John Hardy is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jan-Patrick Schmitz as its new Chief Executive Officer. Schmitz, a well-respected figure in the luxury goods sector, brings a wealth of consumer and retail experience to the table.
Previously, Schmitz served as the CEO of Muirbury & Co., a firm he founded that specializes in building premium brands across various consumer sectors. His impressive career also includes a stint as Global CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of the WÜSTHOF Group.
Schmitz spent nearly two decades at Richemont, where he held several senior leadership roles at Montblanc. These roles included President and CEO of Montblanc North America, Head of Supply Chain Management, and President & CEO of Montblanc Japan.
In addition to his new role at John Hardy, Schmitz holds director roles for several global luxury goods and consumer-focused brands, including Timeless Wines, Thornwillow, and Pollaro.
Schmitz expressed his excitement about joining John Hardy, a brand that prides itself on its authenticity and community values. He looks forward to contributing to the company’s success while upholding the brand’s commitment to sustainable luxury business practices and craftsmanship.
Audrey Finci, John Hardy’s President and Interim CEO, praised Schmitz’s deep understanding of the luxury market and his history of building and growing premier luxury goods businesses. She expressed her confidence in Schmitz’s ability to lead John Hardy to continued success.
Reed Krakoff, Creative Chairman of John Hardy, echoed Finci’s sentiments, stating that Schmitz’s successful track record gives them the utmost confidence in his ability to create exciting new opportunities for John Hardy.
With Schmitz at the helm, John Hardy is poised for a new chapter of growth and success.