Burberry names new CEO

Burberry

Gianni Versace CEO, Jonathan Akeroyd, has been appointed as the new CEO and executive director of Burberry, effective April.

Akeroyd will succeed Marco Gobbetti, who will step down from the role and leave Burberry by the end of this year. As the group’s new CEO, he will report to chair Gerry Murphy and the board.

“Akeroyd is an experienced leader with a strong track record in building global luxury fashion brands and driving profitable growth,” said Murphy. “He shares our values and our ambition to build on Burberry’s unique British creative heritage and his deep luxury and fashion industry expertise will be key to advancing the next phase of Burberry’s evolution.”

Akeroyd has served at Versace as CEO since June 2016, helping the brand reorganise and accelerate its growth. Prior to Versace, he was CEO at Alexander McQueen from 2004 to 2016. Akeroyd has also held several senior fashion roles at London-based luxury department store Harrods.

“I am looking forward to returning to London where I first built my career in the luxury industry to join a talented team with ambitious plans for the future and a strong platform to accelerate growth,” Akeroyd said.

Meanwhile, Gerry Murphy will chair the executive committee until Akeroyd joins Burberry.

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