De Beers Group has announced that Céline Assimon will succeed François Delage as Chief Executive Officer of De Beers Jewellers. After a decade at the helm of De Beers Jewellers, François will step down as CEO at the end of September, with Céline joining the business on 1 September to ensure a seamless transition of leadership.
Céline has a strong track record as a creative and inspirational leader with extensive global experience across marketing, sales and merchandising in the high-end jewellery and luxury sector. As Worldwide Head of High Jewellery and High Watchmaking Sales at Louis Vuitton, and later on with Piaget as their High Jewellery and Exceptional Pieces Director, Céline has successfully led the commercial development of these brands’ global footprints, with a focus on the most discerning clients. Céline was most recently CEO at luxury brand de Grisogono.
Stephen Lussier, Chairman of De Beers Jewellers and Executive Vice President, Consumer & Brands at De Beers Group, said: “I’m really looking forward to Céline joining the business and leading it into its next phase of growth. As consumers increasingly seek out high quality and distinctive jewellery from leading luxury brands there is a great opportunity ahead, and Céline’s creative vision and outstanding expertise make her the ideal choice to help us capture it.
“I’d also like to thank François for his decade of service to De Beers Group and his contribution to our success over the years. As CEO firstly of Forevermark, and then of De Beers Jewellers, François has been a passionate leader with a love of diamonds and an uncompromising commitment to the beauty that distinguishes De Beers Group’s diamonds from those of other brands.”
Céline Assimon said: “I am incredibly honoured to join De Beers Group and excited to begin writing the next chapter in De Beers Jewellers’ story. De Beers Jewellers holds tremendous potential as a trusted and creative high-end Maison. Together with the De Beers Jewellers team, I look forward to telling the story of our beautiful Maison and enchanting clients with our amazing creations.”
Céline holds a master’s degree from the Audencia Nantes, is a GIA graduate and speaks English, French, Italian and Spanish.