It's Official: Jean-Christophe Bédos Now Head of Birks & Mayors

Jean-Christophe Bédos

Jean-Christophe Bédos officially became the president and CEO of North American luxury retailer and manufacturer, Birks & Mayors Inc., Monday. The appointment was first announced in January.

Bédos replaces Thomas A. Andruskevich who announced his retirement in September, 2011. Bédos, who is based at the company’s headquarters in Montreal, Canada, was transitioning to the leadership position under Andruskevich since January.

Birks & Mayors operates 59 luxury jewelry stores in Canada and the United States—32 stores under the Birks brand in most major markets in Canada and 24 stores under the Mayors brand in Florida and Georgia. The company also operates two retail locations in Calgary and Vancouver under the Brinkhaus brand and one retail location in Orlando under the Rolex brand.

“The Company has deep roots in Britain and since its founding in Montreal in 1879, has built a solid reputation in Quebec and across Canada,” Bédos said. “The company’s history is rich and vibrant, and its creations are today cherished by many generations, including royalty and celebrities. I look forward to building on the Company’s successes and strong design heritage and brand image.”

Prior to his current appointment, Bédos was president and CEO of Parisian luxury jewelry house, Boucheron Intl., from 2004 to 2011. Previously, he was managing director of Cartier from 2002 to 2004, and international executive manager alongside the president of Richemont International from 2000 to 2002. He started his career in the jewelry industry at Cartier in 1988.

Bédos holds a Sloan Master of Science in Management from the London Business School, a LLB in International Law from Université Paris I Sorbonne, a BA (Honors) in European Business from Trent University, Nottingham and a Bachelor of Arts, European Business, from Toulouse Business School.

Fred Meyer Jewelers to Sell Kathy Ireland Jewelry

Fred Meyer Jewelers is the first national jeweler to offer the kathy ireland Jewelry Collection. The line of bridal jewelry, diamond fashion and colored gemstone jewelry is designed by former supermodel Kathy Ireland and is available at nearly 400 Fred Meyer Jewelers and Littman Jewelers in 36 states, and online.

The collection is a partnership between Nikhil and Ela Jhaveri of Elan Luxury Collections and kathy ireland Worldwide coming together as a fine jewelry solution. Kathy is CEO and chief designer of kathy ireland Worldwide, a design and marketing firm founded in 1993 by Ireland who serves as CEO and chief designer,. The mission of the jewelry line is “finding solutions for people in love,” Ireland said in a statement.

Kathy Ireland was previously involved in the jewelry industry. In April 2005, she partnered with the House of Taylor, the jewelry brand that was led by Elizabeth Taylor along with jewelry industry veterans Jack and Monty Abramov. Ireland sold a line of jewelry that ranged from $200 to approximately $2,500, offsetting the more expensive offerings from the House of Taylor Jewelry collection. The company folded in June, 2008.

Forbes.com named Ireland one of the 20 Best-Branded Women on Twitter. Forbes Magazine reports that kathy ireland Worldwide grosses over 1.4 billion dollars annually in retail sales. The 2010 License Global Magazine named kathy ireland Worldwide the 28th most powerfully licensed brand globally.

Fred Meyer Jewelers, Portland, Ore., is the nation's third-largest fine jewelry retailer.

Ross-Simons Releases Holiday Catalog

It seems early but jewelry retailer Ross-Simons has released its largest catalog of the year to coincide with the start of the holiday season.

At more than 100 pages, the book contains a range of ruby and emerald jewelry; unusual gemstones like chalcedony, malachite and garnet; and blue diamond jewelry. The company’s Mixed Gem Bib Necklace (pictured) showcases rubies and emeralds along with cultured freshwater pearls.

In addition, the catalog features jewelry with sapphires, blue topaz and aquamarine gemstones.

Signet Names Michael Barnes New CEO

The world’s largest specialty retail jeweler will soon have new leadership.

Signet Jewelers Ltd. said Wednesday it has appointed Michael Barnes as chief executive officer beginning Jan. 30, 2011. Barnes, formally with Fossil Inc., will join Signet on December 1 as chief executive officer designate and will be based in Akron, Ohio. He succeeds Terry Burman who will retire Jan. 29, 2011.

Barnes had been president, chief operating officer and a director of Fossil. He has been with the global design, marketing and distribution company for 25 years, serving in several key management positions. He started with the Richardson, Texas-based company in its early days and was one of its initial employees. He was part of the management team that took Fossil public in 1993. Barnes announced his resignation from Fossil Wednesday.

“We are delighted to have recruited such a strong candidate as Mike to be Signet’s CEO,” said Sir Malcolm Williamson, Signet chairman. “Mike is a seasoned and accomplished manager who with his strategic and attentive outlook to operational details brings valuable experience to Signet. He will be an able successor to Terry Burman who has led Signet as CEO for the last ten years and who leaves a strong legacy.”

Signet, based in Hamilton, Bermuda, operates 1,893 stores, including1,345 stores in the U.S., where it trades as Kay Jewelers, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry, and under a number of regional names. Signet also operates 548 stores in the U.K. division, where it trades as H.Samuel, Ernest Jones and Leslie Davis.