Pandora has hired Martino Pessina (pictured), H&M’s president of North America, as its first chief commercial officer, the Copenhagen, Denmark–based company announced Tuesday.

Pandora first disclosed that it was creating the position earlier this month. In his new role, Pessina will be responsible for commercial operations across the charm brand’s 100-plus markets and will work to improve global merchandising, store development, planning, and execution. He will also lead a new function called network and franchise management, overseeing the company’s retailers and franchises globally.

Pessina has spent close to 20 years in different roles at H&M, overseeing retail sales, merchandising, operations, and global expansion.

According to Pandora, as head of H&M North America, Pessina “led a remarkable sales and profit turnaround on the fashion retailer’s North American market, which exceeds $4 billion in revenue, has 20,000 employees, and operates more than 700 stores.”

Chief executive officer Alexander Lacik said in a statement that “as part of our turnaround program, we are strengthening the organization and moving Pandora closer to consumers. Martino has an impressive track record in international mass-market fashion retail and will play a very important role in this transformation. He is a natural leader with excellent analytical skills and a deep understanding of shoppers.”

Added Pessina in the same statement, “The company is now on a journey to step-change the relevance and reach of the brand, and that is incredibly exciting for me to be part of.”

(Image via: LinkedIn)

Rob Bates

JCK News Director