John Hardy Names Matt Tepper President as 50-Year-Old Jewelry Brand Reports Record Performance

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5.24.2026

Quick Facts

Matt Tepper promoted from chief marketing officer to president in February 2026, with CEO Jan-Patrick Schmitz becoming chairman
John Hardy reports record performance across wholesale, retail, and digital channels with revenues growing 25% since 2014
Brand opened new 1,800-square-foot SoHo flagship designed with former Coach creative director Reed Krakoff

John Hardy appointed Matt Tepper as president in February 2026, elevating the former chief marketing and customer officer to day-to-day leadership of the 50-year-old luxury jewelry brand. Global CEO Jan-Patrick Schmitz moved to chairman of the board.

“We will not be appointing a CEO at this time,” Schmitz said. “John Hardy is experiencing strong momentum in the market, and with Matt at the helm of our brand, we are confident in our continued trajectory of success.”

Tepper joined John Hardy in July 2023 after cofounding InTandem DAO and serving as an adviser to L Catterton, the private equity firm that has owned John Hardy since 2014.

The leadership change comes as John Hardy reports record performance. “John Hardy is firing on all cylinders, with every channel—wholesale, retail, and digital—performing at record levels,” Tepper told Retail Brew. The company’s revenues have grown 25% since 2014, with recent estimates placing annual revenue at $274.6 million.

The brand recently opened a new 1,800-square-foot SoHo flagship at 147 Spring Street, replacing its former Prince Street location. The store features blond oak flooring, slatted oak walls, and a 25-foot handwoven bamboo sculpture inspired by John Hardy’s signature chain motif.

Reed Krakoff, who joined as creative chairman in September 2022, designed the store alongside Studio Vehlen. The former Tiffany chief artistic officer has overseen product innovation, adding collections including Spear, Surf, Pebble, and Colorblock while redesigning classics like Naga and Love Knot.

“Over the last year and a half, two years, our creative chairman, Reed Krakoff, has reimagined many of our lines and has structured them in a very clear portfolio,” Schmitz explained.

The brand’s current distribution breaks down to 60% U.S. wholesale, 20% direct-to-consumer, 10% Caribbean, and 10% international. E-commerce revenue has tripled since 2014, according to former CEO Robert Hanson.

John Hardy introduced lab-grown diamonds in its Lovestruck collection in 2025, part of a creative partnership with musicians Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell. The brand has focused on sustainability initiatives, including bamboo tree repopulation for nearly 20 years.

The company targets the men’s jewelry market as a key growth area. “Men’s is really an important part of our strategy,” Schmitz said. “Over the last 10 years, we’ve seen a lot of changes… And there’s much more acceptance of jewelry.”

L Catterton explored selling John Hardy in 2022, seeking $200 million for the business, but ultimately retained ownership to focus on long-term brand development.