Angela Ahrendts: Difference between revisions

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| known_for        = CEO of [[Burberry]] (2006–2014), Senior Vice President of Retail at [[Apple Inc.]] (2014–2019)
| known_for        = CEO of [[Burberry]] (2006–2014), Senior Vice President of Retail at [[Apple Inc.]] (2014–2019)
| education        = [[Ball State University]] (B.S.)
| education        = [[Ball State University]] (B.S.)
| awards          = Honorary [[Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (DBE)
| awards          = [[Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (DBE)
| title            = Lead Independent Director, [[Ralph Lauren Corporation]]
| website          =  
}}
}}


'''Dame Angela Jean Ahrendts''' [[Order of the British Empire|DBE]] (born June 12, 1960) is an American-British business executive who rose from a small town in Indiana to lead some of the most recognized brands in the world. She served as [[chief executive officer]] of British luxury fashion house [[Burberry]] from 2006 to 2014, a period during which the company underwent a significant digital and brand transformation. In 2014, she joined [[Apple Inc.]] as senior vice president of retail and online stores, becoming one of the highest-ranking women in the technology industry. She held that position until her departure in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts {{!}} BoF 500 {{!}} The People Shaping the Global Fashion Industry |url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/people/angela-ahrendts/ |publisher=The Business of Fashion |date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Her career has spanned the fashion, luxury goods, and technology sectors, and she has been recognized on numerous global power lists. She was ranked 25th on ''[[Forbes]]''{{'}} 2015 list of the most powerful women in the world, 29th on ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]''{{'}} 2014 list of the world's most powerful women in business, and 9th on the [[BBC Radio 4]] ''Woman's Hour'' Power List of the most powerful women in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |title=Power List 100 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007qlvb/features/power-list-100 |publisher=BBC |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The World's Most Powerful Women |url=https://www.forbes.com/power-women/list/2/#tab:overall |publisher=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts – Most Powerful Women |url=http://fortune.com/most-powerful-women/angela-ahrendts-29/ |publisher=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> In 2020, she became the chair of the board of [[Save the Children International]], and in 2025, she was appointed lead independent director of [[Ralph Lauren Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts is New Chair of the Board |url=https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/media-and-news/2020-press-releases/angela-ahrendts-new-board-chair-of-save-the-children-international |publisher=Save the Children US |date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ralph Lauren appoints Angela Ahrendts as lead independent director |url=https://www.theretailbulletin.com/fashion/ralph-lauren-appoints-angela-ahrendts-as-lead-independent-director-23-06-2025/ |work=Retail Bulletin |date=June 23, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
'''Dame Angela Jean Ahrendts''' [[Order of the British Empire|DBE]] (born June 12, 1960) is an American-British business executive whose career has spanned leadership roles across the fashion and technology industries. Born in the small town of [[New Palestine, Indiana]], Ahrendts rose from modest Midwestern origins to become one of the most prominent figures in global retail, serving as chief executive officer of British luxury house [[Burberry]] from 2006 to 2014 and then as senior vice president of retail at [[Apple Inc.]] from 2014 to 2019. At Burberry, she oversaw a period of significant brand transformation that elevated the company's digital presence and global reputation. Her subsequent move to Apple, where she was the highest-paid executive at the company, marked one of the most closely watched executive transitions between the luxury fashion and consumer technology sectors. Ahrendts was ranked 25th on ''[[Forbes]]''' 2015 list of the most powerful women in the world, 29th on ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'''s 2014 list of the most powerful women in business, and 9th on the [[BBC Radio 4]] ''Woman's Hour'' 100 Power List of the most powerful women in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |title=The World's Most Powerful Women |url=https://www.forbes.com/power-women/list/2/#tab:overall |publisher=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts – Most Powerful Women |url=http://fortune.com/most-powerful-women/angela-ahrendts-29/ |publisher=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Woman's Hour Power List 100 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007qlvb/features/power-list-100 |publisher=BBC Radio 4 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> In 2020, she became chair of the board of [[Save the Children|Save the Children International]], and in 2025 she was appointed lead independent director of [[Ralph Lauren Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts is New Chair of the Board |url=https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/media-and-news/2020-press-releases/angela-ahrendts-new-board-chair-of-save-the-children-international |publisher=Save the Children US |date=2020-11-17 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ralph Lauren appoints Angela Ahrendts as lead independent director |url=https://www.theretailbulletin.com/fashion/ralph-lauren-appoints-angela-ahrendts-as-lead-independent-director-23-06-2025/ |work=The Retail Bulletin |date=2025-06-23 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Angela Jean Ahrendts was born on June 12, 1960, in [[New Palestine, Indiana|New Palestine]], a small town in [[Indiana]], United States.<ref name="britannica">{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts {{!}} Biography, Burberry, Apple, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/money/Angela-Ahrendts |publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica |date=April 24, 2024 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> She grew up in a large family and developed an early interest in fashion and design. Her upbringing in a small Midwestern community later became a notable element of her public profile, as journalists frequently contrasted her origins with the global luxury and technology brands she would come to lead.<ref name="indystar">{{cite news |title=Angela Ahrendts, a shy girl from Indiana, lands executive post at Apple |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/life/2013/10/15/angela-ahrendts-a-shy-girl-from-indiana-lands-executive-post-at-apple/2988547/ |work=The Indianapolis Star |date=October 15, 2013 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Angela Jean Ahrendts was born on June 12, 1960, in [[New Palestine, Indiana]], a small town located east of [[Indianapolis]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Angela Ahrendts {{!}} Biography, Burberry, Apple, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/money/Angela-Ahrendts |work=Encyclopaedia Britannica Money |date=2024-04-24 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> She grew up in a large family in rural Indiana, an environment far removed from the world of luxury fashion and technology that would later define her career. According to a profile in ''[[The Indianapolis Star]]'', Ahrendts was described as a shy girl from Indiana who went on to achieve remarkable success in the corporate world.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angela Ahrendts, a shy girl from Indiana, lands executive post at Apple |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/life/2013/10/15/angela-ahrendts-a-shy-girl-from-indiana-lands-executive-post-at-apple/2988547/ |work=The Indianapolis Star |date=2013-10-15 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Ahrendts has described herself as having been shy during her youth, an attribute that she has discussed publicly in reflecting on her path to leadership in the corporate world.<ref name="indystar" /> Despite growing up far from the fashion capitals of the world, she developed a strong sense of ambition and an interest in the fashion industry from a young age. The values she absorbed in her Indiana upbringing—community, hard work, and authenticity—became themes she would return to throughout her career in interviews and public addresses.<ref name="wsj">{{cite news |title=Earning Her Stripes |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911195704/http://magazine.wsj.com/features/the-big-interview/earning-her-strips/ |work=The Wall Street Journal Magazine |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Her upbringing in a small Midwestern community shaped her values and work ethic. Despite growing up in an environment with limited exposure to the fashion industry, Ahrendts developed an early interest in style and design that would guide her career choices. Her trajectory from New Palestine to the upper echelons of global business has been frequently cited as an example of an unconventional path to fashion and technology leadership.<ref name="britannica">{{cite news |title=Angela Ahrendts {{!}} Biography, Burberry, Apple, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/money/Angela-Ahrendts |work=Encyclopaedia Britannica Money |date=2024-04-24 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Education ==
== Education ==


