Thomas O’Neill, a veteran executive of the luxury retail trade, has been named chief executive officer of Harry Winston Inc. and president of Harry Winston’s majority shareholder, Aber Diamond Corp.

O’Neill currently is president worldwide of Burberry Group, the British luxury goods company. He is also a member of Burberrys board of directors.

“With his extensive knowledge and experience of the American, Asian, European and especially the Japanese jewelry and luxury goods industries, I have the fullest confidence in Tom’s ability to lead Harry Winston and grow the brand,” Ronald Winston, chairman of Harry Winston, said Monday.

While O’Neill becomes president Robert Gannicott remains CEO of Toronto-headquartered Aber, which on April 2 bought 51% of New York-based Harry Winston.

Aber owns 40% of the Diavik diamond mine in the Northwest Territories.

O’Neill began his career in luxury retailing with Tiffany & Co. in 1984, where he last served as executive vice president with responsibility for international markets. In 1997, he left Tiffany to become president of Louis Vuitton, Americas as well as Chief Executive Officer of the fashion house, Marc Jacobs and ultimately serving as the president and CEO of the LVMH Fashion Group in the Americas. In 2000, he transferred to Paris as president and CEO of the newly created LVMH jewelry division. He joined Burberry in 2001.

JCK