<p>British fashion house Burberry named Jonathan Akeroyd as its new chief executive officer from next April, poaching the boss of Milan-based Gianni Versace and former Alexander McQueen head to succeed Marco Gobbetti.</p>.<p>The 165-year-old group had since June been searching for a replacement for Gobbetti, who is leaving four years into his plan to take the brand further upmarket. The announcement of his departure sent Burberry's shares down 10 per cent.</p>.<p>Burberry, known for its trench coats and trademark plaid, said in British national Akeroyd, 54, was the right choice to build on its creative heritage.</p>.<p>"Jonathan is an experienced leader with a strong track record in building global luxury fashion brands and driving profitable growth," Chair Gerry Murphy said.</p>.<p>During his five years at Italy's Versace, Akeroyd had accelerated growth and elevated product, Burberry said. Before that, from 2004-2016, he led the turnaround of British luxury brand Alexander McQueen.</p>.<p>While Covid-19 has over the last months hurt Burberry's sales by closing its stores across the world, the brand has since recovered.</p>.<p>It said in July its like-for-like sales had risen above pre-pandemic levels, driven by new, younger fans of Riccardo Tisci, the designer who Gobbetti brought in to revitalise the brand and who investors are relieved is staying put.</p>.<p>Gobbetti's departure has been cast as a personal decision to return to Italy, where he will lead the Italian luxury goods group Ferragamo.</p>.<p>Gobbetti will leave Burberry on Dec. 31. The group said that Murphy would chair the executive committee for the four months until Akeroyd joins on Apr. 1.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>British fashion house Burberry named Jonathan Akeroyd as its new chief executive officer from next April, poaching the boss of Milan-based Gianni Versace and former Alexander McQueen head to succeed Marco Gobbetti.</p>.<p>The 165-year-old group had since June been searching for a replacement for Gobbetti, who is leaving four years into his plan to take the brand further upmarket. The announcement of his departure sent Burberry's shares down 10 per cent.</p>.<p>Burberry, known for its trench coats and trademark plaid, said in British national Akeroyd, 54, was the right choice to build on its creative heritage.</p>.<p>"Jonathan is an experienced leader with a strong track record in building global luxury fashion brands and driving profitable growth," Chair Gerry Murphy said.</p>.<p>During his five years at Italy's Versace, Akeroyd had accelerated growth and elevated product, Burberry said. Before that, from 2004-2016, he led the turnaround of British luxury brand Alexander McQueen.</p>.<p>While Covid-19 has over the last months hurt Burberry's sales by closing its stores across the world, the brand has since recovered.</p>.<p>It said in July its like-for-like sales had risen above pre-pandemic levels, driven by new, younger fans of Riccardo Tisci, the designer who Gobbetti brought in to revitalise the brand and who investors are relieved is staying put.</p>.<p>Gobbetti's departure has been cast as a personal decision to return to Italy, where he will lead the Italian luxury goods group Ferragamo.</p>.<p>Gobbetti will leave Burberry on Dec. 31. The group said that Murphy would chair the executive committee for the four months until Akeroyd joins on Apr. 1.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>