Angela Ahrendts

Former SVP Apple Retail, CEO Burberry

Biography:

Angela Ahrendts is one of the world's most visible business leaders. Angela Ahrendts served as Apple's head of online retail and physical stores from 2014 until April 2019. In her most recent role, she oversaw the retail strategy of Silicon Valley design and technology company Apple.

In 2013, Ahrendts left her role as chief executive of British luxury brand Burberry, which she helped transform from a stale trench coat brand into a global fashion force by restructuring the business and focusing on digital innovation.

Upon joining Burberry, Ahrendts discontinued 35 product categories, many of which featured the iconic Burberry check, as part of her efforts to reposition the company as an "inviting luxury company" after years of over-licensing and brand dilution. Since then, she has overseen the launch of new product lines and the buy-back of Burberry's beauty licences. She masterminded the company's retail expansion into new markets and was an early proponent of the internet, investing heavily in the company's e-commerce capabilities, digital marketing presence and in-store technology.

Prior to Burberry, Ahrendts was Executive Vice President at Liz Claiborne, where she joined the executive team in 1998. During her tenure, she oversaw the contemporary, casual, bridge and menswear businesses, which included more than 20 brands and represented 40 percent of the company's total sales. Prior to Liz Claiborne, she spent six years as President of Donna Karan International from 1989 to 1996 and one year at Henri Bendel.

Achievements:

• Ahrendts made her mark as CEO of Burberry from 2006 to 2014, where she doubled revenues of the old-line British clothing company.

The speaker talks about:

Angela Ahrendts garnered significant experience in women's fashion and technology working with giants of industries Apple and Burberry and she ir ready to share her experience wirh the audience.