LVMH is promoting Laura Burdese to CEO of Bvlgari. Burdese joined LVMH Group in 2016 as CEO of Acqua di Parma, before moving over to Bvlgari in 2022 as chief marketing officer. She was then promoted to deputy CEO in July 2024. In her new role, effective July 1, Burdese will report to LVMH managing director and CEO of LVMH Watches Jewelry Stéphane Bianchi, according to a release from the luxury group.
Deputy CEO Laura Burdese and creative director of leather goods and accessories Mary Katrantzou joined the Vogue Business Global Summit to share how the heritage brand made the most of a new position.
Burdese succeeds Jean-Christophe Babin who will continue to serve as chair of the Bvlgari board, CEO of the Bvlgari Hotel business and president of the Bvlgari Foundation, as well as CEO of LVMH Watches, which includes Tag Heuer, Hublot and Zenith.
Babin has been CEO of Bvlgari since 2013. He was previously CEO of Tag Heuer from 2000 to 2012. Under his leadership, Bvlgari became a megabrand that reached revenues of €3.27 billion in 2024, according to HSBC estimates. The Roman house’s sales were less than €1 billion in 2010, before its acquisition by LVMH in 2011, and have grown rapidly in the last five years. According to Morgan Stanley estimates, sales hit €2 billion in 2020.
The move aims ‘to support the growth of LVMH Watches division’.
Among Babin’s achievements is the expansion of Bvlgari’s high jewelry, watchmaking and hotels. The LVMH release also stressed his strong commitment to Italian craftsmanship, notably reflected in the inauguration of a super-sized jewelry production site in Valenza, as well as Scuola Bvlgari, a training school focused on jewelry.
“For the past three years, Laura and Jean-Christophe have worked side by side to sustain and orchestrate the brand elevation of the iconic Roman jewelry maison,” Bianchi said in a statement. “The nomination of Laura, while opening a new chapter for Bvlgari, is a tribute to her strong contribution and accomplishments. Jean-Christophe has shaped the success of Tag Heuer and Bvlgari while creating unique paths within their respective industries. I am confident that he will bring the same energy and keep on supporting LVMH and its maisons thanks to his extraordinary vision.”
