Aber Appoints New President and CEO for Harry Winston

The president of Burberry Group Plc, Thomas O’Neill, has resigned as a director of the luxury goods company to take up the roles of president of diamond miner Aber Diamond Corporation and CEO of luxury jeweler Harry Winston Inc.

O’Neill, who joined Burberry in November 2001 and served as President Worldwide, will leave the company on July 1, Burberry said.

In his time at Burberry, O’Neill has focused on developing the company’s management team, infrastructure and strategy for its Asian operations.

Aber acquired a 51 percent controlling interest in luxury jeweler and watch retailer Harry Winston for $85 million earlier this month. Aber has the option of buying the remaining 49 percent from Fenway Partners and Ronald Winston on the sixth year anniversary of the transaction. 

Aber said at the time that it acquired the Harry Winston stake that it had selected a new CEO, but did not disclose his name and said his identity would be revealed in mid-April.

Robert Gannicott will continue to serve as CEO of Aber.