Another visionary leader is joining us at SQUARE! We are thrilled to welcome Patrick Pruniaux, CEO and co-founder of Sowind Group AG.
Patrick has extensive experience in the luxury industry, starting at TAG Heuer and later playing a key role at Apple in launching the Apple Watch. In 2017, he took over the historic brands Ulysse Nardin and Girard-Perregaux under Kering’s umbrella. In 2022, he led a management buyout, making these brands fully independent within Sowind Group AG, based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
During his stay at SQUARE, Patrick will join classes, speak at public events, and give guest lectures. He will share his insights on leadership, brand strategy, and how to drive innovation in a traditional industry. This is a rare chance to learn from a top leader in the luxury sector and understand the current challenges in the watch industry.
"Market environment could change but long term vision should prevail for centuries-old luxury brands” said Patrick Pruniaux, Personality in Residence at SQUARE and CEO of the Swiss watch brands Girard-Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin. He visited the University of St.Gallen this week eager to hear the perspectives of younger generations, who described him as approachable, honest, and open. Reflecting on his versatile career, Patrick highlighted the importance of curiosity and taking risks - for example, when pursuing the management buyout of Girard-Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin. This bold decision allowed the brands to stay true to their heritage while growing independently. Patrick also spoke about the fascinating 2022 post-pandemic luxury watches boom, that led to a spike in revenues before the demand for watches started normalising. He sees this as a chance to focus on genuine watch enthusiasts and develop sustainable, long-term strategies. A big thank you to Patrick Pruniaux for your inspiring visit to SQUARE! We’d also like to thank the clubs, The Watch Club, Students’ Business Club, and FLUX, and the speakers who contributed to the program: Frank Müller, Fridolin Remplik, Alexander Göritz, and Daniel Michels. Finally, a special thanks to the SQUARE team program organizers, Besir and Gianluca, for making this event a success!
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