Editor’s Note
This article details the strategic integration of Bulgari into LVMH’s Watches & Jewelry division, now under the leadership of Stephane Bianchi. This move consolidates the luxury group’s portfolio, positioning Bulgari alongside houses like TAG Heuer and Chaumet.
Bulgari is being integrated into the Watches & Jewelry division of LVMH. Consequently, Stephane Bianchi is now also responsible for the Italian jeweler.
Stephane Bianchi is certainly no stranger to a busy schedule. After all, he is responsible for brands like Chaumet, Fred, TAG Heuer, Hublot, and Zenith – the Watches & Jewelry division of LVMH. Now, the heavyweight Bulgari is being added. This consolidates almost all watch and jewelry brands within this division. However, Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin retains his position. He will simply no longer report to LVMH Deputy CEO Toni Belloni, but rather to Bianchi, who is responsible for the fortunes of this division. Only Tiffany & Co. will continue to be managed outside the Watches & Jewelry division.
In this statement, the French luxury group also announced “the appointment of Stéphane Bianchi as President of the Watches & Jewelry division and as a member of the LVMH Executive Committee.” With this move, the French luxury conglomerate has streamlined its organization and consolidated the activities of the watch and jewelry division under a single leadership.
Bianchi joined LVMH in 2018. His first responsibility was for TAG Heuer. However, last July, Frédéric Arnault, the fourth son of Bernard Arnault, took over this position. In turn, Bianchi took over the Hublot and Zenith brands. Two years later, he was promoted to head the entire division. Additionally, he assumed responsibility for the jewelry brands Chaumet and Fred.
Bianchi completed his studies at the Institut d’études politiques de Paris. He then began his career at the auditing firm Arthur Andersen. Subsequently, he worked primarily for the Yves Rocher Group, where he was notably responsible for the Petit Bateau brand. From 2005 to 2009, he was the CEO of this brand. He had already been CEO of Yves Rocher from 1998 to 2015. Bianchi is currently still a member of the board of directors of the Swiss group Maus Frères. This is a retail conglomerate that includes, among others, the department store chain Manor, the drugstore chain Parashop, the restaurant chain Manora, and the sporting goods chain Athleticum.