Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
Richemont Names Jérôme Lambert Group CEO
The news came amid its five-month fiscal results, in which sales were up 25 percent led by its jewelry division.

Geneva—Richemont has announced the promotion of Group COO Jérôme Lambert to Group CEO, effective immediately.
Lambert has served in a number of top roles at Richemont, including heading up both Jaeger-LeCoultre and Montblanc. More recently, he oversaw the company’s specialist watchmakers division before taking on the role of COO last year.
Richemont’s specialist watchmakers, online distributors and other businesses, as well as central and regional functions, will now report directly to him.
Lambert will continue to be supported by Sophie Guieysse, group human resources director; Federico Marchetti, CEO of YOOX Net-a-Porter Group; Emmanuel Perrin, head of the Specialist Watchmaker Maisons; and Eric Vallat, head of Fashion and Accessories Maisons.
He will work with Cartier CEO Cyrille Vigneron, Van Cleef & Arpels CEO Nicolas Bos and Burkhart Grund, chief finance officer on the Richemont board.
The position has been empty since March 2017, when then-CEO Richard Lepeu retired and Richemont decided to restructure the responsibilities of senior management, doing away with the position and instead giving the heads of each brand and division more autonomy.
In the press release announcing Lambert’s appointment, the company said it came at a time when “consumer habits are changing significantly.” It also said that as they aim to meet those challenges, he will lead the development of “strategic plans reflecting the long-term objectives and priorities established by the board.”
The news of his appointment came at the same time as Richemont’s reporting of its five-month results ended Aug. 31.
The company said sales for the period were up 25 percent at constant exchange rates and 22 percent at actual exchange rates.
Excluding Yoox-Net-a-Porter Group and the recently acquired Watchfinder—as the two have only been consolidated into its accounts since May 1 and June 1, respectively—sales for the five-month period increased by 10 percent at constant exchange rates and 7 percent at actual exchange rates.
The company said its double-digit sales growth was driven primarily by a strong performance from its jewelry houses—Cartier, Piaget and Van Cleef & Arpels—where sales were up 14 percent.
It also attributed the growth to the first-time consolidation of its online distributors division; in this new business area, which regrouped Yoox-Net-a-Porter Group and Watchfinder, sales grew at a double digit rate.
RELATED CONTNET: Van Cleef Picks a New President for the AmericasBy market, Richemont said all regions except the Middle East posted growth, led by “solid momentum” in Asia Pacific and the Americas.
Wholesale sales were up 2 percent as the company continued to focus on aligning inventories with client demand.
As for the rest of Richemont’s product categories, its other businesses reported a 4 percent sales growth, with most of its houses performing positively.
The Latest

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

The organization also announced its board of directors.


Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.

The feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.