Jonathan Akeroyd
Former chief executive of Burberry (2022 to 2024)
Jonathan Akeroyd is a British luxury executive who was chief executive of Burberry until July 2024, when he left by mutual agreement and was replaced by Joshua Schulman. Burberry recruited him from Versace, where he had been chief executive, and he set out a growth strategy for the brand.
| Role | Former chief executive, Burberry |
|---|---|
| Burberry | 2022 to July 2024 |
| Successor | Joshua Schulman |
| Previously | Chief executive, Versace (2016 to 2022) and Alexander McQueen (2004 to 2016) |
| Nationality | British |
Who is Jonathan Akeroyd?
Jonathan Akeroyd is a British fashion executive who has spent his career running luxury houses. He is best known as chief executive of Burberry, the London listed British luxury brand, and previously as chief executive of the Italian house Versace, which was then owned by Capri Holdings.
Career
Akeroyd held senior fashion roles at the London department store Harrods before becoming chief executive of Alexander McQueen in 2004. Over twelve years he led a turnaround of the British brand and laid the foundation for its international expansion. In June 2016 he became chief executive of Versace, a role he held until March 2022. Burberry announced his appointment in October 2021, and he joined in 2022 to succeed Marco Gobbetti, and he set out a growth strategy for the brand. He worked alongside creative director Daniel Lee.
On 15 July 2024 Burberry announced that Akeroyd had stepped down with immediate effect by mutual agreement with the board. The announcement was made together with a trading update in which Burberry warned on its first half results. He was succeeded by Joshua Schulman, the former chief executive of Michael Kors and Coach, who took over on 17 July 2024. Burberry's chair Gerry Murphy said that Akeroyd had "set out a clear strategy for growth that we will build on".
Influence on the fashion business
Akeroyd's career illustrates the role of the professional chief executive in luxury fashion, a manager who moves between houses and countries to lead brand repositioning. Key themes of his career include:
- Leading houses in different countries and ownership structures
- Repositioning heritage brands for a changing luxury market
- Working in partnership with creative directors
- Answering to public market investors on performance
His departure came during a period of weaker demand across the luxury sector.
Why it matters
Burberry is the most prominent British luxury brand and one of the few listed in London, so its leadership attracts close scrutiny from investors and the industry. Akeroyd's time at the top, after long tenures at Alexander McQueen and Versace and before the arrival of Joshua Schulman, is an important chapter in the brand's attempt to define its place in global luxury. His career also shows the strong links between British, Italian and American luxury groups in the market for senior executives.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Jonathan Akeroyd?
Jonathan Akeroyd is a British luxury executive who was chief executive of Burberry from 2022 until July 2024. Before Burberry he was chief executive of Versace and, earlier, of Alexander McQueen.
Who replaced Jonathan Akeroyd at Burberry?
Joshua Schulman, the former chief executive of Michael Kors and Coach, replaced him on 17 July 2024 after Burberry announced Akeroyd's departure by mutual agreement on 15 July 2024.