COMINGS AND GOINGS
Signet Jewelers has appointed Joan Hilson as its new chief financial officer. She previously served as CFO for David’s Bridal and replaces Michele Santana. The company has also promoted Jamie L. Singleton to president of the Kay, Zales, and Peoples nameplates. Prior to her promotion, Singleton served as executive vice president of Zales and Peoples. Kecia Caffie has been promoted to senior vice president of Piercing Pagoda. She previously served as that brand’s divisional vice president. Bill Luth, who was overseeing Kay, has been named Signet’s executive vice president of global store operations.
Pandora has named Alexander Lacik, CEO of Britax Ltd., a manufacturer of child safety products, as its new president and CEO. In addition, the charm company’s chairman, Peder Tuborgh, will step down this year after nearly five years in the role.
Rio Grande has appointed Arien Gessner, currently vice president of sales and marketing, as its next president. He succeeds the retiring Alan Bell.
Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo has appointed Geoffrey Hess as a consultant for its watch department. Previously, Hess was CEO of Analog/Shift and Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry.
RJ Watches, formerly known as RJ Romain Jérôme, has named Benoit Vulliet its new managing director of the Americas. He is the former director of sales and marketing for North America for LVMH’s Zenith brand.
Veteran industry journalist Ya’akov Almor is the new editor-in-chief of IDEX Online and IDEX magazine, the Israeli diamond trade publication. He succeeds Albert Robinson.
Petra Diamonds has appointed gold-mining veteran Richard Duffy its new CEO. He is cofounder of the Africa Energy Management Platform, which develops renewable and hybrid energy projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
Macy’s has named Patti Ongman its new chief merchandising officer. She succeeds Jeff Kantor, who had announced his decision to retire.
Watch and jewelry industry veteran Bernd Stadlwieser has been appointed new CEO of MCH Group, the trade show company that runs the Baselworld fair. He was previously group CEO of Mondaine Watch.
The board of the Women’s Jewelry Association has elected Jacqueline Cassaway, vice president of merchandising for Starboard Cruise Services, its new president-elect. She will succeed current president Jenny Luker on Jan. 1, 2020.
REMEMBERED
Patrick Murphy, owner of three-store Pottsville, Pa.–based Murphy Jewelers, was killed Feb. 28 while on vacation in New Orleans. He was 62.
COMPANIES
Graff has acquired 710 Madison Ave., which houses its New York City flagship. The firm has been there since 2001.
Frederick Goldman has bought Love Earth, a lab-grown diamond brand founded by Daniel Schneider. Schneider will join Frederick Goldman as vice president of sales.
