significant growth potential. We look forward to celebrating his achievements at the annual general meeting,” he said.
De Pablos-Barbier said she is honored to lead Pandora into its next chapter.
“Over the past years, we have established a strong brand with a unique position in the market for accessible jewelry,” she said.
“My immediate focus will be to navigate the current market turbulence while gearing up to leverage our untapped opportunities as a full jewelry brand and drive long-term growth. We are building a bigger Pandora.”
Jennie Farmer, who is currently senior vice president of brand experience and channels, will succeed de Pablos-Barbier as CMO on Jan. 1.
Prior to joining Pandora earlier this year, Farmer served as CMO of The Office Group, a U.K.-based workspace developer. Before that, she was the chief commercial officer at furniture retailer Oka.
Farmer has more than 25 years of experience with global luxury and consumer brands.
She previously held senior roles at De Beers Group, including serving as global head of marketing for Forevermark, as well as at LVMH and Procter & Gamble.
“With Jennie Farmer stepping in as CMO, we are pleased to be able to conduct the leadership transition faster than planned. We look forward to the next era of growth under Berta’s leadership,” said Ruzicka.
Farmer shared her excitement about her new role.
“Pandora is an iconic brand with a heritage of redefining the jewelry industry. I look forward to building on the strong direction set by Berta and driving bold, creative marketing that connects with consumers across all our segments and channels,” said Farmer.
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