Skip to main content
BoF Logo

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

Former Hermès CEO Patrick Thomas To Join Richemont’s Board

Setting the chrysoprase gemstone for a 'Lotus d'Orient' cocktail ring at Richemont's Van Cleef & Arpels brand. Van Cleef & Arpels.

The Swiss luxury group is set to name two new board members after announcing last month that the chief executives of its Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels brands would leave the its governing body to focus on running their respective units.

Former Hermès chief executive Patrick Thomas and environmental, social and governance advisor Jasmine Whitbread will be proposed as new non-executive directors at Richemont’s annual meeting September 8. Thomas led Hermès from 2003 until 2014, and was the only non-family member to ever serve as its chief executive. Meanwhile Whitbread is the former CEO of Save the Children International.

The governance shake-up comes as surging jewellery sales boost Richemont’s bottom line. But the outlook for its other businesses, like online luxury emporium Yoox Net-a-Porter and fashion label Chloé remains uncertain. As the pace of mergers and acquisitions heats up in luxury, reports that Kering approached Richemont’s chairman Johann Rupert about a potential tie-up have fuelled questions among financial analysts and investors about whether a deal for the company is possible.

Rupert, aged 71, owns about 9 percent of the company but retains the majority of voting rights through a dual-class share structure.

ADVERTISEMENT

In addition to Cartier CEO Cyrille Vigneron and Van Cleef boss Nicolas Bos, three other non-executive directors won’t seek reelection, Richemont said. Former Richemont chief financial officer Gary Saage, Italian businessman Ruggero Magnoni, and Jan Rupert, a group’s former manufacturing director and a cousin of Johann’s, are set to leave.

Rupert has said the changes aim to “meet the changing demands of our operating environment most efficiently and align with best practice.”

Learn more:

Richemont Needs a Transformational Move

For years, the Swiss luxury group has lagged rivals in fashion and tech, and now finds its dominance in hard luxury under threat. What is chairman Johann Rupert’s end game?

© 2024 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions

More from Luxury
Provide insight and analysis on fashion’s most powerful luxury brands.

Kering Profits to Plummet 40-45% in First Half

The guidance was issued as the French group released first-quarter sales that confirmed forecasts for a slowdown. Weak demand in China and poor performance at flagship Gucci are weighing on the group.


Can Kering Turn Things Around?

As the French luxury group attempts to get back on track, investors, former insiders and industry observers say the group needs a far more drastic overhaul than it has planned, reports Bloomberg.


view more

Subscribe to the BoF Daily Digest

The essential daily round-up of fashion news, analysis, and breaking news alerts.

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
CONNECT WITH US ON
The Business of Beauty Global Awards - Deadline 30 April 2024
© 2024 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy and Accessibility Statement.
The Business of Beauty Global Awards - Deadline 30 April 2024