A New Era of Leadership: Mytheresa Appoints Francis Belin as CEO
In a major strategic move that signals the next phase of growth for one of the world’s leading luxury e-commerce platforms, Mytheresa has announced the appointment of Francis Belin as its new Chief Executive Officer. Effective January 1, 2026, Belin will take the helm of the Munich-based company, bringing with him decades of high-level experience from global heavyweights such as Christie’s, Swarovski, and Jaeger-LeCoultre.
This leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment for Mytheresa as its parent company undergoes a significant transformation into a global luxury powerhouse. Belin succeeds long-time CEO Michael Kliger, who is stepping up to a broader strategic role within the newly formed parent entity, LuxExperience.
Strategic Restructuring: The Rise of LuxExperience
The appointment of Francis Belin is part of a larger, ambitious corporate restructuring following Mytheresa’s landmark acquisition of Yoox Net-a-Porter (YNAP). Michael Kliger, who has successfully steered Mytheresa through a period of exceptional growth and its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange, will transition to the role of CEO of LuxExperience, the new parent company.
Integrating a Luxury Portfolio
LuxExperience was established to house a formidable portfolio of premier digital luxury brands. Following the acquisition from Richemont, the group now encompasses:
- Mytheresa: The flagship luxury fashion platform known for its curated edits.
- Net-a-Porter: The pioneer of content-driven luxury commerce.
- Mr Porter: The award-winning destination for men’s style.
- Yoox: The leading off-season online lifestyle store.
This consolidation creates a unique ecosystem covering the full spectrum of the luxury market, from in-season high fashion to off-price opportunities. Kliger’s elevation to Group CEO will allow him to focus on the complex task of integrating these distinct entities, driving synergies, and overseeing the overarching strategy that aims to solidify LuxExperience’s dominance in the digital luxury space.
Francis Belin: A Profile in Global Luxury Leadership
Francis Belin is no stranger to the nuances of high-end retail and the demands of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs). His career is defined by a consistent track record of driving growth, modernization, and brand elevation across diverse sectors of the luxury industry.
Transforming the Art World at Christie’s
Belin joins Mytheresa after a highly successful nine-year tenure at Christie’s, the world-renowned auction house. Serving as President of Asia Pacific until October, Belin played a critical role in modernizing the auction business in a region that has become the engine of global luxury consumption.
Under his leadership, Christie’s navigated a rapidly changing art market, embracing digital innovation and hybrid auction formats. One of his crowning achievements was overseeing the strategic relocation of Christie’s Asia Pacific headquarters to The Henderson in Hong Kong, a state-of-the-art architectural landmark designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. This move not only expanded the firm’s physical footprint but also signaled a commitment to the region’s growing base of affluent collectors.
Furthermore, Belin was instrumental in the acquisition of Gooding & Company, a premier automotive auction house, demonstrating his ability to identify and execute strategic expansion opportunities—skills that will be invaluable as he takes the reins at Mytheresa.
A Deep History with Heritage Brands
Before his time at Christie’s, Belin honed his expertise in the hard luxury sector. He served as Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific at Swarovski, where he managed the crystal giant’s consumer goods business across a vast and diverse region. His strategic vision helped solidify the brand’s presence in key emerging markets.
Prior to Swarovski, Belin held the position of Managing Director for Jaeger-LeCoultre in Japan. In this role, he was responsible for one of the Swiss watchmaker’s most sophisticated and mature markets, giving him deep insights into the Japanese consumer psyche—a critical demographic for any global luxury player.
Belin’s career foundation was built at McKinsey & Company, where he worked as a management consultant. This background provides him with the analytical rigor and strategic frameworks necessary to navigate the complex logistics and financial operations of a publicly traded e-commerce giant. He has also served as a board member for Enzo Jewelry and Ben Thanh Jewelry, further diversifying his governance experience.
Future Outlook: What Belin Brings to Mytheresa
The appointment of Francis Belin is seen by industry analysts as a clear signal that Mytheresa intends to double down on its client-centric strategy. His extensive experience with VICs (Very Important Clients) in the art and jewelry worlds aligns perfectly with Mytheresa’s business model, which relies heavily on a loyal cohort of top-tier spenders.
operational Excellence and Global Expansion
As CEO, Belin will be tasked with continuing Mytheresa’s trajectory of profitable growth. Unlike many of its competitors, Mytheresa has maintained a reputation for operational efficiency and strong margins. Belin’s challenge will be to scale this model while navigating the integration within the broader LuxExperience group.
Key areas of focus for his tenure are likely to include:
- Enhancing Personal Shopping Services: Leveraging his background in high-touch luxury service to refine Mytheresa’s personal shopping programs.
- Expanding in Asia: utilizing his deep network and experience in the Asia Pacific region to capture a larger share of the Chinese and Southeast Asian markets.
- Technological Innovation: Continuing to invest in the digital interface to ensure a seamless and inspiring user experience.
Executive Shuffles: Amber Pepper Heads to Natural Diamond Council
The leadership changes at Mytheresa are not limited to the CEO role. In a concurrent move, Amber Pepper, Mytheresa’s Chief Marketing and Customer Officer, has been appointed as the new CEO of the Natural Diamond Council (NDC).
Pepper, who has been instrumental in shaping Mytheresa’s brand voice and customer engagement strategies, will officially take up her new post in London on February 1, 2026. She succeeds David Kellie, who is stepping down after six years.
At the Natural Diamond Council, Pepper will be responsible for promoting the integrity and desirability of natural diamonds—a mission that requires a sophisticated understanding of luxury storytelling and consumer sentiment. Her departure marks the end of a significant chapter for Mytheresa’s marketing team, which has been lauded for its creative campaigns and exclusive brand partnerships.
Conclusion: A Strategic Pivot for 2026
The year 2026 promises to be a transformative period for the luxury e-commerce landscape. With Francis Belin bringing his “art of luxury” expertise to Mytheresa and Michael Kliger orchestrating the grand vision for LuxExperience, the group is positioning itself to be the dominant force in high-end digital retail.
For investors and fashion insiders alike, these moves suggest a mature, strategic approach to growth—one that values profitability, brand equity, and the unique needs of the global luxury consumer. As the dust settles on these appointments, all eyes will be on how this new leadership team executes its vision in an increasingly competitive market.
