A new question mark on Baselworld: René Kamm, CEO of Mch Group, leaves ♦
Baselworld loses another piece. After the resignation of the managing director, Sylvie Ritter, the time has come for the CEO of Mch Group, René Kamm. The Comité Mondial of the Basel trade fair organizer has chosen a new drastic change. Ulrich Vischer, chairman of the board of directors, will assume responsibility for the group’s operational leadership in close cooperation with the members of the executive committee during the transition period until the appointment of a successor to René Kamm.
This is not a little news, because René Kamm was at the helm of the fair for almost 20 years. He and Sylvie Ritter have led Baselworld to grow to become the worldwide benchmark for watchmaking and jewelery. But Baselworld has experienced a drastic downsizing as last three years. Just in July, Swatch Group, which includes 17 brands, including Omega, announced its decision not to participate in Baselworld 2019. A news that has cast a new shadow on what will be the next edition of Baselworld.
The Mch Group is engaged in a process of transformation, which should be carried out by the new managing director, Michel Loris-Melikoff. Forfait like the Swatch group, however, will not be easily replaced. Federico Graglia
