Richemont, the owner of Cartier, announced the appointment of Anton Rupert, son of Chairman Johann Rupert, as non-executive co-deputy chairman of its board of directors. This move is effective immediately and is described by the luxury goods group as an important step in its succession planning. Anton Rupert will serve alongside Bram Schot, the former Audi chief executive who was appointed deputy chairman in 2024.
The younger Rupert will specifically oversee strategic product and communications matters across Richemont's luxury brands, while Schot will continue to be responsible for board governance and committee-related affairs. This division of responsibilities ensures that both the group's strategic priorities and its governance obligations receive dedicated attention at the co-deputy chairman level, according to a statement from Chairman Johann Rupert. He emphasized that Richemont's strength has always come from close family involvement and rigorous governance.
The Rupert family holds a significant stake in Richemont, with 10.18% economic shareholding and 51% of the voting rights, reflecting a long-standing dual-class share structure. Johann Rupert, who turned 76 in June 2026, has been actively implementing a succession plan by promoting younger leaders. The appointment of Anton Rupert, who has been on the Richemont board as a non-executive director since 2017, positions him as a likely successor to his father, continuing the family's deep involvement in the company's direction.
Richemont's portfolio includes three main segments: Jewellery Maisons (e.g., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels), Specialist Watchmakers (e.g., IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre), and Other (e.g., Montblanc, Chloé). The Jewellery Maisons remain the largest contributor, generating $16.5 billion in revenue for FY2026, or 74% of the total. The company reported strong sales for the first quarter of its 2027 financial year, with sales up 20% at constant exchange rates to $6.3 billion, driven by its jewelry business.
