After what Audemars Piguet says was an “extensive global search,” the Le Brassus-based company has found a replacement for longtime CEO François-Henry Bennahmias.
In just the past few years, coveted high-end Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet finally earned a place in the billion-dollar revenue club — a feat very few Swiss watch brands have achieved. According to Morgan Stanley estimates, this places Audemars Piguet as the number four Swiss watch brand in the world as of the end of 2022.
Bennahmias will undoubtedly leave his successor, Ilaria Resta, in a good position when she joins the company officially in August 2023. From August 2023 to January 2023, Bennahmias will remain at Audemars Piguet to ensure a seamless transition, until Resta fully takes over on January 1, 2024.
Ms. Resta is a Swiss-Italian national who resides near Geneva, Switzerland and brings over 26 years of international experience, most recently as President of Global Perfumery & Ingredients at Firmenich, and prior to that, she worked for Procter & Gamble for over two decades with senior roles in its European and US headquarters.
We are delighted to welcome Ms. Resta as our new Chief Executive Officer. A visionary leader with a passion for craftsmanship, Ilaria will take Audemars Piguet into the future as we continue to develop our brand, blend tradition with innovation, and strengthen our direct connection to clients. Her proven record of delivering results through a clear strategic thinking based on deep consumer insights will keep AP’s legacy relevant for generations to come and ensure long lasting growth. Ilaria’s belief in the empowerment of teams and her accomplishments as an inspirational leader in corporate sustainability fully align with Audemars Piguet’s long-standing values as an independent family-owned company. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we would like to thank François for his three decades of service. His transformational leadership has been essential in building the success story AP is today. We are grateful for his indelible contribution and his commitment to stay until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.
Alessandro Bogliolo, Chairman of Audemars Piguet
Photo by Audemars Piguet.
