Board of Directors

Appointed: 17 May 2018

Nationality: Irish

Committees: 
Nomination Committee (Chairman)

Experience
Gerry joined the Board as Chairman Designate on 17 May 2018 and was appointed Chairman following the AGM on 12 July 2018. Gerry is also Chairman of Tate & Lyle plc and of the principal European entity of The Blackstone Group where he served as a partner in the firm’s private equity investment unit from 2008 to 2017. From 2003 to 2008, Gerry was CEO of Kingfisher plc, a leading home improvement retailer in Europe and Asia. He was also previously CEO of Carlton Communications plc (now ITV) from 2000 to 2003, Exel plc from 1995 to 2000, Greencore Group plc from 1991 to 1995 and spent his earlier career with Grand Metropolitan plc (now Diageo plc). He has also served on the Boards of British American Tobacco plc from 2009 to 2017, Merlin Entertainments plc from 2009 to 2015, Reckitt Benckiser plc from 2005 to 2008, Abbey National plc in 2004 and Novar plc from 1997 to 2003.

Key Skills
Gerry brings to the Board experience of managing business transformations and has substantial international business and senior management experience. His in-depth understanding of UK corporate governance requirements and his extensive experience in the retail sector provide the Board with highly relevant and valuable leadership as Burberry continues to focus on delivering long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders.

Appointed: 5 July 2017

Nationality: Italian

Experience
Marco joined Burberry from the French luxury leather group Céline, where he was Chairman and CEO from 2008 to 2016. Prior to this, he served as Chairman and CEO of Givenchy and was CEO of Moschino from 1993 to 2004. In his early career Marco worked as marketing and sales director at Bottega Veneta, before joining luxury leather specialist Valextra as managing director.

Key Skills
Marco has spent more than two decades working in a variety of executive positions for prestigious international fashion brands, with a focus on leather goods. He has an outstanding track record of delivering growth in the luxury industry and has a clear vision for the luxury sector and how it will evolve. Whilst working at Céline, he revamped the entire product offering and significantly increased profits. His extensive understanding of international brand transformation and retail execution is highly relevant to Burberry as we continue to re-energise the brand, drive forward with our strategy and strive for long-term growth in the rapidly changing environment in which we operate.

Appointed: 18 January 2017

Nationality: British

Experience
Julie is a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Institute of Taxation. She is currently a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at Roche Holding Limited. From 2013 to 2017, Julie was CFO of Smith & Nephew plc. Julie qualified with KPMG before working at ICI and AstraZeneca plc from 1987, where she served as Vice President Group Finance and ultimately Interim Group CFO. Prior to that, she was Vice President Corporate Strategy and Regional Vice President Latin America. Julie has also previously held two Non-Executive Directorships with the NHS in the UK and the British Embassy.

Key Skills
Julie has a strong track record of delivering operational excellence and has significant experience in financial, commercial and strategic roles. Her extensive experience of leading businesses through major transformational programmes will continue to be valuable to Burberry as we progress with our operational excellence programme and move into the next phase of our strategy.

Appointed: 10 March 2015

Nationality: American

Committees:
Remuneration Committee
Nomination Committee

Experience
Fabiola is currently the Managing Partner of Siempre Holdings, a private investment firm based in the US. She is also a Non-Executive Director at Campbell Soup Company and National Public Radio (NPR), and a National Council Member of the World Wildlife Fund and Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Fabiola has previously served as a Non-Executive Director at Experian plc, Rodale Inc., Saks Incorporated, Intelsat Inc., BOC Group plc, Bankinter S.A, Sesame Workshop and the World Wildlife Fund UK and US. She previously held senior operating roles at Yahoo! Inc, the BBC and Bertelsmann AG.

Key Skills
Fabiola brings directly relevant international strategic and operational experience in the internet and media sectors, including a senior role at a pre-eminent global internet company. Her extensive international non-executive directorship experience, and digital and consumer background make her an important member of the Board.

Appointed: 5 February 2014

Nationality: British

Committees:
Audit Committee
Nomination Committee

Experience
Jeremy is Group CEO of Sky, having joined the company as CFO in 2004. Prior to this, Jeremy was Group Finance Director of DSG International plc (formerly Dixons Group plc) and spent 12 years at Procter & Gamble in a variety of roles in the UK and Europe. From 2006 to 2013, Jeremy served as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Marks and Spencer Group plc.

