Sephora appoints new president and CEO
by Dean Blake
Guillaume Motte has been named president and CEO of Sephora’s global operations.
Motte previously served at parent company LVMH as its deputy chief executive, and had previously worked as Sephora’s president of Europe and Middle East as well as CEO of French menswear brand Celio.
CEO of the LVMH selective retailing division and former president and CEO at Sephora Chris de Lapuente welcomed Motte to the position.
“I am delighted to welcome Guillaume back to Sephora as President & CEO. His experiences over the past two years in LVMH Fashion Group, alongside Sidney Toledano, have broadened his prestige Brand building expertise and deepened his already extensive retail and business skills at a global level,” de Lapuente said.
“I have no doubt he will continue to build Sephora into the extraordinary premium beauty retailer we envision. I am extremely happy that we will be working together again.”
River Island boss stepping down
by Dean Blake
Fashion firm River Island’s chief executive is stepping down after three years at the helm.
Will Kernan will remain in charge until 2023, and will work with chairman Clive Lewis on a handover process before leaving to “pursue personal projects”.
A search is now underway for Kernan’s replacement.
According to Retail Gazette, Kernan told executives this week he is grateful for the time spent at the retailer.
“My affection for the River business, its core values and the Lewis family make my decision to move on all the more difficult, but I am excited by the prospect of my next chapter,” said Kernan.
Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele set to depart
by Reuters
Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele is leaving the Italian fashion house, the biggest brand of French luxury group Kering.
Michele, a former accessories designer, who took on the top creative role at Gucci in 2015, is credited with reviving the label’s popularity with flamboyant and gender-fluid styles.
“Could a major change be taking place at Gucci? Well-placed sources here say that creative director Alessandro Michele is exiting the brand,” WWD said in a report from Milan.
Both Kering and Gucci declined to comment on the WWD report.
WWD quoted one source as saying Michele had been asked “to initiate a strong design shift” to light a fire under the brand, and that the designer did not meet the request. The WWD report said that Kering’s chairman and CEO Francois-Henri Pinault, was looking at a change of pace for the brand.
Alongside CEO Marco Bizzarri, Michele oversaw a period of soaring growth between 2015 and 2019, with profits increasing nearly four-fold and revenues almost trebling.
National Retail Association names Greg Griffith as new CEO
by Rakshnna Pattabiraman
Greg Griffith has been named the new CEO of the National Retail Association (NRA), effective early next year.
Griffith has experience in executive management roles and joins the NRA from Family Business Australia & New Zealand, where he is currently the CEO and company secretary. Yesterday he posted a message on his LinkedIn account saying after six years in the role, and having “given my all” it was the right time to make a move.
Griffith was also CEO of Dairy Farmers Milk Cooperative & Australian Dairy Farmers Cooperative for more than seven years and the CEO of Destination Melbourne.
“The common thread running through all of Greg’s previous roles is the community focus of each of those organisations,” said Tim Schaafsma, NRA chair.
“This is where the NRA board believes Greg will deliver the greatest value for Australian retailers. The NRA is delighted that Greg will bring that community engagement experience to the retail sector.”
NRA’s interim CEO Lindsay Carroll will continue as deputy CEO and the NRA legal practice director after Griffith commences.