Ahrendts attended [[Ball State University]] in [[Muncie, Indiana]], where she studied merchandising and marketing. She earned a bachelor's degree from the institution.<ref name="britannica" /> Ball State University would later recognize her as one of its most prominent alumni. Her education in merchandising provided the foundation for her subsequent career in the fashion and retail industries.
Ahrendts attended [[Ball State University]] in [[Muncie, Indiana]], where she studied merchandising and marketing. She earned a bachelor's degree from the institution.<ref name="britannica" /> Ball State University, located approximately an hour's drive from her hometown, provided Ahrendts with a foundation in the business of fashion and consumer goods that would prove instrumental in her subsequent career. Her educational background in merchandising informed her understanding of both the creative and commercial dimensions of the fashion industry, a dual perspective that characterized her approach to leadership at major brands throughout her career.


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== Early Career in Fashion ===
=== Early Career in Fashion ===


After graduating from Ball State University, Ahrendts moved to New York City to pursue a career in the fashion industry. She held positions at several major American fashion companies. Her early career included roles at [[Warnaco Group|Warnaco]], where she gained experience in the apparel business. She later worked at [[Henri Bendel]] and [[Donna Karan International]], steadily advancing through the ranks of the American fashion industry.<ref name="britannica" /><ref name="wsj" />
After graduating from Ball State University, Ahrendts began her career in the fashion industry. She held positions at several prominent American fashion companies, gaining experience across different aspects of the business. According to ''Encyclopaedia Britannica'', she held high-level positions at a number of fashion companies before ascending to her most prominent roles.<ref name="britannica" /> Her early career provided her with deep expertise in brand management, merchandising, and the operational aspects of running fashion businesses, skills that would later prove central to her success at larger organizations.


