SourcingJun 28, 2024
Fura Gems CEO Dev Shetty Steps DownMajorsJul 02, 2024
Richemont Names New CEOs for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels
Current Cartier CEO Cyrille Vigneron is retiring in September while former VCA head Nicolas Bos is now Richemont’s CEO.
Louis Ferla (left) will take on the role of Cartier CEO on Sept.1 while Catherine Rénier will step in as CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels. (Images courtesy of LinkedIn)
Geneva—Richemont announced major changes to its executive team Tuesday, appointing two of its watch brand CEOs to lead Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels.
Cyrille Vigneron, CEO of Cartier, will step down on Sept. 1. He is retiring after eight years as head of Cartier and decades in the luxury industry.
Vigneron will take on the role of chairman of Cartier Culture and Philanthropy and help with the transition period.
Louis Ferla, currently CEO of Vacheron Constantin, will take over as CEO of Cartier.
Ferla joined Richemont in 2001, starting at Alfred Dunhill as area sales manager in Hong Kong and then as general manager in Taipei, Taiwan.
In 2006, he joined Cartier, where he held various senior executive positions in the Middle East, India, and Africa before being appointed CEO of the brand in China.
In 2015, Ferla was promoted to Cartier’s executive committee as the international director of clients and business. He was named Vacheron Constantin CEO in 2017.
Richemont did not say who would take on this soon-to-be vacant role.
Johann Rupert, Richemont’s chairman of the board, welcomed Ferla.
“I am delighted Louis has accepted to take on the top role at Cartier. He has earned the admiration and respect of his colleagues across the group and of the industry at large for having so brilliantly positioned Vacheron Constantin at the pinnacle of haute horlogerie. His experience and leadership qualities will prove invaluable for Cartier’s long-term success,” he said.
Rupert also thanked Vigneron for his service to the brand.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Cyrille for his vision and bold leadership over the last eight years, under which Cartier has reached new heights becoming the reference in the world of luxury.
“I would also like to thank Cyrille for helping identify Louis as his successor. I wish Cyrille all the best in his new role, where I know he will be working on topics that he has always felt passionate about.”
Related stories will be right here …
Cyrille Vigneron, CEO of Cartier, will step down on Sept. 1. He is retiring after eight years as head of Cartier and decades in the luxury industry.
Vigneron will take on the role of chairman of Cartier Culture and Philanthropy and help with the transition period.
Louis Ferla, currently CEO of Vacheron Constantin, will take over as CEO of Cartier.
Ferla joined Richemont in 2001, starting at Alfred Dunhill as area sales manager in Hong Kong and then as general manager in Taipei, Taiwan.
In 2006, he joined Cartier, where he held various senior executive positions in the Middle East, India, and Africa before being appointed CEO of the brand in China.
In 2015, Ferla was promoted to Cartier’s executive committee as the international director of clients and business. He was named Vacheron Constantin CEO in 2017.
Richemont did not say who would take on this soon-to-be vacant role.
Johann Rupert, Richemont’s chairman of the board, welcomed Ferla.
“I am delighted Louis has accepted to take on the top role at Cartier. He has earned the admiration and respect of his colleagues across the group and of the industry at large for having so brilliantly positioned Vacheron Constantin at the pinnacle of haute horlogerie. His experience and leadership qualities will prove invaluable for Cartier’s long-term success,” he said.
Rupert also thanked Vigneron for his service to the brand.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Cyrille for his vision and bold leadership over the last eight years, under which Cartier has reached new heights becoming the reference in the world of luxury.
“I would also like to thank Cyrille for helping identify Louis as his successor. I wish Cyrille all the best in his new role, where I know he will be working on topics that he has always felt passionate about.”
The new CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels is Jaeger-LeCoultre CEO Catherine Rénier.
She succeeds Nicolas Bos, who was appointed CEO of Richemont, and will take over on Sept. 1.
Rénier has more than 20 years of experience in jewelry and watches at Richemont, joining the company in 1999 as Cartier North America’s retail development director in New York.
In 2003, she moved to Paris, joining Van Cleef & Arpels as deputy marketing manager, where she helped to develop the brand.
She relocated again in 2008 to Hong Kong to drive the brand’s growth in the Asia Pacific region. She was its commercial director, then managing director for Hong Kong, Macau, and China in 2011.
Rénier later was appointed president of the Asia Pacific region, a role she held for eight years.
She became CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre in 2018.
Bos welcomed Rénier to her new role.
“I am delighted Catherine will be taking on the role of CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels after 6 years at the helm of Jaeger-LeCoultre where she built a strong leadership team and a clear and differentiated positioning for the maison, which has been foundational to its success during her tenure,” he said.
“Catherine brings the perfect mix of experience and leadership skills to the role, which, coupled with her deep knowledge of the maison, will enable her to ensure Van Cleef & Arpels long-term success.”
Philippe Hermann, chief financial officer of Jaeger-LeCoultre, will take on the role of ad interim CEO at the watch brand until a new CEO is announced.
More on Majors
The Latest
SourcingOct 27, 2026
De Beers Celebrates the Holidays With New ‘Desert Diamonds’ CampaignThe “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond ImportersSolomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New JewelsThe fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2026
JFC Announces 2027 ‘Facets’ HonoreesThe annual fundraising event is slated for June 6, 2027, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 26, 2026
Bliss Lau’s ‘Vantage’ Point Is the Hawaiian HorizonIn her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.
Events & AwardsOct 26, 2026
Support JFC’s ‘Monster Mash Challenge,’ If You DareVote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
