PARIS — Audemars Piguet has appointed a veteran beauty executive its latest chief executive officer.

Ilaria Resta will probably be joining the Swiss watchmaker from Swiss fragrance and flavors supplier DSM-Firmenich, succeeding longtime CEO François-Henry Bennahmias, who said last yr that he planned to depart the corporate by the top of 2023 after almost 30 years.

Resta is about to affix Audemars Piguet in August and can officially tackle the role of CEO on Jan. 1, following a transition period, the watchmaker said in a press release Monday. Bennahmias will remain on board until the top of the yr to make sure a “seamless and orderly” handover, it added.

The corporate said Resta, a Swiss-Italian national who lives near Geneva, was recruited after “an intensive global search.” She had been with Firmenich for just over three years, most recently serving as president of its integrated perfumery and ingredients division, and member of the manager committee. Firmenich merged with DSM earlier this month to form DSM-Firmenich.

Prior to that, she spent greater than 22 years at Procter & Gamble in quite a lot of roles, starting in Rome and culminating with the position of senior vice chairman, hair care, North America, based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Resta is the most recent beauty executive to make the jump into luxury as a number of firms, led by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, speed up their recruitment from the L’Oréals and P&Gs of the world, attracted by the formidable marketing, digital, brand and consumer engagement skills baked in there.

“Her proven record of delivering results through a transparent strategic pondering based on deep consumer insights will keep AP’s legacy relevant for generations to come back and ensure long lasting growth,” said Alessandro Bogliolo, chairman of Audemars Piguet.

“Ilaria’s belief within the empowerment of teams and her accomplishments as an inspirational leader in corporate sustainability fully align with Audemars Piguet’s longstanding values as an independent family-owned company,” he added.

Bogliolo thanked Bennahmias for his long tenure. “His transformational leadership has been essential in constructing the success story AP is today. We’re grateful for his indelible contribution and his commitment to remain until the top of the yr to make sure a smooth transition,” he said.

After leading the watchmaker through a period of rapid growth, Bennahmias had informed the board of his desire to retire after the fiftieth anniversary of the brand’s Royal Oak in 2022.

Often called Hollywood’s favorite watch, the timepiece is popular with celebrities similar to Kevin Hart, Jay-Z, Justin Bieber and Drake, and has been fronted by brand ambassadors including Serena Williams, LeBron James and Mark Ronson.