Burberry appoints new CEO

Burberry has announced the appointment of Jonathan Akeroyd as its newest CEO and executive director, effective 1 April 2022.

He will succeed Marco Gobbetti who will step down from the role and leave the company on 31 December 2021.

Akeroyd is currently the CEO of Milan-based Gianni Versace SpA, a position he has held since June 2016.

In his tenure at Versace, he has helped reorganise and accelerate growth at the Italian fashion house, building on the brand’s creative heritage to “elevate” product, communications and the customer experience.

Prior to that, he was CEO 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.

Akeroyd said: “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.”

Gerry Murphy, chair of Burberry, added: “I am delighted that Jonathan Akeroyd will be joining Burberry as our next CEO.

“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.”