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LVMH Names New Bulgari CEO
Laura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
Luxury titan LVMH has named Laura Burdese as the new CEO of Bulgari, effective July 1. (Image courtesy of LVMH)
New York—LVMH has named the next CEO of Bulgari.
Laura Burdese, who has worked at LVMH for nearly a decade, will lead Bulgari, effective July 1.
She will succeed longtime LVMH executive Jean-Christophe Babin, who been CEO of Bulgari since 2013.
Babin, who previously served as CEO of TAG Heuer, was appointed head of LVMH Watches in March but retained his role as CEO of Bulgari.
Under Babin’s leadership, the jewelry brand underwent a “profound transformation,” said LVMH, noting its advancements in watchmaking and its expansion into the luxury hospitality industry via new hotels.
Babin was also a part of the expansion of Bulgari’s factory in Valenza, Italy, and the launch of La Scuola Bulgari, its jewelry school.
He will continue to serve as chairman of the Bulgari board, CEO of the Bulgari hotel business unit, and president of the Bulgari Foundation even after Burdese takes over as CEO of the brand.
Both Babin and Burdese will report to Stéphane Bianchi, LVMH group managing director.
“Jean-Christophe has shaped the success of TAG Heuer and Bulgari while creating unique paths within their respective industries,” Bianchi said in a statement from LVMH on the appointment.
“I am confident that in his new missions, he will bring the same energy and keep on supporting LVMH and its maisons thanks to his extraordinary vision.”
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Laura Burdese, who has worked at LVMH for nearly a decade, will lead Bulgari, effective July 1.
She will succeed longtime LVMH executive Jean-Christophe Babin, who been CEO of Bulgari since 2013.
Babin, who previously served as CEO of TAG Heuer, was appointed head of LVMH Watches in March but retained his role as CEO of Bulgari.
Under Babin’s leadership, the jewelry brand underwent a “profound transformation,” said LVMH, noting its advancements in watchmaking and its expansion into the luxury hospitality industry via new hotels.
Babin was also a part of the expansion of Bulgari’s factory in Valenza, Italy, and the launch of La Scuola Bulgari, its jewelry school.
He will continue to serve as chairman of the Bulgari board, CEO of the Bulgari hotel business unit, and president of the Bulgari Foundation even after Burdese takes over as CEO of the brand.
Both Babin and Burdese will report to Stéphane Bianchi, LVMH group managing director.
“Jean-Christophe has shaped the success of TAG Heuer and Bulgari while creating unique paths within their respective industries,” Bianchi said in a statement from LVMH on the appointment.
“I am confident that in his new missions, he will bring the same energy and keep on supporting LVMH and its maisons thanks to his extraordinary vision.”
Incoming Bulgari CEO Burdese joined LVMH in 2016 as CEO of Italian fragrance brand Acqua di Parma.
Burdese started at Bulgari in 2022 as chief marketing officer and was promoted to deputy CEO of the brand in July 2024.
“The nomination of Laura, while opening a new chapter for Bulgari, is a tribute to her strong contribution and accomplishments,” Bianchi said.
Prior to working at LVMH, Burdese was with the Swatch Group for 17 years, including as president and CEO of Calvin Klein, watch and jewelry, as per her LinkedIn profile.
She has also held roles at L’Oréal and German consumer goods manufacturer Beiersdorf.
The transition from one leader to the next is going smoothly, Bianchi said.
“For the past three years, Laura and Jean-Christophe have worked side by side to sustain and orchestrate the brand elevation of the iconic Roman jewelry maison,” he said.
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