Burberry has recently been hit by Covid outbreaks in China
(Picture: Burberry)Fashion giant Burberry is to lose its chief operating officer (COO) Julie Brown as she departs after six years at the group.
She will step down from the couture house favoured by celebrities including Harry Potter star Emma Watson and chart-topping singer Billie Eilish at the end of the company’s financial year.
Gerry Murphy, chair of Burberry, said: ”On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Julie for her very significant contribution to Burberry’s transformation, including her central role in delivering our sustainability ambitions.”
Burberry said that Brown who is also chief financial officer (CFO) at the fashion brand was leaving to take up an opportunity “outside” the luxury industry and that the process to identify her successor was “underway”.
Jonathan Akeroyd, chief executive of Burberry, added: ”Julie has played a key role in positioning Burberry for growth, supported by a high-quality team. I would like to personally thank her for the support she has provided me since I joined six months ago. I look forward to building on the strong foundations we have in place to realise Burberry’s full potential.”
Brown said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Burberry’s COO and CFO. As a group, we have strengthened our brand and business and taken an industry-leading position in sustainability.
“I would like to thank Gerry, Jonathan, the board, my colleagues and above all my team for their partnership. I am fully committed to continuing to support them until the close of our financial year.”
In July, Burberry said it had been hit by a “currency tail wind” of £190 million on revenue and £90 million on profit and had been impacted by Covid outbreaks in China.
