Pandora Hires Tiffany Exec as North America Boss

RAPAPORT... Pandora has hired Luciano Rodembusch as general manager of its North American operations. He will succeed Sid Keswani, who left the company in April.Rodembusch, who will report to chief commercial officer Martino Pessina, made the leap to Pandora from Tiffany & Co., where he was most recently senior vice president of the Americas, the charm maker said Tuesday. Prior to his nearly 11-year stint at Tiffany, he held management positions at Diageo, a manufacturer of alcoholic beverages, as well as at pharmaceuticals company Bristol-Myers Squibb and consumer-goods conglomerate Procter & Gamble.Pandora has identified significant growth opportunities in the US - its largest market - and is planning on further expanding its business there, it noted. Rodembusch will be in charge of leading that operation, and will continue the integration of the company's physical and online stores in collaboration with its franchise partners.The North American cluster is the largest of Pandora's 10 business groups, employing more than 3,000 people and incorporating 1,500 shops and concept stores within the US, Canada and the Caribbean. It accounted for nearly a quarter of total group revenue in 2020, and has been a key element in Pandora's new Phoenix strategy, which focuses on "untapped opportunities" in its core business."[Rodembusch] comes with a wealth of experience in growing global brands and an excellent track record in jewelry," said Pessina. "He has a very strong focus on consumers, combined with great leadership capabilities, and he is just the right person to lead our continued progress in North America."August 2 will be Rodembusch's first day in his new role.Image: Luciano Rodembusch. (Pandora)