PARIS — Eric Bompard is gearing up for the next phase of its development under new ownership, with the appointment of Barbara Werschine as chief executive officer, effective immediately.
Since its acquisition in 2018 by businessman Xavier Marie, the French investment fund Apax Partners SA and French public investment bank BPI France, the French cashmere sweater brand had been overseen by Marie, who is president of the Eric Bompard Group.
Werschine joins from Zadig & Voltaire, where she was vice president for Europe since 2018. A graduate of ESCP Business School and Harvard Business School, she worked at LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton between 1997 and 2004, and at Hermès International from 2010 to 2017, including five years as director of leather goods collections.
The 47-year-old executive is charged with speeding up Bompard’s development by capitalizing on its DNA and focusing on three drivers of growth: working on the collections and the customer experience; bolstering the group’s international presence, and boosting online sales. She will report to Marie.
“Bompard has entered an exciting phase in its development,” Marie said in a statement. “We are delighted to welcome Barbara, who is bringing her proven expertise in the fields of strategy, retail and brand marketing development to Maison Bompard.”
“I am very proud to be joining Maison Bompard, the undisputed leader in cashmere. This French gem with strong growth potential draws on expertise and a style that is the envy of the whole world,” Werschine said.
The previously family-owned label is one of several fashion brands snapped up by Marie, who made his fortune as founder and former ceo of furniture and home decor company Maisons du Monde.
His holding group Compagnie Marco Polo also owns contemporary brand Paule Ka; children’s labels Bonton and Le Petit Souk, and shoe manufacturer Rautureau.