Laurent Cathala to lead Gucci’s fashion business in Greater China

By

Dominique Muret

Translated by
Roberta HERRERA

Published
Apr 6, 2022

Gucci is reorganizing its management in Greater China. The flagship brand of luxury group Kering has chosen to separate its watch and jewelry business from its fashion business within the region, creating a brand new management position. Laurent Cathala has been appointed president of Greater China fashion business and “will join Gucci in the near future and will be based in Shanghai, reporting directly to CEO Marco Bizzarri," as indicated by the fashion house in a statement. 

Laurent Cathala has more than 15 years of experience in the luxury industry. After starting his career at Moulinex, the manager joined LVMH in 2005, where he held various roles for several years, including Europe export director, brand general manager of Givenchy Parfums, general manager of LVMH in Ukraine and CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), and general manager of Guerlain in the Middle East.

In 2007, he transferred over to the American makeup brand MAC Cosmetics and served as brand general manager in the Middle East and India.

Two years later, he joined American jewelry brand Tiffany & Co., where he worked for 12 years, first as vice president of emerging markets in Dubai, before being promoted to president of Greater China and president of the North Asia region, roles he has held for the past seven years. He is succeeded as head of Greater China at Tiffany’s (acquired last year by LVMH) by Maxence Kinget, former head of Swiss watch brand Jaeger-Lecoultre (Richemont), where he oversaw the same region.

"In order to ensure consistency in the repositioning of the category, the watches and jewelry business will be managed globally from Milan, where the company is headquartered," said Gucci, noting that as a result, Lilian Chen, managing director of watches and jewelry for Greater China, will now report directly to Maurizio Pisanu, the division's global managing director and global director of high end, lifestyle and décor.