Mulberry names new CEO: Thierry Andretta

Following news blasts from earlier this week that Mulberry was close to naming a new chief executive officer, the luxury label decided to step forward this morning and announced the appointment of Thierry Andreatta as CEO, effective from 7 April, 2015. Currently working for Mulberry's as an independent non-executive director, Andretta will take the torch over from Godfrey Davis, who filled the role on an interim basis and is to return to the role of Chairman on the same date.

Mulberry names non-executive director as CEO

Despite previous speculation from Reuters that Mulberry aimed to have its new CEO start at the same time as its new creative director Johnny Coca, who was recruited last November from Céline and is to begin his new role at the label on July 8, the luxury brand appears to have had a change of heart and will have Andretta move into his new role ahead of Coca. However, the label stressed in a statement sent out that the two will be working "closely" together once Coca joins the label.

"I am delighted that Thierry has agreed to become chief executive," commented Davis in a statement. "He has a wealth of fashion and luxury goods experience and an ability to drive our ambitious plans for international growth. In parallel with recruiting our new Creative Director, Johnny Coca, we undertook an extensive search and concluded that Thierry was the outstanding CEO candidate."

Andretta first joined the team at Mulberry as an independent non-executive director last June and was recently working with the luxury label as a consultant, helping review Mulberry's international expansion schemes. He brings with him years of experience working within the industry, previously holding a number of senior roles at brands including Lanvin, Moschino, the Gucci Group, LVMH Fashion Group and Céline and was recently the chief executive of Buccellati, a higher end luxury jewellery brand.

"I am delighted to become chief executive after nearly a year as a non-executive director," said Andretta on his new role. "Mulberry is a truly authentic British brand with a unique manufacturing base in the UK. The brand has great international potential and I look forward to building the business with Godfrey, Johnny, the rest of the team and the Board."

Mulberry will finally have a united team at it's helm once more, after the label has sailed without a CEO and creative director for over a year following Emma Hill's sudden departure in 2013, which was closely followed by the exit of Mulberry's former CEO Bruno Guillon, who left in March 2014, after a series of profit warnings plagued the label.