Fifteen years of impeccable service to the Swiss watch industry and an unexpected leave during global turbulence in the watch market: the head of the Foundation for high watchmaking Fabienne Lupo leaves her post.
The explanations given are very vague. "After 15 years of an exciting and passionate journey, now it's time for me to start new projects. I leave the Foundation knowing that this is the right thing for me to do right now," says Lupo, without going into any more details.
She is sincerely thanked by Emmanuel Perrin, who has temporarily assumed her powers on behalf of the Foundation. Perrin is a member of the FHH Board and head of the watch division of Richemont holding since November 2017, where he is responsible for the development of A. Lange & Soehne, Baume, Baume et Mercier, IWC, Jaeger Lecoultre, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis, Vacheron Constantin.
Perrin's entire career is linked with Richemont. Before taking the helm of the group's whole watch business, Emmanuel spent eight years at Cartier, where he was responsible for international sales, and for the US market before that. Earlier, Perrin had worked at Van Cleef & Arpels for eight years, where he was responsible for distribution in Japan and the United States.
Perrin's assignment to a new position at FHH is perceived as strengthening the Richemont group's role in the Foundation, where she was one of the founders. In November 2005, FHH was formed on the initiative of Franco Cologni from Richemont, together with Audemars Piguet and Girard-Perregaux. Five years later, when the Foundation included 26 partners, Fabienne Lupo took over as President instead of Cologni.
During her presidency, the organization has increased the number of its partners to 41. And this year, it was Lupo who had to deal with the forced changes to the main FHH project. The salon of fine watchmaking was to become Watches & Wonders, and numerous events throughout Geneva should accompany the exhibition. The coronavirus has made its adjustments: in less than six weeks after the cancellation of the "live" exhibition, the Lupo team managed to change Watches & Wonders into a virtual format.