Apple nabs Burberry CEO for newly created spot

Apple has announced that Angela Ahrendts, CEO of Burberry, will be joining the company as SVP of retail and online stores — a newly created position — and as a member of its executive team. Ahrendts will report to CEO Tim Cook.



Ahrendts will be charged with overseeing the strategic direction, expansion and operation of both Apple retail and online stores.



“I am thrilled that Angela will be joining our team,” said Cook. “She shares our values and our focus on innovation, and she places the same strong emphasis as we do on the customer experience. She has shown herself to be an extraordinary leader throughout her career and has a proven track record.”



Ahrendts will join Apple in the spring. Prior to Burberry, she was EVP at Liz Claiborne Inc., and earlier in her career she served as president of Donna Karan International.



“I am profoundly honored to join Apple in this newly created position next year, and very much look forward to working with the global teams to further enrich the consumer experience on and offline,” said Ahrendts. “I have always admired the innovation and impact Apple products and services have on people’s lives and hope in some small way I can help contribute to the company’s continued success and leadership in changing the world.”

Ahrendts’ role at Burberry will be filled by the company’s chief creative officer, Christopher Bailey, who will hold the titles of chief creative officer and CEO.