Angela Ahrendts American entrepreneur, former CEO of Burberry, future head of retail sales at Apple. Date of Birth: 12.06.1960 Country: Great Britain

A Biography of Angela Ahrends

Angela Ahrends is an American entrepreneur who has made significant contributions to the fashion industry. She is a former CEO of Burberry and is set to become the head of retail sales at Apple. Ahrends' appointment at Apple is groundbreaking, as the company has historically lacked female representation in leadership positions, and no one could have anticipated that someone from the fashion world would hold such a high-ranking position in the tech giant.

Ahrends was born and raised in New Palestine, Indiana. She attended Ball State University, where she earned a degree in merchandising and marketing. In 2010, she was awarded an honorary doctorate in humanities from the same university. Immediately after graduating, Ahrends moved to New York City, indicating her determination to pursue a career in the fashion industry by purchasing a one-way ticket.

She began her career at Warnaco and later joined Donna Karan International in 1989. At Donna Karan, Ahrends was entrusted with the launch of a new international luxury brand that focused on wholesale sales and licensing. In 1996, representatives from Henri Bendel hired Ahrends with the intention of expanding the brand into 50 new markets. However, the project was discontinued after only two years.

In 1998, Ahrends found a new position at Fifth & Pacific Companies as the vice president of corporate merchandising and design. In 2001, she was promoted to senior vice president, overseeing the activities of more than 20 brands owned by the company. The following year, Ahrends became the executive vice president responsible for the Liz Claiborne brand and the development of its men's and women's lines.

In January 2006, Ahrends joined Burberry, and on July 1, 2006, she replaced Rose Marie Bravo as the company's CEO. At the time, Burberry was facing challenging times, but Ahrends successfully rescued the brand by acquiring a valuable Spanish franchise and reevaluating its product range. Recognizing that the brand had become associated with aggressive and low-class subcultures, Ahrends decided to implement a radical change in Burberry's image. She raised retail prices and eliminated undesirable customers, while introducing new lines that reflected the brand's renewed identity.

Ahrends's innovative approach yielded remarkable results. During her tenure as CEO, Burberry's market value increased from 2 to 7 billion pounds. Sales tripled, and the share price quadrupled. Ahrends's success did not go unnoticed, and in 2012, she was named the highest-paid CEO in the UK, earning around 26.3 million pounds.

On October 15, 2013, it was announced that Ahrends would be leaving Burberry to take on the role of senior vice president of retail and online stores at Apple. Although some initially joked that Apple was resorting to hiring fashion industry professionals, Ahrends's exceptional track record with Burberry dispelled any doubts about her abilities.

In her personal life, Ahrends is an exception to the rule, having married her long-time partner Gregg after 17 years of being together. They met in elementary school, and their relationship has withstood the test of time. Ahrends and Gregg have three children and reside in their home west of London. Ahrends is a devout Christian, having been raised in the Methodist Church, and she continues to practice her faith to this day.