The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
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.

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.,
The Latest

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.


The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.

The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

Signatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.