Angela Ahrendts leaves the luxury retailer for a newly created position at Apple. Find out what Christopher Bailey has to say about his new role...
Burberry has named Christopher Bailey as its new creative head after former CEO Angelia Ahrendts stepped down to join technology giant Apple.
Angela, who has led Burberry for the past eight years, is to join Apple to run their retail operations, leaving Christopher Bailey to add Chief Executive to his title of Chief Creative Officer.
Christopher, who has been at Burberry since 2001 and Chief Creative Officer for the past six years, said of his promotion: 'I am profoundly moved and humbled to be asked to take on the CEO role at this company that means so much to me. I also feel privileged to be keeping my role as Chief Creative Officer, as I believe that creativity and innovation have been at the heart of our success in the last ten years and will be even more so in the decade ahead.
‘We have a clear strategy to build on, an increasingly powerful brand and an inspiring management team. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of design, technology and communication while never forgetting our heritage, our Britishness and our values.’
Angela became Britain's highest earning CEO during her time at Burberry and the first woman to top the country's pay league. Her and Christopher were credited with 'de-chavving' the brand and turning it into one of the world's most powerful luxury fashion houses, now worth £6 billion.
Following the announcement, Angela said: ‘Burberry is in brilliant shape, having built the industry's most powerful management team, converted the business to a dynamic digital global retailer, created a world class supply chain, state of the art technology infrastructure, sensational brand momentum and one of the most closely connected creative cultures in the world today. It has been an honour to have partnered with Sir John Peace and Christopher for the last eight years.'
‘I am confident that, with Sir John’s continued guidance and the executive team’s support, Christopher, as one of this generation’s greatest visionaries, will continue to lead Burberry to new heights. Today, Burberry is not only a great brand, but a truly great company.’
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