J. CREW GROUP NAMES JAN SINGER CEO

J.Crew Group has named Jan Singer as its new chief executive officer, effective February 2, 2020. Singer, a veteran consumer and retail executive with more than 25 years of experience putting the customer at the center and positioning brands for long-term growth, most recently served as CEO of Victoria’s Secret Lingerie.

Singer will join the company’s board of directors and assume responsibility for all aspects of the J.Crew and J.Crew Factory brands and businesses. Michael J. Nicholson, who led the company as interim chief executive officer, will return to his previous role as president and chief operating officer of J.Crew Group, Inc. Libby Wadle will continue as president and CEO of Madewell, reporting separately to the board of directors of the company.

“Jan is a dynamic leader with significant experience growing and modernizing omnichannel brands,” said Chad Leat, director and chairman of the board of directors. “Over the past year, we have made great progress restoring profitability at the J.Crew brand, while further optimizing our operations, thereby establishing a strong foundation for long-term growth. Jan’s passion for our brand, focused vision of our potential and deep understanding of the modern consumer will be invaluable in rebuilding the strategic positioning and prestige of our iconic brand and company.”

“On behalf of the Board, we would like to sincerely thank Mike for his guidance and leadership during this critical interim period,” Leat continued. “He will continue as a valued and integral leader on the executive team, partnering closely with Jan to drive the business forward.”

At Victoria’s Secret, Singer led the company’s $4 billion intimates business across 1,000 stores and digital platforms. She strengthened operating performance by innovating across core categories and relaunching new high-growth businesses like sleep and exclusive collaborations.

Singer joined Victoria’s Secret from her previous role as chief executive officer of Spanx, Inc. Prior to Spanx, she spent 10 years at Nike, Inc., where she led both the global footwear and apparel teams. During her tenure at Nike footwear, she oversaw the successful launch of iconic products including Nike Flyknit, Nike Free and the reset of Nike Air. Singer was also responsible for apparel innovations including Nike Seamless, Nike AeroLoft and Nike Tech Fleece.

“I’m excited and honored to join this iconic brand and team at such an important time,” said Singer. “For me, J.Crew has led specialty retail by knowing what it takes to be a brand—putting the consumer first and at the center. My passion for developing product, brand experiences, and teams feels very at home at J.Crew. It’s a beloved brand that has always been in my heart and, like millions of consumers, in my closet.”