Her experience at Donna Karan was particularly formative, as it exposed her to the challenges of managing a growing fashion brand. She also spent time at [[Liz Claiborne]], where she served in executive roles. These positions gave her broad experience across multiple segments of the fashion market, from luxury to mid-range apparel, and provided her with the operational expertise that would define her later leadership roles.<ref name="britannica" />
A profile in ''The Wall Street Journal'' detailed Ahrendts' rise through the fashion industry, highlighting her ability to combine commercial acumen with an understanding of brand identity and consumer desire.<ref>{{cite news |title=Earning Her Stripes |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911195704/http://magazine.wsj.com/features/the-big-interview/earning-her-strips/ |work=The Wall Street Journal Magazine |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== CEO of Burberry (2006–2014) ===
=== CEO of Burberry (2006–2014) ===


In 2006, Ahrendts was appointed chief executive officer of [[Burberry]], the British luxury fashion house known for its iconic check pattern and trench coats. At the time of her appointment, the brand faced challenges related to overexposure and brand dilution, as its signature check had become ubiquitous and, in certain markets, associated with counterfeiting and unfavorable cultural connotations.<ref name="wsj" />
In 2006, Ahrendts was appointed chief executive officer of [[Burberry]], the iconic British luxury fashion house. Her arrival at Burberry marked the beginning of a transformative era for the brand. When she took the helm, the company was in need of strategic repositioning to reclaim its luxury status and appeal to a new generation of consumers while respecting its heritage.


Ahrendts undertook a comprehensive strategy to reposition Burberry as a premier global luxury brand. Central to her approach was a focus on digital innovation, which set Burberry apart from many of its competitors in the luxury sector. Under her leadership, Burberry became one of the first major luxury brands to embrace social media and digital marketing aggressively. The company invested in live-streaming its fashion shows, engaged with consumers through platforms such as [[Twitter]] and [[Facebook]], and integrated digital technology into its retail stores.<ref name="bof">{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts |url=http://www.businessoffashion.com/angela-ahrendts |publisher=The Business of Fashion |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Under Ahrendts' leadership, Burberry underwent a significant digital transformation that became a case study in how a traditional luxury brand could embrace technology and social media. She championed the use of digital platforms, live-streaming fashion shows, and integrating online and offline retail experiences in ways that were considered innovative for the luxury sector at the time. The ''Business of Fashion'' identified Ahrendts as one of the people shaping the global fashion industry, noting her status as one of the world's most high-profile business executives.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angela Ahrendts {{!}} BoF 500 {{!}} The People Shaping the Global Fashion Industry |url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/people/angela-ahrendts/ |work=The Business of Fashion |date=2024-05-14 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Ahrendts also oversaw a significant rationalization of the brand's licensing arrangements, pulling back from third-party licenses that she believed were diluting Burberry's brand equity. She worked to centralize control over the brand's image and product offerings, ensuring a more consistent global presentation. This strategy included a focus on the company's heritage products, particularly the trench coat, which became a centerpiece of Burberry's marketing and retail strategy.<ref name="wsj" />
Her tenure at Burberry was characterized by a focus on unifying the brand's global image and operations. She worked to streamline the company's product lines, bring licensing agreements back under direct corporate control, and elevate the brand's positioning in the global luxury market. These efforts contributed to substantial growth in Burberry's revenue and market capitalization during her time as CEO.


During her tenure, Burberry's revenue and market capitalization grew substantially. The company's digital-first approach attracted considerable attention from business analysts and media, and Ahrendts was frequently cited as one of the most innovative executives in the luxury goods sector.<ref name="bof" /> Her work at Burberry earned her widespread recognition, including a profile in ''[[The Wall Street Journal]] Magazine'' and inclusion on multiple lists of the world's most powerful business leaders.<ref name="wsj" />
Ahrendts also placed emphasis on Burberry's British heritage, using it as a central pillar of the brand's marketing and identity strategy. Her approach combined respect for the company's more than 150-year history with a forward-looking digital strategy, a combination that attracted attention from both the fashion industry and the broader business community.


