Career
He acquired experience in the FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) sector as a brand manager with Kraft Foods Switzerland before gaining a foothold in the watch industry at Technical Architecture Group Heuer (Moët Hennessy — Louis Vuitton group). He joined the Richemont Group, the Swiss luxury goods corporation, in 2000. Following the Group’s acquisition of A. Lange & Söhne, Jaeger-LeCoultre and International Watch Company, he was active in the integration of these three brands.
When Georges Kern joined IWC Schaffhausen early in 2002, at the age of 36, he became the youngest Chief Executive Officer within Richemont.
Since 2009, Georges Kern has also been responsible for the Baume & Mercier brand and, in October 2010, took over as Chief Executive Officer of Roger Dubuis. Alongside his corporate objectives, he is also committed to charitable causes, for example through his position on the Board of Trustees of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which helps young people to overcome their social problems through sport.
Georges Kern is a patron of the Fondation Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Fondation Antoine de Saint-Exupéry pour la Jeunesse, which supports disadvantaged young people on their path to adulthood. Georges Kern counts active climate protection among his corporate responsibilities.
Upon his initiative, IWC was certified as a carbon neutral company.
As a representative of the watch industry and the Chief Executive Officer of a brand founded by an American, Georges Kern sits on the board of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce.
