A Finance Leader from the Spirits World
She spent more than two decades at Pernod Ricard, the French spirits company. During her final eight years at Pernod Ricard, she was the executive vice president in charge of finance and technology. De Tissot also served on Pernod Ricard's executive committee.
De Tissot previously worked in Hong Kong, serving as CFO for the Asia region. Pernod Ricard's stock price sits at 63.14.
De Tissot, aged 56, is set to start at Chanel Ltd. in October 2026, and will take on the full CFO role in London beginning January 2027. She will report directly to Chanel CEO Leena Nair.
De Tissot arrives at Chanel during a period of recovery.
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According to a Chanel spokesperson, "The overlap period between de Tissot's start in October 2026 and Blondiaux's retirement at year-end will ensure a smooth handover." The spokesperson also noted, "Her time in Hong Kong provided her with deep insight into the Asian market, a key region for luxury brands."
De Tissot's extensive experience at Pernod Ricard, including her role overseeing global finance and technology operations, positions her well to manage Chanel's financial strategy.
Chanel, like many competitors, faced a difficult 2024 as consumer spending cooled, but has since regained momentum. De Tissot brings a seasoned perspective from the spirits sector, which operates with similarly complex global supply chains and currency exposures. Her appointment signals Chanel's confidence in leveraging cross-industry financial leadership as it charts its next phase of growth.
The company, which remains privately held, has not released official sales figures, but industry analysts attribute the rebound to renewed demand in Europe and the Americas. De Tissot's background at Pernod Ricard, a company that similarly navigates global economic cycles, equips her to steer Chanel's financial strategy through uncertain times.
Chanel's Financial Leadership Transition
Chanel has historically promoted from within or drawn from luxury peers for top finance roles. The hiring of de Tissot from the spirits industry signals a willingness to look beyond traditional luxury for financial expertise. Her background at Pernod Ricard, which manages a vast portfolio of global brands and complex currency exposures, mirrors the challenges at Chanel, where regional dynamics and exchange rates significantly impact results. The handover period of several months will allow de Tissot to absorb Chanel's unique culture and financial systems before Blondiaux's retirement.
Chanel, a privately held luxury house, faces challenges similar to Pernod Ricard in managing global supply chains and currency fluctuations. De Tissot's dual oversight of finance and technology at Pernod Ricard may signal an increased focus on digital transformation at Chanel.
As a private company, Chanel does not disclose quarterly earnings, but its financial health is closely watched by industry observers. The appointment of a CFO from outside the luxury sphere suggests that Chanel prioritizes deep operational finance experience over sector-specific pedigree. This move also highlights the increasing convergence between luxury goods and other consumer sectors when it comes to managing global complexity.
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