Key Skills
Jeremy has considerable expertise in the consumer retail environment built up over a successful career at some of the UK’s most high-profile companies. As Group CEO of Sky, he has transformed the business into Europe’s leading entertainment company, which now operates in seven different markets. His proven track record of driving business performance and delivering shareholder value makes him a valuable member of the Board.

Appointed: 1 September 2017

Nationality: American

Committees: 
Audit Committee
Remuneration Committee
Nomination Committee

Experience
Ron is currently CEO of Ron Frasch Associates LLC. He is also a Non-Executive Director of Crocs Inc and Aztech Mountain. Between 2004 to 2013, Ron served as Vice Chairman of Saks Fifth Avenue Inc. and later became President and Chief Merchandising Officer, with responsibility for fashion buying, merchandise planning, store planning, stores, and visual. Prior to Saks, Ron spent 4 years as President and CEO for Bergdorf Goodman. He has also served as President of the Americas for an Italian licensing company of luxury fashion brands.

Key Skills
Ron has spent over 30 years working in the retail industry. He has clear strategic acumen, strong leadership skills and wide-ranging experience of working with luxury fashion brands. Whilst working at Saks he was the instrumental driving force behind developing the company’s private label collections. Ron’s wealth of fashion experience and his well-established merchandising skills will continue to play a pivotal role as Burberry continues to grow and we strengthen our performance in the luxury fashion market.

Appointed: 1 September 2013

Nationality: British

Committees:
Audit Committee (Chair)
Remuneration Committee
Nomination Committee

Experience
Matthew is currently a Non-Executive Director of BT Group plc and a Member of BT’s Audit & Risk Committee and Nominating & Governance Committee. Matthew served as a Non-Executive Director of OSN (a leading pay TV operator across the Middle East) between 2015 to 2018 and was a member of the advisory Board of Samsung Europe between 2015 and 2017. From 2007 to 2014, Matthew held various positions at Telefonica, including Chairman and CEO of Telefonica Europe plc, and Chairman and CEO of Telefonica Digital, the global innovation arm of Telefonica. In his early career he held various financial positions at Grand Metropolitan plc, Kingfisher plc, Coca-Cola and Schweppes.

Key Skills
Matthew has significant strategic, regulatory and operational experience in the e-commerce and technology sectors. He brings to the Board significant experience of managing dynamic and fast-moving international companies and has an extensive understanding of the consumer market. Matthew’s significant financial experience remains important to the Board, as reflected in his recent appointment as Chair of the Audit Committee.

Appointed: 1 September 2014

Nationality: British

Committees:
Audit Committee
Nomination Committee

Experience
Carolyn joined ITV plc in 2018 as CEO. From 2010 to 2017 she was CEO of easyJet plc and held a number of roles at the Guardian Media Group plc, including CEO from 2006 to 2010. She has also previously served as a Non-Executive Director of Lloyds TSB, Tesco plc and New Look Group plc. In 2008, Carolyn was awarded an OBE for her services to women in business and in 2016 a damehood for her services to the aviation industry.

Key Skills
Carolyn has an impressive track record in media and is known for her experience of running international businesses. While at easyJet plc Carolyn transformed the company into one of the biggest airlines in Europe. Carolyn's clear strategic acumen and strong track record of driving operational excellence and managing change makes her an important member of the Board as Burberry strives to deliver long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders.

Appointed: 3 January 2018

Nationality: Irish

Committees:
Remuneration Committee (Chair)
Nomination Committee

Experience
Orna is currently Senior Independent Director at Saga plc and Royal Mail plc, where she also chairs the Remuneration Committee. Orna has served as Deputy Chairman at the National Trust since 2014 and is also Chair of Client Services at Eden McCallum. Orna has previously served on the Boards of Bupa, HMV, Northern Foods and Bank of Ireland UK, and has been an advisor to Apax Partners LLP. She spent 18 years at McKinsey & Company, where she co-led their European Retail Practice.

Key Skills
Orna has strong UK plc and international business experience, especially in the consumer and retail markets. She also brings to the Board significant financial, strategic and governance experience. Orna is a passionate environmentalist and was Chair of the Soil Association (which campaigns for organic food and farming) for 6 years. Her passion for the environment will be an asset to Burberry as we continue to drive positive change and build a more sustainable future through our ongoing Responsibility Agenda.