Stéphane Linder will replace
Jean-Christophe Babin as CEO of TAG Heuer with effect from June 1st 2013. He is
currently VP of Sales North America for TAG Heuer, after occupying key
strategic roles in the company since 1993.
Earlier today, LVMH appointed Stéphane Linder as TAG Heuer’s new CEO
to replace Jean-Christophe Babin who has been recently appointed by LVMH as
“Amministratore Delegato” of Bulgari, as previously announced.
Francesco Trapani, President of the
Watch and Jewelry Division, is firmly convinced
that he is prepared to take on the major challenges that lie ahead for the
Brand thanks to his strategic vision as well as his ability to implement major
projects and ensure continuous success for TAG Heuer. His wide, successful and
diversified experience during his twenty years at TAG Heuer in R&D, Market
and industry knowledge, Product and Brand strategy, Marketing, Retail and Sales
is an asset that will be instrumental to grow and develop TAG Heuer, further
pursuing the successful strategy implemented by Jean-Christophe Babin. Stéphane
Linder will take up his new duties on June 1st, 2013.
A key player in TAG Heuer’ success
Stéphane Linder, a Swiss citizen born on April 19th 1968, is
married, and has four children. He was graduated in the Swiss Federal Institute
of Technology in 1991.
He joined TAG Heuer in November 1993, and immediately played a key role
in engineering and professionalizing the R&D and Product Development, by
fully reintegrating in house the product development. In 1997, he was appointed
as Marketing and Product Manager. While being in charge of the overall watch
strategy, his entrepreneurial skills enabled him to launch the successful
eyewear diversification.
Since 2003, he became member of the Executive Committee and occupied the function of Product and Brand
Director. He was responsible for all the major commercial successes as well as
the creation of the Haute Horlogerie division, making today TAG Heuer as one of
the most innovative and rewarded Brand in the Industry.
In 2007, he extended his role to the Marketing department, while keeping
the product strategy under his responsibility, and became VP of Marketing and
Product Design. He was instrumental in repositioning and raising the prestige
of the Brand by launching new advertising campaigns, redefining the web
strategy and further solidifying the fast growing HQ retail division. In 2010,
he was appointed VP of Sales for TAG Heuer North America. He restructured the
USA and Canadian distribution, increased the in-store Brand presence and
achieved to increase significantly the average wholesale profitability per
point of sales.
During his 20 years of leadership at TAG Heuer, Stéphane Linder was
instrumental in the major projects of the company and his vision and natural
leadership skills have greatly contributed to the expansion and success of the
company. As Francesco Trapani highlights, Stéphane Linder will embody the great
leadership required to ensure a continuous success for TAG Heuer.