Damien Dernoncourt
Encyclopedia
Damien Dernoncourt, is a French businessman based in Hong Kong
. Originally from Lille
, North of France, Dernoncourt has been living in Hong Kong
since 1995, with his wife and two children.
Biography
Dernoncourt began his career in Hong Kong
, where he spent the early years leading a buying office for a major French importer. Following this role, at 25, he utilized his learned expertise to start his own packaging and logistics company in China
, which he sold prior to completing his MBA at INSEAD
.
Dernoncourt joined the John Hardy
Group in 2003. He was promoted as President in 2004 and was given the responsibility of organizing the company’s management team and streamlining operations. Through a Management Buyout, Dernoncourt, along with John Hardy
Head Designer and Creative Director, Guy Bedarida
, assumed control of the company in October 2007 with the support of 3i
, a private equity group. The pair has established a complementary working relationship and together they are building the next generation of the John Hardy
family.
As CEO of John Hardy
, Dernoncourt is the driving force behind the company’s evolution into a globally sustainable luxury brand that is focused on minimizing the impact of business on the natural environment and treating employees with special care. He oversees an international team of 1000 individuals across the company’s facilities in Bali
, Hong Kong
, Bangkok
, and New York
. Dernoncourt has helped to build John Hardy
into one of the most successful jewelry brands in the US, while also positioning it for expanded growth in Europe
, Asia
and the Middle East
. He is also leading the company to ensure that John Hardy
continues to be a pioneer in the area of environment, local culture preservation and sustainability.
Dernoncourt takes part in 'Racing the Planet' each year and uses the funds he raises to donate to orphanages in Bali
as well as sponsor the building of schools in Nepal
.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. Originally from Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
, North of France, Dernoncourt has been living in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
since 1995, with his wife and two children.
Biography
Dernoncourt began his career in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, where he spent the early years leading a buying office for a major French importer. Following this role, at 25, he utilized his learned expertise to start his own packaging and logistics company in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, which he sold prior to completing his MBA at INSEAD
INSEAD
INSEAD is an international graduate business school and research institution. It has campuses in Europe , Asia , and the Middle East , as well as a research center in Israel...
.
Dernoncourt joined the John Hardy
John Hardy
John Hardy can refer to:*"John Hardy" , an American folk song about a murderer*John Hardy , British composer*John Hardy , British human geneticist and molecular biologist*John Hardy , jewelry maker...
Group in 2003. He was promoted as President in 2004 and was given the responsibility of organizing the company’s management team and streamlining operations. Through a Management Buyout, Dernoncourt, along with John Hardy
John Hardy
John Hardy can refer to:*"John Hardy" , an American folk song about a murderer*John Hardy , British composer*John Hardy , British human geneticist and molecular biologist*John Hardy , jewelry maker...
Head Designer and Creative Director, Guy Bedarida
Guy Bedarida
Guy Bedarida, is the Creative Director and Head Designer of the John Hardy brand. He was raised in Florence and Paris and is of French and Italian parentage. Currently, he lives between Asia, Europe and USA.-Education & Career:...
, assumed control of the company in October 2007 with the support of 3i
3i
3i Group plc is a multinational private equity and venture capital company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It has offices in 13 countries across Asia, Europe and the Americas and had total assets under management of £12.7 billion as at 31 March 2011...
, a private equity group. The pair has established a complementary working relationship and together they are building the next generation of the John Hardy
John Hardy (jewelry)
John Hardy is a handmade jewelry and home accessories company. Founded by John Hardy in 1989, the company is headquartered in Hong Kong, has its production center in Bali and has a satellite office in New York...
family.
As CEO of John Hardy
John Hardy
John Hardy can refer to:*"John Hardy" , an American folk song about a murderer*John Hardy , British composer*John Hardy , British human geneticist and molecular biologist*John Hardy , jewelry maker...
, Dernoncourt is the driving force behind the company’s evolution into a globally sustainable luxury brand that is focused on minimizing the impact of business on the natural environment and treating employees with special care. He oversees an international team of 1000 individuals across the company’s facilities in Bali
Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Dernoncourt has helped to build John Hardy
John Hardy (jewelry)
John Hardy is a handmade jewelry and home accessories company. Founded by John Hardy in 1989, the company is headquartered in Hong Kong, has its production center in Bali and has a satellite office in New York...
into one of the most successful jewelry brands in the US, while also positioning it for expanded growth in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. He is also leading the company to ensure that John Hardy
John Hardy (jewelry)
John Hardy is a handmade jewelry and home accessories company. Founded by John Hardy in 1989, the company is headquartered in Hong Kong, has its production center in Bali and has a satellite office in New York...
continues to be a pioneer in the area of environment, local culture preservation and sustainability.
Dernoncourt takes part in 'Racing the Planet' each year and uses the funds he raises to donate to orphanages in Bali
Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...
as well as sponsor the building of schools in Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
.