In recognition of her contributions to British business, Ahrendts was awarded an honorary [[Order of the British Empire|Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (DBE) in 2014. As an American citizen, she received the honor in an honorary capacity.<ref>{{cite web |title=2013 Honorary Awards |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/254608/2013_Honorary_Awards_-_October_update.pdf |publisher=UK Government |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Her work at Burberry earned her recognition from the British government. In 2013, she was made an Honorary [[Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (DBE) for services to British business.<ref>{{cite web |title=2013 Honorary Awards |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/254608/2013_Honorary_Awards_-_October_update.pdf |publisher=UK Government |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> This honor, typically reserved for British subjects, was conferred on Ahrendts as an American citizen in recognition of her contributions to the British economy and the global standing of a British brand.


She also served as a member of the United Kingdom [[Prime Minister]]'s business advisory group, which was established to provide counsel on economic policy. The group was reshuffled in 2012 under Prime Minister [[David Cameron]].<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |title=Cameron reshuffles business advisory group |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/dec/12/cameron-reshuffles-business-advisory-group |work=The Guardian |date=December 12, 2012 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The advisory group was ultimately disbanded in 2016 under Prime Minister [[Theresa May]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Theresa May tells big business advisers: no more advice please |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/sep/22/theresa-may-tells-big-business-advisers-no-more-advice-please |work=The Guardian |date=September 22, 2016 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Business Advisory Group |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/business-advisory-group |publisher=UK Government |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
During her time leading Burberry, Ahrendts also served on the UK Prime Minister's Business Advisory Group. She was appointed to the council under Prime Minister [[David Cameron]], who reshuffled the advisory group in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cameron reshuffles business advisory group |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/dec/12/cameron-reshuffles-business-advisory-group |work=The Guardian |date=2012-12-12 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Business Advisory Group |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/business-advisory-group |publisher=UK Government |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The advisory council was later disbanded in 2016 under Prime Minister [[Theresa May]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Theresa May tells big business advisers: no more advice, please |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/sep/22/theresa-may-tells-big-business-advisers-no-more-advice-please |work=The Guardian |date=2016-09-22 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
A 2025 retrospective by ''Modaes'' described Ahrendts as Burberry's "magician," crediting her with working a transformative effect on the British brand during her eight-year tenure as CEO.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angela Ahrendts, Burberry's 'magician' to polish Ralph Lauren |url=https://www.modaes.com/global/back-stage/angela-ahrendts-burberrys-magician-to-polish-ralph-lauren |work=Modaes |date=2025-06-02 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== Senior Vice President of Retail at Apple (2014–2019) ===
=== Senior Vice President of Retail at Apple (2014–2019) ===


On October 14, 2013, [[Apple Inc.]] announced that Ahrendts would join the company as senior vice president of retail and online stores, succeeding [[John Browett]] and reporting directly to CEO [[Tim Cook]]. The announcement attracted significant media attention, both because of her prominence in the luxury fashion world and because of the salary package she was offered, which made her one of the highest-paid executives at Apple.<ref>{{cite web |title=Apple Hires Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts to Head Its Retail Efforts |url=http://allthingsd.com/20131014/apple-hires-burberry-ceo-angela-ahrendts-to-head-its-retail-efforts/ |publisher=AllThingsD |date=October 14, 2013 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Apple Inc. DEF 14A |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/320193/000119312515017607/d774604ddef14a.htm |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
On October 14, 2013, [[Apple Inc.]] announced that it had hired Ahrendts to lead its retail operations, a move that drew significant attention from both the fashion and technology sectors.<ref>{{cite news |title=Apple Hires Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts to Head Its Retail Efforts |url=http://allthingsd.com/20131014/apple-hires-burberry-ceo-angela-ahrendts-to-head-its-retail-efforts/ |work=AllThingsD |date=2013-10-14 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> She formally joined Apple in 2014 with the title of senior vice president of retail and online stores, reporting directly to CEO [[Tim Cook]]. The appointment was notable both for the cross-industry nature of the hire and for the level at which Ahrendts entered the company—she became one of the most senior executives at the world's most valuable technology company.


