Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has hired Burberry Group plc (LON:BRBY) (OTCMKTS:BURBY) CEO Angela Ahrendts to head its retail operation from spring 2014. Ahrendts will be the Senior Vice President of Retail and Online Stores and according to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) she will have “oversight of the strategic direction, expansion and operation of both Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) retail and online stores.”
Ahrendts, highest paid CEO in 2012
Ahrendts, who joined fashion brand Burberry in January 2006, was the CEO in the London based firm. Prior to Burberry Group plc (LON:BRBY) (OTCMKTS:BURBY) she has worked with fashion brands like Liz Claiborne and Donna Karan. According to CNN Reports, Ahrendts was the highest paid female CEO in the United Kingdom, in 2012. She received a total compensation package of £16.9 million ($26.3 million) for the year.
CEO Tim Cook said in a statement that he is happy to see Angela joining the team. According to Cook, she shares the same values as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). He wrote that she is equally concerned about customer experience and has proven to be an extraordinary leader throughout her career and has a well established track record.
Ahrendts wrote that she is honored to join Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) as the Senior Vice President of Retail and Online Stores, and is looking forward to working with global teams to bring more value to the consumer experience, both online and offline. She said that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s innovation in its products and services and impact on people’s lives has always inspired her. Ahrendts also said that she is looking forward to contributing to the company’s success and leadership.
Apple hiring fashion house executives
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has hired its third fashion house CEO within a few months. The first one to join Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was Paul Deneve, former CEO and President of Yves-Saint Laurent, back in July. In August, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) hired Enrique Atienza, a senior vice president at Levi’s who is heading the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s U.S. retail efforts.
Ahrendts will be the only female vice president at Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). Andrea Jung, who was formerly the CEO of Avon, is the only female on the company’s board of directors. Ahrendts will replace John Browett, Apple’s senior vice president of retail who was dropped from the company last October. However, Ahrendts will look after Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s online store, as well as its more than 400 retail locations worldwide.