AS Watson Group has announced significant leadership appointments at Marionnaud Group, a distinguished subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings.
Kulvinder Birring has been named the new CEO of Marionnaud Group, with Gabriele Betti stepping into the role of Deputy CEO, effective April 2024.
Kulvinder Birring, previously CEO of Watsons China since 2018, brings a wealth of experience to his new position. Having spearheaded Watsons operations as Managing Director in Malaysia and Indonesia, Birring has been instrumental in redefining the Watsons brand as a leading retailer. Under his leadership, Watsons China saw a notable transformation, boasting over 3,800 offline plus online (O+O) stores and emerging as a top retailer nationwide. His approach, characterized by fostering a culture of collaboration, agility, and growth, has been pivotal in navigating the competitive retail market in Mainland China, enhancing customer experience through innovation.
In his new role, Birring will oversee Marionnaud’s extensive portfolio, which includes more than 730 O+O stores across eight markets in Europe, reinforcing the brand’s status as one of the leading luxury perfumeries and cosmetics retailers on the continent.
Gabriele Betti, who has dedicated 16 years to Marionnaud and previously served as Managing Director for Marionnaud France, Italy, and Central Europe, has been promoted to Deputy CEO of Marionnaud Group. Betti’s tenure at Marionnaud is marked by his customer-centric leadership and significant contributions to the company’s digital transformation, integrating O+O capabilities to enhance the customer experience. His experience in leading supply chain, technology, and commercial aspects, along with management roles across various European markets, positions him as a key figure in driving Marionnaud’s progress alongside Birring.
Dominic Lai, Group Managing Director of AS Watson Group and Executive Director of CK Hutchison, expressed his enthusiasm for the appointments, highlighting the extensive contributions of both leaders to the organization. “Kulvinder’s remarkable cultural transformation at Watsons China and Gabriele’s strong customer-focused management at Marionnaud demonstrate their ability to drive innovation and growth. We are confident that their combined experience and leadership will steer Marionnaud Group towards new heights of success in the luxury retail sector.”
These appointments signify a new chapter for Marionnaud Group, with a refreshed leadership team poised to enhance the brand’s presence and performance in the competitive luxury retail market in Europe.