Ahrendts officially joined Apple in May 2014. In her role, she oversaw Apple's global retail operations, which at the time comprised more than 450 stores worldwide, as well as the company's online sales channel. Her mandate included reimagining the Apple retail experience and integrating the physical and digital aspects of Apple's consumer-facing operations.<ref name="bof" />
At Apple, Ahrendts was responsible for the company's retail strategy, overseeing its global network of retail stores as well as its online sales operations. According to Apple's SEC filings, her role encompassed the strategic direction of Apple's physical retail presence and the integration of its online and offline customer experiences.<ref>{{cite web |title=Apple Inc. DEF 14A Proxy Statement |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/320193/000119312515017607/d774604ddef14a.htm |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Under Ahrendts' leadership, Apple undertook a significant redesign of its retail strategy. She introduced the concept of "Town Squares," reimagining Apple Stores as community gathering spaces rather than traditional retail locations. This vision included architectural redesigns of flagship stores, the introduction of "Today at Apple" educational sessions and creative workshops, and the renaming of store employees with titles intended to reflect their roles as community members rather than salespeople.<ref>{{cite news |title=Retail is broken. Apple's Angela Ahrendts has a plan |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/angela-ahrendts-apple-retail-strategy |work=Vogue |date=January 28, 2019 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
During her tenure, Ahrendts oversaw a number of significant changes to Apple's retail operations. She introduced the concept of "Today at Apple," a series of in-store educational sessions, creative workshops, and community events designed to transform Apple Stores from simple points of sale into community gathering spaces. This initiative reflected her belief that the future of retail lay in creating experiential environments rather than transactional ones.


One of the most prominent projects during her tenure was the renovation and reopening of the historic [[Carnegie Library (Washington, D.C.)|Carnegie Library]] in Washington, D.C., as an Apple Store. The project was emblematic of her broader strategy of positioning Apple retail locations within culturally significant buildings and spaces, blurring the line between retail, education, and community engagement.<ref>{{cite news |title=Retail is broken. Apple's Angela Ahrendts has a plan |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/angela-ahrendts-apple-retail-strategy |work=Vogue |date=January 28, 2019 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Ahrendts also led the redesign and reimagining of several flagship Apple Store locations. In a 2019 interview with ''Vogue Business'', conducted as Apple prepared to unveil a new flagship store at the historic [[Carnegie Library (Washington, D.C.)|Carnegie Library]] in Washington, D.C., Ahrendts outlined her vision for Apple's retail future. The article described her approach to addressing what she characterized as a fundamentally broken retail model, emphasizing community, experience, and human connection over traditional sales metrics.<ref>{{cite news |title=Retail is broken. Apple's Angela Ahrendts has a plan |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/angela-ahrendts-apple-retail-strategy |work=Vogue |date=2019-01-28 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Ahrendts departed Apple in April 2019. Her tenure was assessed with mixed reviews by industry analysts. Some praised her for elevating the aesthetic and experiential quality of Apple's retail stores, while others noted that the "Town Square" concept had met with skepticism from some consumers and employees.<ref name="bof" />
Ahrendts' compensation at Apple made her one of the highest-paid executives in the technology industry. Her total compensation package, which included salary, bonuses, and stock awards, exceeded that of CEO Tim Cook in some years, a fact that drew considerable media attention.
 
She departed Apple in April 2019, announcing her decision to leave the company after five years in the role. Her departure prompted analysis of her legacy at Apple, with commentators noting both the ambitious scope of her vision for Apple Retail and the challenges inherent in transforming such a large-scale operation.


=== Post-Apple Career and Board Roles ===
=== Post-Apple Career and Board Roles ===


Following her departure from Apple, Ahrendts turned her attention to board service and philanthropic leadership. In November 2020, [[Save the Children International]] announced that Ahrendts had been appointed as the new chair of its board. She was described as the first independent chair from outside Save the Children to hold a seat on the SCI/SCA Board, bringing her corporate leadership experience to the global humanitarian organization.<ref>{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts is New Chair of the Board |url=https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/media-and-news/2020-press-releases/angela-ahrendts-new-board-chair-of-save-the-children-international |publisher=Save the Children US |date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Following her departure from Apple, Ahrendts moved into a portfolio of board and advisory positions. In November 2020, she was appointed chair of the board of [[Save the Children|Save the Children International]], becoming the first independent chair from outside the Save the Children movement to hold a seat on the SCI/SCA Board.<ref>{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts is New Chair of the Board |url=https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/media-and-news/2020-press-releases/angela-ahrendts-new-board-chair-of-save-the-children-international |publisher=Save the Children US |date=2020-11-17 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> This role represented a shift toward philanthropic and humanitarian engagement, reflecting her interest in leveraging her business experience for social impact.


