Ludivine Pont is the new CEO of the Santa Maria Novella Perfume and Pharmaceutical Factory.

Officina-Profumo Santa Maria Novella, a historic Florentine beauty and fragrance brand, has a new CEO: starting in September, it will be led by Ludivine Pont, a Swiss woman with a background in marketing and communications for major fashion brands such as Balenciaga, Moncler, and Philipp Plein. Pont replaces Giovanna Paoloni, who joined just over a year ago, also from the fashion world.

The change is not tied to company results, as Officina Profumo—which since 2020 has been owned by the Pesenti family's investment company Italmobiliare—closed 2024 with the best results in its long history: revenues grew 24.6% to €70 million, with a gross operating margin of €19.2 million (+22.1%). The first quarter of 2025 also saw double-digit growth: revenues rose 20.6% (to €14.3 million), driven by fragrances and body care products, and operating margins doubled (to €2.2 million).

For Carlo Pesenti, CEO of Italmobiliare and President of Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, Ludivine Pont is "the right person to contribute to the Group's growth, further boosting Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella's global development, while always respecting the values and unique characteristics that make the company a brand without equal worldwide."

The brand's history begins in 1221, when Dominican friars arrived in Florence and began cultivating medicinal herbs in the gardens near the square and Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. These herbs were used to prepare medicines for the convent's infirmary. In 1612, they decided to open the pharmacy to the public.

The new CEO says she is honored by the role and feels a profound responsibility: "This is a house with an extraordinary legacy, over eight centuries of botanical and pharmaceutical excellence," she states. "My intention is to continue this legacy and create a timeless care experience that speaks to the senses, beauty, and time." Alongside the CEO, General Manager Giampiero Pesenti will continue to play a central role in guiding the company's operations, which operates in 30 countries with more than 400 stores.