Two Longtime Managers Exit Pandora

RAPAPORT... Pandora's US division will have new roles to fill, astwo senior executives leave the company. Laurie McDonald will exit the Danish jeweler after 15 years,the last three spent as the general manager of Pandora US, while JohnDePasquale, US vice president of wholesale sales, will depart after six yearsat the company. "[McDonald] has decided to leave the company to begin a newchapter in her life," Mads Twomey-Madsen, vice president of corporatecommunications and sustainability for Pandora, said earlier this week. "We wishboth [McDonald and DePasquale] all the best in their new endeavors." During the transition, Sid Keswani, whom Pandora hired aspresident for the Americas last year, will lead the US team. The company issearching for replacements, but does "not wish to rush the recruitments,"Twomey-Madsen explained. Meanwhile, Pandora has taken on Erik Schmidt as its chiefhuman resources officer. He is tasked with helping the company grow itsProgramme Now project, a brand-transformation plan, and cut costs by DKK 1.2billion ($179.1 million) by the end of 2020. Schmidt was previously the chief human resources officer atBritax, a manufacturer of child-safety products. Pandora CEO Alexander Lacik also joined the jeweler from the same company inApril. Following a short handover, Pandora's senior vice presidentof group human resources, Mads Kamp, will leave the company to make room forSchmidt, who will begin August 12. Image: Laurie McDonald. (Pandora)