Ahrendts had previously joined the board of [[Ralph Lauren Corporation]], and in June 2025, the company announced her appointment as its new lead independent director. The appointment was interpreted by industry observers as a signal of Ralph Lauren's intent to leverage Ahrendts' experience in luxury brand repositioning and digital transformation, drawing on the strategies she had employed at both Burberry and Apple.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ralph Lauren appoints Angela Ahrendts as lead independent director |url=https://www.theretailbulletin.com/fashion/ralph-lauren-appoints-angela-ahrendts-as-lead-independent-director-23-06-2025/ |work=Retail Bulletin |date=June 23, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ralph Lauren Taps Into Ahrendts' Burberry and Apple Legacy to Accelerate Brand Repositioning |url=https://www.modaes.com/global/companies/ralph-lauren-gives-ahrendts-more-power-to-drink-from-burberry-and-apple-in-its-transformation |work=Modaes |date=June 23, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Ahrendts also joined the board of directors of [[Ralph Lauren Corporation]]. In June 2025, the company announced her appointment as lead independent director, an elevated governance role reflecting the board's confidence in her strategic expertise.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ralph Lauren appoints Angela Ahrendts as lead independent director |url=https://www.theretailbulletin.com/fashion/ralph-lauren-appoints-angela-ahrendts-as-lead-independent-director-23-06-2025/ |work=The Retail Bulletin |date=2025-06-23 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Reporting on the appointment, ''Modaes'' noted that Ralph Lauren was seeking to draw on Ahrendts' experience at both Burberry and Apple as the company pursued its own brand repositioning and transformation strategy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ralph Lauren Taps Into Ahrendts' Burberry and Apple Legacy to Accelerate Brand Repositioning |url=https://www.modaes.com/global/companies/ralph-lauren-gives-ahrendts-more-power-to-drink-from-burberry-and-apple-in-its-transformation |work=Modaes |date=2025-06-23 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Her appointment at Ralph Lauren placed her at the center of a broader trend of fashion companies seeking leadership with cross-industry experience. ''Modaes'' described her as "Burberry's 'magician'" and noted that her appointment reflected Ralph Lauren's desire to draw on her track record of brand transformation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angela Ahrendts, Burberry's 'magician' to polish Ralph Lauren |url=https://www.modaes.com/global/back-stage/angela-ahrendts-burberrys-magician-to-polish-ralph-lauren |work=Modaes |date=June 2, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
A 2025 [[Reuters]] article examining the trend of executive moves between industries cited the broader pattern of which Ahrendts' career was an early and prominent example—business leaders crossing from fashion and luxury into technology, and vice versa.<ref>{{cite news |title=CEO moves between industries |url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/ceo-moves-between-industries-2025-06-16/ |work=Reuters |date=2025-06-16 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Ahrendts holds both American and British citizenship. She is married to Gregg Couch.<ref name="indystar" /> The couple has children. Ahrendts has spoken publicly about the challenge of balancing a demanding executive career with family life, particularly during her years leading Burberry from London while maintaining ties to the United States.
Ahrendts holds both American and British connections, having lived in the United Kingdom during her years leading Burberry. She was born and raised in [[New Palestine, Indiana]], and has maintained ties to her Midwestern roots throughout her career.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angela Ahrendts, a shy girl from Indiana, lands executive post at Apple |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/life/2013/10/15/angela-ahrendts-a-shy-girl-from-indiana-lands-executive-post-at-apple/2988547/ |work=The Indianapolis Star |date=2013-10-15 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


She has been involved in philanthropic activities, most notably through her role as chair of the board of Save the Children International. Her interest in humanitarian causes, particularly those related to children's welfare and education, has been a recurring theme in her post-corporate career.<ref>{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts is New Chair of the Board |url=https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/media-and-news/2020-press-releases/angela-ahrendts-new-board-chair-of-save-the-children-international |publisher=Save the Children US |date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Her honorary DBE from the British government, conferred in 2013, recognizes her contributions to British business during her tenure at Burberry. As an American citizen, she received the honor in an honorary capacity; the title of Dame is conventionally used only by British subjects, though Ahrendts is often referred to as "Dame Angela Ahrendts" in professional contexts.<ref>{{cite web |title=2013 Honorary Awards |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/254608/2013_Honorary_Awards_-_October_update.pdf |publisher=UK Government |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
Ahrendts has also been featured by [[Makers (media)|MAKERS]], a media platform documenting women's stories and achievements.<ref>{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts |url=http://www.makers.com/angela-ahrendts |publisher=MAKERS |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Throughout her career, Ahrendts has received numerous accolades and appeared on several prominent lists recognizing business leadership:
Throughout her career, Ahrendts has received numerous accolades and distinctions recognizing her influence in business. Among the most notable:


