LVMH Appoints Jean-Christophe Babin CEO Of LVMH Watches Unit

Jean-Christophe Babin has taken over from Frédéric Arnault as CEO of LVMH Watches, home to TAG Heuer, Hublot and Zenith. After spending a quarter of a century within LVMH Watches & Jewellery, first with TAG Heuer and later at Bulgari, the Bulgari CEO will now take the reins at LVMH Watches.

He will also maintain his current responsibilities as chief executive of Bulgari, according to a statement from LVMH this morning. Prior to taking the top job at Bulgari, Mr Babin was CEO of TAG Heuer from 2000 to 2012.

Stéphane Bianchi, LVMH group managing director, says Mr Babin will build on the work of Mr Arnault, who held the newly-created role of LVMH Watches for a year.

“Under the leadership of Frédéric Arnault, the watches division has undertaken a significant transformation, including the implementation of operational synergies between the group’s watchmaking maisons and substantial work on the positioning and challenges of each of them,” Mr Bianchi says.

“I thank Frédéric and am pleased to see this dynamic continue with the appointment of Jean-Christophe, who will leverage his entrepreneurial spirit, energy, and exceptional leadership qualities to serve the sustainable and ambitious growth of the division,” he adds.