CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France—Essilor has appointed Hilary Halper as chief financial officer.

Halper replaces Geraldine Picaud who has decided to pursue opportunities outside the company. Picaud served as Essilor’s CFO for seven years, during which time she contributed to the company’s performance of the company as well as the development of the finance and acquisitions functions.

Prior to joining Essilor as vice president, global head of mergers and acquisitions, Harper held positions of increasing responsibilities in finance at companies including GlaxoSmithKline, Deutsche Bank and Ernst & Young.

She holds a master of business administration from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity University, Texas.

Harper is a dual citizen of the United States and the United Kingdom and has lived in the U.S., Argentina, England and France.