Laura Burdese will lead Bulgari as CEO starting July 1, while Jean-Christophe Babin remains involved in key roles.
Key Takeaways:
- Laura Burdese steps into the CEO role after serving as deputy since 2023.
- Jean-Christophe Babin stays on as chairman, head of Bulgari Hotels, and president of the Bulgari Foundation.
- The move signals LVMH’s strategic continuity while deepening operational leadership across jewelry and hospitality.
Bulgari will usher in a new era of leadership this July, as Laura Burdese is set to become chief executive officer of the storied Roman jeweler. Her promotion follows a one-year stint as deputy CEO and more than two decades of executive experience across beauty, watches, and luxury retail.
The transition comes as Jean-Christophe Babin, who has led Bulgari since 2013, pivots to focus on key growth verticals within the maison, including its expanding hotel division and philanthropic foundation. He will remain chairman of the Bulgari board, CEO of Bulgari Hotels, and president of the Bulgari Foundation, continuing to report to Stéphane Bianchi, CEO of LVMH Watches & Jewelry.
Burdese, also reporting to Bianchi, has been instrumental in Bulgari’s recent marketing evolution and helped oversee the development of its new high-tech jewelry manufacturing site in Valenza, inaugurated this spring. That facility—now the largest of its kind dedicated to a single brand—includes Scuola Bulgari, a new public training school aimed at fostering craftsmanship talent within Italy.
The leadership shift reflects a carefully choreographed handover between two seasoned executives who have worked closely to elevate Bulgari’s profile through both product innovation and branded experiences. Burdese’s ascent also reinforces LVMH’s focus on internal succession and cross-sector leadership development. She previously led Acqua di Parma and held senior roles at Swatch Group and L’Oréal.
During his tenure, Babin was pivotal in advancing Bulgari’s watchmaking credentials—most recently celebrated with the Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC, the world’s thinnest mechanical timepiece. His leadership also extended to hospitality, with Bulgari Hotels now present in Rome, Paris, Tokyo, and beyond, with further openings slated for Miami and Los Angeles.
As Burdese steps into the top job, the maison is positioned to continue its strategic expansion across jewelry, watches, hospitality, and cultural programming, supported by a legacy of Italian craftsmanship and a sharpened global vision.