Birks Names New Chief Financial Officer

The Birks Group has appointed Aldo Battista as its new chief financial officer, to succeed Katia Fontana, who will retire on April 1.

Battista joined the company last week to ensure a smooth transition. He will initially serve as vice president of accounting and treasury, and will add the role of chief financial officer from April 2, the company said last week. Battista has over 25 years of experience in finance and accounting, including at Canadian retailer Reitmans, where he worked for 16 years in various roles, most recently vice president of finance.

Fontana will be retiring after six years with the company as its vice president and chief financial officer, supporting it through strategic changes.

“[Fontana] has been a valued member of our senior management team and has made significant contributions to Birks Group,” said Birks interim CEO Niccolò Rossi di Montelera. “Her leadership, guidance and commitment have been instrumental in navigating through challenging periods. We are also very pleased that [Fontana] will remain with us to support a seamless transition as we welcome Battista as our new chief financial officer. [Battista] brings extensive experience in finance, accounting and the retail sector, and we are confident his expertise will be a strong asset for the company.”

Image: Aldo Battista and Katia Fontana. (Aldo Battista/LinkedIn; Katia Fontana/LinkedIn)