AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
MajorsJul 17, 2017
Mark Light Retiring, Signet Appoints First Female CEO
Light will retire at the end of the month and be succeeded by Virginia “Gina” C. Drosos, a former biotech executive who has been on the company’s board since 2012.
Virginia “Gina” C. Drosos, the former CEO of Assurex Health and a Signet board member since 2012, has been named the new CEO of Signet Jewelers Ltd., succeeding the retiring Mark Light.
Akron, Ohio--Signet Jewelers Ltd. announced Monday that longtime executive and current CEO Mark Light will retire at the end of the month and be succeeded by Virginia “Gina” C. Drosos, a former biotech executive who has been on the company’s board since 2012.
The 55-year-old Light has spent his entire career at Signet and has been its CEO since 2014.
Prior to becoming CEO, Light was Signet’s president and chief operating officer and, before that, headed the company’s Sterling Jewelers division, the arm of Signet that includes the Kay Jewelers and Jared the Galleria of Jewelry chains.
He is set to retire on July 31. Drosos will take over as CEO on Aug. 1.
Signet said Monday that Light is retiring due to health reasons.
His retirement comes at a time when the retailer’s sales are slumping and many longtime executives are leaving the company as its works to adjust to the changes in retail and improve its digital capabilities.
Drosos has been an independent director on Signet’s board since 2012.
She serves on the Compensation, and Nomination and Corporate Governance committees, plus the Customer Experience subcommittee focused on omnichannel strategy and the new Respect in the Workforce committee, formed just this year to “reaffirm” the company’s commitment to equal opportunity after The Washington Post published a damaging story detailing past accounts of sexual harassment and mistreatment of female employees at the company.
Drosos is the first woman to head the retailer, which traces its roots back to 1857 with the opening of the first H. Samuel store.
Prior to her time with Signet, Drosos was the president and CEO of Assurex Health, a Mason, Ohio-based biotech company, and, prior to that, worked as a group president of Global Beauty Care at Procter & Gamble.
At Assurex, she delivered “significant revenue growth” and oversaw the August 2016 sale of the company to Myriad Genetics, leading her to receive the Venture Ohio Exit of the Year, Cincinnati USA Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year and EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
“I am honored to serve as the CEO of Signet and look forward to working with our strong management and team members to deliver our revised 2020 Vision, which is focused on bridal, digital and women’s fashion,” Drosos said in the company release announcing her appointment.
Signet’s announcement that it has a new CEO comes less than a week after another major jewelry retail chain, Tiffany & Co.,
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
announced a change at the top.
More on Majors
The Latest
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US OpenThe pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.
