Sebastian Picardo is new Monica Vinader CEO

UK-based jeweller Monica Vinader has a new CEO with Sebastian Picardo now at the helm of the brand that has been run by its founders for its entire history.

Picardo is a seasoned luxury executive who’s worked at Holt Renfrew, Lane Crawford, Burberry, Net-A-Porter and Alexander McQueen. 

His most recent role was as president & CEO at Canada’s Holt Renfrew for five years, joining in summer 2020 as the pandemic made it one of the most difficult periods for luxury department stores.

Before that he’d spent six years at one of Asia-Pacific’s key names, Lane Crawford, ending his time there as deputy president. Previously he’s been digital commerce MD at Burberry, head of finance at Net-A-porter, and financial controller at Alexander McQueen.

So he’s clearly an extremely experienced executive and leader with crucial time spent both at the upper end of the luxury segment and also in the more affordable premium space in which Monica Vinader operates. And his knowledge of the international market should also be key.

Its big move for the brand that was founded by siblings Monica and Gabriela Vinader in 2008 and has been profitable for most of its history.

With Picardo as CEO, Monica Vinader remains an executive and also the brand’s artistic director while Gabriela Vinader has become a non-executive director.

They said Picardo is “perfectly placed to guide our next phase of growth” and will work to accelerate the business’s global reach, “scaling innovation, inspiring existing and new audiences, and setting new standards for modern luxury jewellery”.