Retail investment platform Alquemie Group grows team Alquemie Group, which operates Ginger & Smart, Surfstitch and AG Lego certified stores in Australia and New Zealand, has recently appointed Kerry Cusack as managing director of vertical brands [pictured, right] Earlier this year, the company also welcomed Matthew Robertson [pictured, left] as its new group chief operating officer. Cusack was previously head of international business at menswear specialty retailer Retail Apparel Group. Prio
oup. Prior to that, she was general manager of PAS Group’s Bondi Bather and Jets Swimwear. She joined Alquemie last month.
Robertson, who joined the group in January, formerly held the group buying and marketing director position at WHSmith Australia. Prior to that, he was general manager of buying and general merchandise at Woolworths Group’s Big W.
Alquemie Group is one of the retail investment platforms chaired by Richard Facioni, former executive director of Alceon Group’s private equity portfolio.
Facioni left Alceon in late January to establish a new boutique private equity firm, ACTA Capital.
ACTA and Alceon co-manage Mosaic Brands and Alquemie, with Facioni acting as chairman of both platforms.
Michael Hill chair Emma Hill to step down
Jewellery retailer Michael Hill International chair Emma Hill will be stepping down from her role on June 28.
Hill, who will remain as a non-executive director, will be succeeded by Rob Fyfe, former CEO of Air New Zealand.
Hill has been a director at Michael Hill since 2007. She was appointed to the chair position in 2015.
“Rob is an outstanding strategic and transformative leader with a track record of maximising shareholder value,” Hill said. “The time is right for this transition. The company has never been in a healthier position.”
Fyfe was also the CEO and subsequent chair of Icebreaker and has sat on the Michael Hill board for more than seven years. He was recently appointed as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his leadership and services to business.
“It is an honour and privilege to take on the role as chair of Michael Hill International and to build on the heritage that Sir Michael and Emma as chairs, and the entire Hill family, have contributed over the last four decades,” Fyfe said.
Michael Hill’s CEO Daniel Bracken will join the board as managing director.
Lazada president to depart from the company
The president of e-commerce giant Alibaba’s online shopping flagship Lazada, Jessica Liu, is departing from the company to spend more time with her family.
Liu, who joined Lazada in 2020 from Alibaba, was also the CEO of Lazada Thailand and served as head of LazMall, the marketplace for international and local brands within the Lazada platform.
At Alibaba, Liu served as general manager of Tmall Fashion and Luxury from 2012 to 2019, which grew to become China’s largest fashion business-to-consumer online platform under her leadership.
Liu said women make up 40 per cent of Lazada’s employees and more than a third of her colleagues on the senior management team are females, including the company’s executive chairwoman Lucy Peng.
Lazada didn’t disclose further information on Liu’s future plans.
Former PVH exec named group CEO of Jim Thompson
Thai silk fashion and home furnishings brand Jim Thompson has appointed former PVH Asia president Frank Cancelloni as its new group CEO.
“Frank is a widely experienced senior executive with a strong commercial, financial and operational track record spanning over a long successful career in the Far East,” said William Booth, board member at Jim Thompson.
Booth said Cancelloni’s experience makes him a great fit for Jim Thompson and well qualified to lead the business through the pandemic and improve its profitability.
At PVH Asia, Cancelloni oversaw the Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein divisions. He also held senior roles at Lacoste Asia Pacific and VF Asia.
PVH Corporation announces management shakeup
Global fashion business PVH Corporation has announced the departure of Calvin Klein CEO Cheryl Abel-Hodges and chief operating and financial officer, Mike Shaffer.
Abel-Hodges will be taking on an advisory role from July 1 to February 22, while Shaffer is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.
Trish Donnelly, CEO of PVH Americas, will take full global leadership responsibility for the business.
PVH made the announcement of the pending exits as it posted strong earnings for the first quarter of FY21.
CEO of fashion brand Love, Bonito to join Ramblin’ Brands board
Dione Song, the recently appointed CEO of Singaporean fashion brand Love, Bonito, has joined the board of consumer goods company Ramblin’ Brands as a non-executive director.
“Dione brings impressive expertise in both retailing and branding to the company,” said Mattias Hulting, co-founder of Ramblin’ Brands.
Ramblin’ Brands, which was founded by Hulting and Peder Wikström, sells female sexual wellness products through its brand Smile Makers. It is their aim to normalise sex products in everyday shopping environments. The brand has worked with retailers to launch its products, including Cotton On, Hugo Boss and Gucci.
“Smile Makers has been a voice for women, constantly pushing boundaries and normalising the conversation around female sexual wellness,” Song said.