MajorsNov 19, 2021
Swarovski Adds Non-Family to BoardMajorsJun 22, 2022
Swarovski Names First Non-Family CEO
Retail veteran Alexis Nasard will step in as CEO on July 4.
Alexis Nasard, who has held various roles in retail for more than 30 years, is the first non-family CEO in Swarovski’s 127-year history.
Maennedorf, Switzerland—Swarovski has a new CEO, and for the first time in its 127-year history, it’s not a family member.
Retail veteran Alexis Nasard will take on the role of CEO July 4.
“His most important task will be to anchor the Swarovski brand firmly in its iconic luxury heritage and lead the transformation of the Swarovski business along the full value chain for scale and profitable growth,” said the company.
Previously, Nasard was a senior business advisor at McKinsey & Company.
He was also the CEO of Kantar, a data analytics and brand consulting company, but left the position after four months.
Prior to that, he was the CEO of Swiss footwear brand Bata from 2016 until 2020, and before that, held various roles at Heineken, including global chief marketing officer, as per his LinkedIn profile.
Nasard has been in the retail industry for more than 30 years, including 17 years as a general manager at consumer goods giant Proctor and Gamble.
“With the appointment of [the] first external CEO, we are taking an important further step in establishing a sustainable governance model,” said Luisa Delgado, chair of Swarovski’s board of directors.
“With Alexis Nasard as the new CEO, we are very pleased to have been able to select a highly experienced and transformational leadership personality who is capable of leading Swarovski in the affirmation of its iconic luxury heritage and through its business transformation.”
Related stories will be right here …
Retail veteran Alexis Nasard will take on the role of CEO July 4.
“His most important task will be to anchor the Swarovski brand firmly in its iconic luxury heritage and lead the transformation of the Swarovski business along the full value chain for scale and profitable growth,” said the company.
Previously, Nasard was a senior business advisor at McKinsey & Company.
He was also the CEO of Kantar, a data analytics and brand consulting company, but left the position after four months.
Prior to that, he was the CEO of Swiss footwear brand Bata from 2016 until 2020, and before that, held various roles at Heineken, including global chief marketing officer, as per his LinkedIn profile.
Nasard has been in the retail industry for more than 30 years, including 17 years as a general manager at consumer goods giant Proctor and Gamble.
“With the appointment of [the] first external CEO, we are taking an important further step in establishing a sustainable governance model,” said Luisa Delgado, chair of Swarovski’s board of directors.
“With Alexis Nasard as the new CEO, we are very pleased to have been able to select a highly experienced and transformational leadership personality who is capable of leading Swarovski in the affirmation of its iconic luxury heritage and through its business transformation.”
Nasard said he’s excited to join the company and take on the challenge of leading the storied brand.
“Swarovski fascinates me as a luxury brand, a cultural icon, and as a fully integrated business model, with its unique positioning in the world of jewelry, design, fashion, stage, and screen,” said Nasar.
“From day 1, I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues around the world and partnering with Giovanna Engelbert, the Swarovski creative director, to implement the joint transformation plan to bring joy and delight to Swarovski customers worldwide.”
Swarovski’s executive team has been largely a family affair since the company’s founding, but its board welcomed five non-family members in November 2021.
Nasard’s appointment follows a period of upheaval at the company.
In December 2021, Nadja Swarovski, the great-great-granddaughter of company founder Daniel Swarovski, announced she was leaving the company.
Her departure was the latest of several management changes that had happened at the company.
Swarovski first announced a restructuring in May 2020, which included appointing Robert Buchbauer, also a great-great-grandchild of the company’s founder, as CEO.
Family member and executive Markus Langes-Swarovski left the board in 2020.
In October 2021, Buchbauer stepped down and Mathias Margreiter, fellow board member and Swarovski family member, stepped down as chief financial officer.
Since Buchbauer’s departure, Michele Molon has been interim CEO. He will take on the new role of chief commercial officer.
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
