Blue Nile has appointed Sean Kell as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with immediate effect, the major jewellery e-tailer said on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

Prior to joining Blue Nile, Kell was the CEO of ‘A Place for Mom’, America's largest senior living referral service. During his tenure there, “he was responsible for developing an enduring, revered and trusted brand, creating a strong culture and delivering significant business growth”, Blue Nile said.

Kell brings nearly 20 years of executive leadership in e-commerce, digital innovation, brand marketing, call centre operations and product management, across leading retail organisations, including Expedia, Hotels.com and Starbucks.

"Blue Nile revolutionised the consumer experience of purchasing diamonds and fine jewellery online," said Kell. "The opportunity to deepen customer relationships and offer an extraordinary experience when shopping for the most cherished moments in their lives is an honour. I am excited to join the team and amplify our strategic priorities." 

Kell takes over from Eric Anderson, who has been the company's interim Chief Executive Officer since January 2019.

"As the engagement ring and fine jewellery industries continue to evolve, Sean's leadership and strategic vision will elevate Blue Nile's modern approach to becoming our customer's jeweller for life,” said David Humphrey, a Managing Director at Bain Capital Private Equity and a member of the Board of Directors. “Sean is a seasoned leader, and we are thrilled to have him as Blue Nile's next CEO."

Kell holds an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California.