BURBERRY NAMES JONATHAN AKEROYD CEO
Burberry announced on Wednesday that it has tapped Jonathan Akeroyd as its new chief executive officer and executive director, effective April 1, 2022. He will report to chair Gerry Murphy and the board of directors.
Akeroyd succeeds Marco Gobbetti, who will step down from the role and leave the luxury British brand on December 31, 2021. Murphy will chair the executive committee from this date until Akeroyd joins Burberry.
A British national, Akeroyd, 54, is currently chief executive officer of Milan-based Gianni Versace SpA, a position he has held since June 2016. In his tenure at Versace, Akeroyd has reorganized and accelerated growth at the iconic Italian fashion house, building on the brand’s rich creative heritage to elevate product, communications, and the customer experience.
Akeroyd will remain with Versace through March 31, 2022, and will work with John D. Idol, chairman and chief executive officer of Capri Holdings, Versace’s parent company, to provide full support to the executive leadership team and ensure an orderly transition. Capri Holdings will immediately begin a search for a new chief executive officer of Versace.
“I would like to thank Jonathan for his leadership and tremendous contribution to Versace,” said Idol. “We wish him the best in his new role. He leaves Versace at a time when there is strong momentum for the brand and we are executing on our clearly defined strategic initiatives. Versace has an exceptional management team in place, led by the innovative design vision of Donatella Versace, and we remain confident in the luxury house’s long-term growth potential.”
Before joining Versace, Akeroyd served as chief executive officer of Alexander McQueen from 2004 to 2016, during which time he led a turnaround of the British luxury brand and laid the foundation for global expansion. He has also held a number of senior fashion roles at London-based luxury department store Harrods.
“I am delighted that Jonathan Akeroyd will be joining Burberry as our next chief executive officer,” remarked Murphy. “Jonathan is an experienced leader with a strong track record in building global luxury fashion brands and driving profitable growth. 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.”
“I am honoured to be joining Burberry as chief executive officer,” added Akeroyd. “I have long admired Burberry’s position as the most iconic British luxury brand and I have a deep affection for its storied heritage. 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.”