Update: Apple has refreshed its Leadership webpage to reflect O’Brien’s new role in retail.
After 5 years leading Apple’s retail initiatives, Angela Ahrendts will be stepping down as Apple’s senior vice president of Retail in April, according to Apple. In her place, Deirdre O’Brien is taking on the role of SVP of Retail + People.
Following the departure of short-lived hire John Browett in 2012, Angela Ahrendts joined Apple in 2014 from fashion company Burberry and led a dramatic redesign of the company’s retail stores, which now number 506 across the globe. Beyond shaping Apple’s physical spaces, she also spearheaded Today at Apple, an initiative of free educational and creative sessions held at every store worldwide.
In April, Ahrendts will step down from her current role for “new personal and professional pursuits,” according to Apple. In her place, Apple executive Deirdre O’Brien will take on new responsibilities under the title “senior vice president of Retail + People,” and report to Tim Cook. O’Brien was promoted in 2017 to VP of People.
While managing Apple’s global retail initiatives, O’Brien will continue to lead Apple’s People team. Apple says this includes “overseeing all People-related functions, including talent development and Apple University, recruiting, employee relations and experience, business partnership, benefits, compensation, and inclusion and diversity.” Apple CEO Tim Cook commented on O’Brien’s new role:
A bittersweet set of announcements today. Angela, we thank you for all you’ve done to inspire and energize our teams. Deirdre, we can think of no one better to lead our stores and all of Apple’s people in their mission to change lives for the better. pic.twitter.com/PekF8rU9Qe
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) February 6, 2019