* '''Honorary [[Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (DBE)''': Awarded in recognition of her services to British business, particularly during her tenure as CEO of Burberry. As an American citizen, the honor was granted in an honorary capacity.<ref>{{cite web |title=2013 Honorary Awards |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/254608/2013_Honorary_Awards_-_October_update.pdf |publisher=UK Government |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
* '''Forbes Most Powerful Women''': Ranked 25th on ''Forbes''' 2015 list of the world's most powerful women.<ref>{{cite web |title=The World's Most Powerful Women |url=https://www.forbes.com/power-women/list/2/#tab:overall |publisher=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
* '''Forbes Most Powerful Women''': Ranked 25th on ''Forbes''{{'}} 2015 list of the world's most powerful women.<ref>{{cite web |title=The World's Most Powerful Women |url=https://www.forbes.com/power-women/list/2/#tab:overall |publisher=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
* '''Fortune Most Powerful Women in Business''': Ranked 29th on ''Fortune'''s 2014 list of the most powerful women in business.<ref>{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts – Most Powerful Women |url=http://fortune.com/most-powerful-women/angela-ahrendts-29/ |publisher=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
* '''Fortune Most Powerful Women in Business''': Ranked 29th on ''Fortune''{{'}} 2014 list of the most powerful women in business globally.<ref>{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts – Most Powerful Women |url=http://fortune.com/most-powerful-women/angela-ahrendts-29/ |publisher=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
* '''BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour Power List''': Ranked 9th most powerful woman in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |title=Woman's Hour Power List 100 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007qlvb/features/power-list-100 |publisher=BBC Radio 4 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
* '''BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour Power List''': Ranked 9th most powerful woman in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |title=Power List 100 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007qlvb/features/power-list-100 |publisher=BBC |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
* '''Honorary Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)''': Conferred in 2013 for services to British business.<ref>{{cite web |title=2013 Honorary Awards |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/254608/2013_Honorary_Awards_-_October_update.pdf |publisher=UK Government |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
* '''St George's Society of New York''': Ahrendts was recognized by the organization.<ref>{{cite web |title=St George's Society Annual Report |url=http://www.stgeorgessociety.org/doc/aboutus/St-George-Book-2012.pdf |publisher=St George's Society of New York |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
* '''BoF 500''': Named to the ''Business of Fashion'' 500 list of people shaping the global fashion industry.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angela Ahrendts {{!}} BoF 500 {{!}} The People Shaping the Global Fashion Industry |url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/people/angela-ahrendts/ |work=The Business of Fashion |date=2024-05-14 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
* '''BoF 500''': Included in ''The Business of Fashion''{{'}} BoF 500, a professional index of the people shaping the global fashion industry.<ref>{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts {{!}} BoF 500 |url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/people/angela-ahrendts/ |publisher=The Business of Fashion |date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
* '''Fast Company''': Recognized by ''Fast Company'' as a notable business leader.<ref>{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/person/angela-ahrendts |publisher=Fast Company |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
* '''Fast Company''': Recognized by ''Fast Company'' magazine for her leadership and innovation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/person/angela-ahrendts |publisher=Fast Company |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
* '''UK Prime Minister's Business Advisory Group''': Served as a member under Prime Minister David Cameron until the group was disbanded in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Business Advisory Group |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/business-advisory-group |publisher=UK Government |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
* '''UK Prime Minister's Business Advisory Group''': Served as a member of the business advisory council under Prime Minister David Cameron until the group was disbanded in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Business Advisory Group |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/business-advisory-group |publisher=UK Government |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Ahrendts has also been recognized by ''[[Women's Wear Daily]]'' for her contributions to the fashion industry.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ahrendts Accolade |url=http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/ahrendts-accolade-7633326?src=nl/mornReport/20140408 |work=Women's Wear Daily |date=April 8, 2014 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
She was also recognized by ''[[Women's Wear Daily]]'' for her contributions to the fashion industry.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ahrendts Accolade |url=http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/ahrendts-accolade-7633326?src=nl/mornReport/20140408 |work=Women's Wear Daily |date=2014-04-08 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Angela Ahrendts' career has been defined by her ability to move between the fashion and technology industries, applying lessons from one sector to the other. Her tenure at Burberry is frequently cited as a case study in how a heritage luxury brand can be revitalized through digital innovation and disciplined brand management. The strategies she employed—live-streaming fashion shows, centralizing brand control, and investing in digital engagement—became standard practices across the luxury industry in the years that followed.<ref name="bof" /><ref name="wsj" />
Angela Ahrendts' career is notable for spanning two of the most significant industries of the early 21st century—luxury fashion and consumer technology—at the highest levels of executive leadership. Her tenure at Burberry is frequently cited as a defining example of how a heritage luxury brand can be revitalized through digital innovation while maintaining its core identity. The strategies she implemented there, including live-streaming runway shows, embracing social media as a brand-building tool, and integrating online and in-store experiences, influenced the broader luxury industry's approach to digital engagement.


