Rod Manley, Burberry’s Chief Marketing Officer, will vacate his position by the end of 2024.
- Manley joined Burberry in 2019, initially reporting to CEO Marco Gobbetti.
- During his tenure, Manley collaborated with influential creative figures like Riccardo Tisci and Daniel Lee.
- Manley’s departure aligns with Burberry’s recent financial downturn, marked by a 7% drop in sales over the past quarter.
- The search for Manley’s successor has commenced as Burberry navigates challenging market conditions.
Rod Manley, who has served as Burberry’s Chief Marketing Officer since January 2019, is set to leave the British luxury fashion house at the end of the year. Initially, Manley reported to then CEO Marco Gobbetti upon his appointment, and he currently reports to Jonathan Akeroyd, who took over in 2021.
Throughout his six-year tenure at Burberry, Manley worked first with creative director Riccardo Tisci for three years, before joining forces with British designer Daniel Lee, the current Chief Creative Officer. This collaboration underscored Manley’s role in maintaining Burberry’s creative momentum and strategic direction.
Manley’s impending departure comes amidst a period of financial struggle for Burberry. The company has recently experienced a notable decline, with sales dropping by 7% to £706 million in the 13 weeks leading up to 30 December compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. This financial setback has prompted Burberry to issue a warning that its full-year results will fall short of earlier forecasts.
In light of these challenges, Burberry has initiated the search for a new Chief Marketing Officer. The company faces the complex task of finding a successor who can navigate the evolving luxury fashion landscape while striving to revitalise Burberry’s market performance.
Rod Manley’s departure signifies a pivotal moment for Burberry as it seeks to overcome financial challenges and secure a new strategic direction.
