Shortly after Swiss watch company Swatch acquired Harry Winston Inc. back in January, Frédéric de Narp made a quiet departure from his post as president and CEO of the luxury jewelry brand. Rumors swirled for weeks that Nayla Hayek would take over de Narp’s position, but now The Swatch Group Ltd. confirms that Hayek has indeed been appointed to chief executive officer of Harry Winston.


The daughter of Swatch co-founder Nicolas Hayek and sister of the company’s chief executive officer, Nick Hayek Jr., it’s safe to say that leadership and success run in Nayla’s blood. Nayla, who also serves as chairwoman of The Swatch Group based in Biel, Switzerland, will take on her new role at Harry Winston immediately. The $1 billion deal for the Harry Winston label and all its jewelry and watch activities, including the brand’s pro forma net debt of up to $250 million, was the biggest ever acquisition for Swatch in an attempt to compete against long-time rival Cartier.