Luxury group LVMH has announced the appointment of Laura Burdese as Chief Executive Officer of Bulgari, effective July 1, 2026. The move signals a deliberate and seamless leadership transition for one of Italy’s most iconic jewelry houses.
Burdese, 54, has served as deputy managing director of Bulgari since July 2024 and will succeed Jean-Christophe Babin, who has led the Roman maison since 2013. Babin will remain chairman of Bulgari’s board of directors while continuing in his roles as CEO of Bulgari Hotels and president of the Bulgari Foundation. He also continues as CEO of LVMH Watches, overseeing brands including Tag Heuer, Hublot, and Zenith.
In her new role, Burdese will report directly to Stéphane Bianchi, deputy managing director of LVMH and CEO of LVMH Watches and Jewellery.
“I am very proud of this seamless transition,” Bianchi said in a statement. “Over the past three years, Laura and Jean-Christophe have worked hand in hand to orchestrate the elevation of the iconic house of Bulgari.”
Burdese brings nearly a decade of experience within the LVMH ecosystem. She joined the group in 2016 as CEO of Acqua di Parma, where she led the brand’s international expansion and reinforced its luxury positioning. In 2022, she transitioned to Bulgari as vice president of marketing and communications, later rising to deputy managing director. Prior to LVMH, Burdese held senior roles at Beiersdorf, L’Oréal, and Swatch, building a career rooted in brand strategy, marketing, and global leadership.
Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment for LVMH’s Watches and Jewellery division, which includes Bulgari, Tiffany & Co., Tag Heuer, and Chaumet. In the first nine months of 2025, the division reported revenues of €7.4 billion, reflecting a modest 2 percent decline amid broader market pressures. Despite this, Bulgari remains one of the group’s strongest performers and a key pillar of its luxury portfolio.
Under Babin’s leadership, Bulgari underwent a remarkable transformation. After its acquisition by LVMH in 2011, when revenues were below €1 billion, the brand experienced rapid growth. By 2020, sales had reached an estimated €2 billion, and by 2024, revenues climbed to approximately €3.27 billion, according to HSBC estimates. Babin’s tenure was defined by the expansion of Bulgari’s high jewelry collections, watchmaking division, and hospitality business, as well as a renewed focus on Italian craftsmanship.
Among his most notable achievements were the opening of a large-scale jewelry production facility in Valenza and the launch of Scuola Bulgari, a training school dedicated to preserving and advancing jewelry-making expertise in Italy.
“For the past three years, Laura and Jean-Christophe have worked side by side to sustain and elevate the iconic Roman jewelry maison,” Bianchi added. “The nomination of Laura opens a new chapter for Bulgari and recognizes her strong contribution and accomplishments.”
As Burdese prepares to step into the CEO role, her appointment underscores LVMH’s commitment to continuity, internal leadership development, and long-term brand stewardship. For Bulgari, it marks the beginning of a new era built on a strong foundation of heritage, craftsmanship, and global luxury influence.
