In a lengthy statement, Apple announced the news of the departure of its Senior Vice President, Angela Ahrendts. Her stint at the company lasted five years, and now she wants to leave the company to go after “new personal and professional pursuits,” Apple said.
Ahrendts boasts an impressive CV, holding the title of Burberry’s CEO from 2006 to 2014 before she became a member of team Apple. Seeing how she came from a completely different line of profession, her recruitment was thought to be unusual, but Apple states that the decision was made precisely because of her expertise in fashion.
The giant tech corporation was close to launching its first-generation Apple Watch when she arrived at the Cupertino company. And it was during her tenure that Apple began selling style along with their cool gadgets.
With her heading retail and online stores, she helped create a one-of-a-kind shopping experience for Apple Watch buyers. Instead of the regular, everyman atmosphere of Apple Store, she made the experience similar to that of shopping at a luxury brand’s store.
She is also to be credited for spearheading “Today at Apple” – a rebranding and expansion of in-store teaching and entertainment events. With many more achievements under her belt, she continued with her splendid work and created a style for Apple that we know today despite not having complete liberty to do everything she wanted. In Buzzfeed news, October 2017, she said that Apple design chief Jony Ive told her not to “mess with the tables.”
However, as she is preparing to leave the company, there are no hard feelings. “The last five years have been the most stimulating, challenging and fulfilling of my career,” Ahrendts commented. “Through the teams’ collective efforts, Retail has never been stronger or better positioned to make an even greater contribution for Apple.“
Following her departure from the company, Dierdre O’Brien will assume the title of Senior Vice President of “Retail + People” in April. He has been with the corporation since 1988 as the senior VP of People – a role that covers ‘People-related functions’ such as talent development, recruiting, employee relations and experience, business partnership, benefits, compensation, and inclusion and diversity, what you’d call the HR in a regular company.
In the occasion of O’Brien taking up the new position, Apple CEO Tim Cook said, “At Apple, we believe our soul is our people, and Deirdre understands the qualities and strengths of our team better than anyone.” He also thanked Ahrendts for being a “positive, transformative force” for both Apple stores and their surrounding communities.
