Bvlgari names Laura Burdese as CEO, effective July 2026

Luxury jeweller Bvlgari has appointed Laura Burdese as its next chief executive officer, marking a carefully sequenced leadership transition at one of LVMH’s most prominent Italian maisons.

The appointment, announced by LVMH, will take effect in July 2026, according to Reuters. Burdese will succeed Jean-Christophe Babin, a long-serving group executive who has led Bvlgari for more than a decade and will remain closely associated with the brand.

Burdese is a long-time LVMH executive and currently serves as deputy CEO of Bvlgari, a role she assumed in 2024. She joined the Roman jewellery house in 2022 as chief marketing officer, after previously leading Acqua di Parma as CEO, where she oversaw its international expansion and brand repositioning.

Under the new structure, Burdese will report to Stéphane Bianchi, LVMH group managing director and head of the watches and jewellery division. Babin will continue as chairman of Bvlgari, retain leadership of Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts, and remain president of the Bvlgari Foundation, LVMH said.

Commenting on the transition, Bianchi said Burdese and Babin have worked in close partnership over the past three years, allowing for a “natural and progressive” handover of responsibilities, Reuters reported.

During Babin’s tenure, Bvlgari strengthened its position in high jewellery and watchmaking, deepened its Roman identity as a core brand asset, and expanded into luxury hospitality. He also invested heavily in Italian manufacturing, including the expansion of the Valenza production site and the launch of Scuola Bvlgari, a training academy for jewellery craftsmanship.

Burdese brings more than two decades of experience across beauty, fashion and watches. Prior to joining LVMH, she held senior roles at Beiersdorf, L’Oréal, The Swatch Group, and Calvin Klein Watch & Jewelry. She holds a degree in international economics from the University of Trieste and a master’s in marketing and communication.

The appointment signals continuity rather than disruption for Bvlgari, as LVMH seeks to balance long-term brand stewardship with generational leadership renewal across its portfolio.