Watchfinder & Co., Richemont’s global pre-owned watch specialist, has appointed Arjen van de Vall as its CEO.
He takes over from co-founder Matt Bowling, who inherited the role of interim CEO after his fellow founder Stuart Hennell exited a year ago.
Mr Bowling remains active in the company and will work alongside Mr van de Vall overseeing business operations.
Mr van de Vall arrives from a seven year stint at Rakuten, a Japanese e-commerce, fintech and digital content and communications company, where he has been president for Europe for the past four years.
“We are delighted to have Arjen come on board; he brings a wealth of digital expertise into the group and, more specifically, Watchfinder. Arjen’s international experience will be instrumental in guiding the continued evolution and expansion of Watchfinder and further untapping its tremendous potential,” says Jérôme Lambert, Richemont CEO.
Since Richemont acquired Watchfinder in 2018, the company’s major focus has been on expanding internationally, particularly into the United States and continental Europe.
Mr van de Vall’s previous role with Rakuten was based in Berlin, and he was educated in The Netherlands.
He is now taking the reins at Watchfinder’s corporate headquarters in Maidstone, Kent.
“I am truly honoured to be joining Watchfinder & Co. Watchfinder is a clear industry leader that has led by example over the last 19 years. It’s a really exciting time to be joining the business; Watchfinder is embarking on significant international growth in what has proven to be a rapidly growing and evolving industry” he says.
Along with e-commerce, Watchfinder now has physical stores in London, Paris, Geneva, Munich, Hong Kong and New York.
