Bob Ranftl has been appointed chief working officer of Ralph Lauren Corp., efficient March 30.
He succeeds Jane Nielsen, whose departure was beforehand revealed as a part of a multiyear strategic succession plan.
Ranftl, who joined Ralph Lauren in 2015 and has dealt with a number of monetary and business roles, is at the moment the regional chief government officer for North America. He will likely be succeeded in that function by Mercedes Abramo, who will be part of the corporate on March 1.
“Together with his world Ralph Lauren expertise, intensive operational background and deep love for our model, Bob is uniquely certified to function our subsequent chief working officer, after laying robust foundations that pivoted North America to progress,” stated Patrice Louvet, president and CEO of Ralph Lauren. “As we progress on our path towards long-term, sustainable progress in North America, Mercedes’ confirmed luxurious retail and folks management, and her deep understanding of the market and shopper, make her a pure option to be our subsequent regional CEO for North America. Ralph and I look ahead to her partnership and management.”
As reported final Might, Justin Picicci was promoted to chief monetary officer after a multiyear succession plan. Picicci picked up the title from Nielsen, who was to stay chief working officer by fiscal 2025 (12 months ending March 29, 2025).
Nielsen joined Ralph Lauren as CFO in 2016 and was elevated to government vice chairman, chief working officer and CFO in 2019. Earlier than becoming a member of Lauren, she was government vice chairman and CFO of Coach Inc., and senior vice chairman and CFO of PepsiCo.
Ranftl has held successive management roles at Ralph Lauren throughout a number of areas together with as chief working officer of North America; Asia Pacific; and Europe, Center East and Africa; bringing deep understanding of the corporate’s technique, model and worth chain, and the way key working features allow the enterprise to ship Lauren’s imaginative and prescient, in response to the corporate. In his most up-to-date function as regional CEO for North America, Ranftl oversaw enlargement throughout key cities, direct-to-consumer entry into the Canadian market, and repositioning of wholesale, placing the area again on a path for progress. As chief working officer, he’ll oversee IT, logistics, actual property, structure, and retailer design, in addition to the corporate’s licensing group.
“Over the previous 10 years, it has been a privilege to work with our groups to deliver Ralph’s imaginative and prescient to life for customers in several markets all over the world,” stated Ranftl. “The North America workforce has set the inspiration for the area’s brilliant future forward below Mercedes’s management. The corporate is in a robust place, and as chief working officer, I look ahead to driving the operational excellence that may assist allow long-term success.”
Abramo joins Ralph Lauren from Cartier S.A., the place she was deputy chief business officer. In her new function as regional CEO for North America, Abramo returns to New York, the place her retail management profession started, beginning as director of Cartier’s Fifth Avenue flagship, earlier than changing into vice chairman of retail after which president and CEO of Cartier North America.
“I’m deeply impressed by manufacturers which have wealthy historical past and heritage, and that create a lifelong emotional reference to their customers by staying true to who they’re whereas innovating and sustaining relevance. Time and time once more, Ralph Lauren has achieved this, serving to to outline American luxurious,” stated Abramo. “The North American market is extremely numerous, dynamic and filled with alternative. I’m proud to hitch the workforce at one of the vital thrilling occasions within the firm’s historical past and to assist lead the area in its subsequent stage of progress.”
Ranftl and Abramo will function members of the corporate’s enterprise management workforce, reporting to Louvet.
A number of executives at Ralph Lauren are additionally increasing their roles.
Halide Alagöz, chief product and merchandising officer, who at the moment leads the Polo, RRL, and Lauren model groups, can even oversee Assortment and Purple Label and model picture. She is going to oversee the end-to-end product lifecycle throughout the Ralph Lauren portfolio, from sourcing to retailer execution.
Ashley Potter will proceed as regional CEO for EMEA and Rising Markets and also will turn into chief way of life officer, overseeing the Ralph Lauren Dwelling and hospitality classes, additional integrating these choices into the corporate’s business group.
Shin Hwee Chua, who at the moment oversees the China and Southeast Asia markets, will broaden her remit as regional CEO to steer all the APAC area, together with Japan, Korea, and Australia.
