In a significant move for the luxury brand, Tiffany & Co. has appointed David Ponzo as its new deputy chief executive officer. This newly established and enhanced position allows Ponzo to assume responsibilities previously held by Gavin Haig, the former chief commercial officer who stepped down in 2025. In his role as deputy CEO, Ponzo will play a vital part in shaping the strategic direction of Tiffany by overseeing the global retail and corporate commercial aspects of the organization. His responsibilities will encompass all retail regions and commercial operations, including client relations, excellence in retail service, brand and store experiences, digital platforms, omnichannel strategies, and global customer service. Additionally, he will oversee both the jewelry and high jewelry product divisions, as well as a newly formed strategic business development sector.
Before joining Tiffany, Ponzo spent five successful years at Louis Vuitton, where he was the chief commercial officer responsible for the watches and jewelry segment. His leadership contributed significantly to elevating the brand's status by honing in on local customer bases and premium product offerings. Prior to his role at Louis Vuitton, he served as president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Japan and held various senior positions within Swatch Group and Omega across Asia.
"David is a leader held in high esteem, known for his remarkable ability to merge strategic foresight with commercial success and a profound understanding of luxury clientele," praised Anthony Ledru, the president and CEO of Tiffany & Co. He added, "Ponzo’s extensive international experience and commitment to retail excellence will be crucial as we strive to further enhance Tiffany & Co. and expedite our long-term growth trajectory."
Ponzo will report directly to Ledru and will also be a member of the global executive committee, which speaks to the importance of his role within the company.
This elevation of Ponzo aligns with a broader strategy at LVMH, Tiffany's parent company, which has recently reinforced its management structure with the addition of deputy CEO roles across other prestigious brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Bulgari. This trend demonstrates LVMH's preference for nurturing talent from within its own ranks.
Hugues Bonnet-Masimbert, who is currently the CEO of Rimowa—the luxury luggage brand owned by LVMH since 2016—will take over Ponzo's previous position at Louis Vuitton, effective March 1. Bonnet-Masimbert will report to Pietro Beccari, who holds dual roles as chairman and CEO of both Louis Vuitton and LVMH. In his new role, he will manage all geographic zones, international retail operations, digital initiatives, and client development efforts, as well as aspects related to architecture and hospitality, supply chain, and logistics, according to internal communications reviewed by industry experts.
"His demonstrated ability to drive transformation and enhance the brand's desirability makes him the perfect candidate to lead the ongoing elevation of our retail experience, characterized by dynamism, operational excellence, and the bold spirit that our brand embodies," Beccari stated in the announcement.
Bonnet-Masimbert has been with the LVMH Group since 1996, holding various sales positions at brands such as Loewe, Celine, and Berluti before transitioning to Rimowa in 2018, where he has overseen impressive growth.
As for Rimowa, a successor to Bonnet-Masimbert has not yet been determined.
On another note, Tiffany has also elevated Thierry Vasseur to executive vice president of jewelry, high jewelry, and home and accessories. Vasseur, who joined the company in 2021, has been pivotal in enhancing creativity and distinctiveness within the jewelry sector and saw his responsibilities broadened in 2025 to encompass home and accessory lines.
"I am thrilled to welcome David to the team and to promote Thierry into this extended role as we further solidify our leadership team," Ledru expressed.
In his new capacity, Vasseur will spearhead product marketing and merchandising strategies, working closely with zone presidents. He will report directly to Ponzo, who is set to officially begin his duties on January 26.
