Parent company of QVC taps online retail exec as new CEO

A new appointment brings the number of Black CEOs on the Fortune 500 to five.

The parent company of QVC, HSN, Zulily, Ballard Designs, Frontgate and other brands has appointed David Rawlinson II as its next president and CEO, effective Oct. 1. He will succeed Mike George after a two-month transition period, beginning August 1, during which time Rawlinson will serve as president and CEO-elect.

Rawlinson's counterparts on the Fortune 500 are Rosalind Brewer (Walgreens Boots Alliance),  Thasunda Brown Duckett (TIAA),  Marvin Ellison (Lowe's), and Rene Jones (M&T Bank). 

Qurate Retail had announced in November 2020 that George would be retiring from the company at the end of 2021, allowing time for transition planning and an executive search process. George is currently the chairman of the National Retail Federation board of directors. He assumed the two-year position in January 2020. George will remain at Qurate as a senior advisor beginning Oct. 1, before retiring at the end of the year.

Rawlinson most recently served as CEO of NielsenIQ, from January 2020 to March 2021. Prior to that, he was president of Grainger Global Online, where he led the fastest growth, stand-alone division of industrial supplier W.W. Grainger. Under his leadership, the business grew double digits every year and won multiple national awards for workplace culture, according to Qurate. 

“David brings an impressive track record of success, most recently with two storied brands, Nielsen and Grainger,” said Greg Maffei, Qurate Retail executive chairman. “At these companies, David was a transformational leader and successfully managed the businesses through evolutionary transitions. His knowledge of global e-commerce, understanding of consumer trends and focus on mission and culture as a purpose-driven leader make him a natural fit for Qurate Retail”

Rawlinson will join the Qurate board on Jan. 1, 2022, when George steps down.