De Rigo: Best laid plans

When Rebecca Louvre took charge of De Rigo’s UK & Ireland operations in January, she had no inkling of what was in store just two months later. Louvre says it was the company’s global ambition and unrealised potential in the UK that attracted her to the role: ‘Before Covid-19 hit, we were on an amazing trajectory with the business, but had to move from growth strategy to recovery strategy very quickly.’

The situation has called on what Louvre says are her adaptable leadership skills. Understanding of the mechanics of the eyewear sector comes from a seven-and-a-half-year spell at Luxottica as commercial director of northern Europe. She left the company at the end of 2018 to set up a consultancy that helped investors looking to enter the eyewear market and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.