of Victoria’s Secret.
Waters joined L Brands in 2008 as head of the company’s international division. Before that, he was managing director at Boots International, Europe’s leading health and beauty retailer.
Laura Miller was named chief human resources officer. Before joining L Brands, she served as CHRO of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Ltd and ADT, as well as Coca Cola Refreshments.
Becky Behringer is now executive vice president of North America store sales and operations. She joined Victoria’s Secret in 2012, and her most recent role was as senior vice president of store operations, in which she oversaw the business’ response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Janie Schaffer has been appointed chief design officer. She previously served as director of lingerie and beauty at British retailer Marks & Spencer. From 2008 to 2012, she served as head of design for Victoria’s Secret.
“The board and I are thrilled by the appointments of these talented leaders with demonstrated records of execution,” said Sarah Nash, chair of L Brands’ board of directors.
H&M appoints new head of sustainability
Clothing retailer H&M has appointed Leyla Ertur as the group’s head of sustainability. As of January 1, she will replace Anna Gedda, who has led the company’s sustainability initiatives since 2014.
Gedda will take on a new role as the group’s head of steering and strategic planning.
“Leyla’s vast experience working in our production countries combined with her leadership skills, make her ideally suited to carry on the fantastic work Anna and her team have done over the past six years,” said H&M Group’s CEO, Helena Helmersson. “I’m excited about what she will bring to the role as we continue pushing the boundaries within sustainability, driving the agenda both at H&M Group and for the industry.”
Ertur, who joined the company in 2000, has worked in multiple continents, leading the company’s teams across a variety of areas including HR, production and global supply chain management.
Redbubble names new CEO
Art marketplace Redbubble has appointed Michael Ilczynski to take on the role of its new chief executive officer, effective January 27, 2021.
Ilczynski, who was formerly CEO of the employment site Seek, said he is very thankful for having been given the opportunity and that he sees opportunities to build on Redbubble’s three-sided marketplace offer.
Redbubble chair Anne Ward said they are delighted to be able to attract a proven, senior leader of Ilczynski’s calibre to join Redbubble as the company transitions from a niche to a mainstream global consumer marketplace.
Interim CEO and founder Martin Hosking said the appointment is the next milestone in Redbubble’s ambition to pursue the growing global e-commerce opportunity.
“I was determined that our next CEO had the experience, skills and passion for growing our global community of independent artists and customers, plus the leadership track record and spark to inspire and develop our incredible global team,” Hosking said. “Michael is that person.”
The search for a new CEO came about in February when the company’s board decided a change of leadership was necessary and ousted then-CEO Barry Newstead.
J.Crew appoints new chief executive
Apparel retailer J. Crew has appointed Libby Wadle as its new chief executive officer. She will oversee J.Crew and J.Crew Factory in addition to her current leadership responsibilities at Madewell, where she is also CEO.
Jan Singer, who was previously J.Crew Group’s CEO, has elected to pursue other endeavours, according to the company.
“To be successful in today’s retail environment, brands must have a strong sense of purpose, deep connection with their customers, and an organisational structure that rewards creativity, agility and innovation,” Wadle said. “Moving forward as a company under unified leadership, we will harness the power of our collective platforms and talented teams to ensure our brands can continue to inspire and grow.”
Wadle has more than 25 years of retail and apparel industry experience and has spent the last 16 years at J.Crew, where she has held senior management roles at each brand.
