Why I Took the CEO Job at Ralph Lauren Corporation

Twenty years ago, the Ralph Lauren store on the Place de la Madeleine in Paris was my go-to place for gifts. I recall the feeling of walking through the doors, knowing I’d find something special for my family -- and perhaps something for myself. Today as it was then, the Ralph Lauren brand remains one of the most iconic of our generation. And now is the time to build on it for the next one.

That’s why, after 28 years at P&G, I made the decision to leave a team that I loved, a company that I grew up in, and a business that I nurtured to growth, to join Ralph Lauren as President and CEO.

To say the retail industry is at an inflection point would be an understatement. Technology has transformed the way consumers shop and connect with retail brands. Retail store closures are near a 20-year high as the fundamental shift to e-commerce continues. To stand out and compete, consumers expect a customized in-store shopping experience that’s unlike anything they’ve seen before. That’s a pretty big challenge, but I see it as our job to redefine the retail experience of the future.

At Ralph Lauren, I see expansive opportunity. To, grow, we’re exploring how to deliver state-of-the-art digital experiences at every point in a consumer’s shopping journey. We’re looking at ways to elevate our product offerings across lines and increase quality to our sales, distribution and discounting approaches. Lastly, we’re taking advantage of the growth around the world and further tailoring our strategy to better serve our global customers in local ways. In all we do, we’ll maintain the essence of our brand, while evolving how it is experienced and expressed to win the hearts and minds of all our customers around the world. But there’s also one thing about our brand that no one else has.

At the heart of the company is Ralph himself, a man I’ve long admired and am honored to partner with.

Before I accepted the role, we had many conversations about not just the “what” but the “how” while exploring ways we should operate in the modern age of retail. And we see a once in a lifetime opportunity to evolve Ralph Lauren in a way that drives new growth and value in an industry undergoing unprecedented change. Together, we will get back to leading the industry again – Ralph as the Chief Creative Officer in charge of the creative brand aesthetic decisions, and I as CEO, overseeing the company's strategy, execution and business results. During this time of transformation, the combination of our experience and expertise creates a powerful partnership.

I’m fortunate to start at a company with both a great foundation and considerable opportunity within the industry. This is why I’m thrilled to join Ralph and the team today to write the next great chapter in the history of the Ralph Lauren Corporation.