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.

Bédos to Lead Birks & Mayors

Jean-Christophe Bédos

Jean-Christophe Bédos, the former head of the international jewelry house, Boucheron, has been named Birks & Mayors president & CEO. He will replace Thomas A. Andruskevich who announced in September 2011 that he would be leaving the company in the spring.

Bédos, who is already on the job, will spend his first three months with the company as its chief operating officer, reporting jointly to Andruskevich and Lorenzo Rossi di Montelera, chairman of the Board, to allow for a smooth transition. Bédos will assume the role of the company’s president and CEO on April 1. Birks & Mayors is a luxury jewelry retailer with 61 stores in Canada and the United States. Its headquarters is in Montreal.

“His experience as president of one of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands and his extensive knowledge of the luxury jewelry and timepiece industry will be key assets for Birks & Mayors as it continues the development of the Birks product brand and pursues international expansion,” Montelera, said.

Bédos was president and CEO of the Parisian luxury jewelry house, Boucheron Intl., from May 2004 till June 2011. In addition, to maintaining and enhancing the strong presence of the brand, he was an early adapter to marketing the brand and selling its well-crafted luxury products online, as he explained in 2010 during a panel discussion during the FT Business of Luxury Summit.

Previously, he was the managing director of Cartier France from 2002 to 2004, and international executive manager alongside the president of Richemont Intl. from 2000 to 2002. Bédos started his career in the jewelry industry at Cartier in 1988. He holds a 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. Bédos will be based at the company’s head office in Montreal, Canada.