Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts will join Apple in the spring to take over retail operations. Here are five fast facts you need to know.
1. She Will Be The Only Female Exec At Apple
Ahrendts is the only female on the executive board in about 10 years. (Getty)
The exec will be the only female on the 10 person board. Ahrendts will be the ninth VP to join the team as well. While her inclusion on the board is impressive, the only other female exec to fill a huge leadership role at the firm was Deborah Coleman. Deborah was at Apple for 11 years up until 1992. She served several different roles ranging from CFO to VP Information Systems.
2. Ahrendt’s Experience At Burberry Should Help Boost Retail
Angela will focus on the entire Apple Store line but its unknown what her plans are. (Getty)
Although her experience lies in fashion, Apple took notice when she implemented several tech-based strategies to boost Burberry’s appeal when she took over in June 2006. Utilizing Facebook and other social tools to alter the brand identity aided Ahrendts in turning the stuffy british trenchcoat maker into a high-class fashion house.
3. The Position of Retail VP Has Been Vacant Since October 2012
Ahrendts will take over the role vacated by Ron Browett who was fired after six months.(Getty)
The Burberry chief is more than qualified to handle this position but Apple has finally filled this vacancy after a year. Ron Johnson left in 2011 after building the strategy for the stores before being replaced by John Browett who was quickly fired last October. The reasoning behind this was that Browett did not fit “Apple’s culture” which has led to Tim Cook and his team hunting for someone to fill the position.
4. Apple and Burberry Have A Strong Working Relationship
The fashion house and Apple have worked together in the past which could have led to Tim Cook’s decision to take Angela onboard. For Burberry’s fall fashion show, Apple provided them with early copies of the iPhone 5s & iPhone 5c to film the entire event. Apple wants to alter perceptions that its products are luxurious pieces of tech and Angela could do just that.
5. Tim Cook Is Confident In Angela’s Abilities
Tim Cook sent a massive e-mail out to his staff assuring them that Angela is the right fit for the job.(Getty)
The “iWatch” is one of the rumored projects Apple may have in the pipeline but Tim Cook is very confident in Angela’s abilities. Sending out an e-mail to his employees and doling out numerous compliments to her abilities calling her “wicked smart“. Starting next spring, it’s unknown her ideas will impact Apple’s valuable chain of retail stores.
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Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s Only Female Exec: 5 Fast Facts You Need To Know