At Apple, her attempt to transform retail stores into community-oriented "Town Squares" represented an ambitious reimagining of the role of physical retail in an increasingly digital marketplace. While the long-term impact of this approach continues to be debated, the "Today at Apple" programming she introduced has persisted as a feature of Apple's retail operations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Retail is broken. Apple's Angela Ahrendts has a plan |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/angela-ahrendts-apple-retail-strategy |work=Vogue |date=January 28, 2019 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Her move from Burberry to Apple in 2014 represented a notable moment in the convergence of fashion and technology. As one of the first major cross-industry executive hires of its kind, her transition demonstrated the growing recognition that retail leadership in the technology sector could benefit from the brand-building and experiential expertise cultivated in the luxury fashion world. Reuters noted in 2025 that the pattern of CEO moves between industries, of which Ahrendts' career was an early high-profile example, had become an established trend.<ref>{{cite news |title=CEO moves between industries |url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/ceo-moves-between-industries-2025-06-16/ |work=Reuters |date=2025-06-16 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Her career trajectory—from a small town in Indiana to the executive suites of some of the world's most valuable companies—has made her a frequently cited figure in discussions about women in corporate leadership. Her appointment as lead independent director at Ralph Lauren in 2025 demonstrated her continued influence in the fashion industry and signaled that her expertise in brand transformation remained in demand more than a decade after her initial rise to prominence at Burberry.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angela Ahrendts, Burberry's 'magician' to polish Ralph Lauren |url=https://www.modaes.com/global/back-stage/angela-ahrendts-burberrys-magician-to-polish-ralph-lauren |work=Modaes |date=June 2, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Her subsequent appointment as lead independent director of Ralph Lauren Corporation in 2025 further underscored the continued demand for her expertise in brand transformation and repositioning. ''Modaes'' reported that Ralph Lauren specifically sought to leverage Ahrendts' combined experience at Burberry and Apple as the American fashion company pursued its own strategic evolution.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ralph Lauren Taps Into Ahrendts' Burberry and Apple Legacy to Accelerate Brand Repositioning |url=https://www.modaes.com/global/companies/ralph-lauren-gives-ahrendts-more-power-to-drink-from-burberry-and-apple-in-its-transformation |work=Modaes |date=2025-06-23 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Her cross-sector career path has also been noted as part of a broader trend of executives moving between traditionally separate industries, with ''Reuters'' including her trajectory among examples of CEO moves between industries.<ref>{{cite news |title=CEO moves between industries |url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/ceo-moves-between-industries-2025-06-16/ |work=Reuters |date=June 16, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Beyond her corporate roles, Ahrendts' appointment as chair of Save the Children International in 2020 reflected a broadening of her leadership into the humanitarian sector, bringing corporate governance experience to one of the world's largest children's charities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Angela Ahrendts is New Chair of the Board |url=https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/media-and-news/2020-press-releases/angela-ahrendts-new-board-chair-of-save-the-children-international |publisher=Save the Children US |date=2020-11-17 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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Latest revision as of 06:05, 24 February 2026



Angela Ahrendts
BornAngela Jean Ahrendts
12 6, 1960
BirthplaceNew Palestine, Indiana, U.S.
NationalityAmerican, British
OccupationBusiness executive
Known forCEO of Burberry (2006–2014), Senior Vice President of Retail at Apple Inc. (2014–2019)
EducationBall State University (B.S.)
AwardsDame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

Dame Angela Jean Ahrendts DBE (born June 12, 1960) is an American-British business executive whose career has spanned leadership roles across the fashion and technology industries. Born in the small town of New Palestine, Indiana, Ahrendts rose from modest Midwestern origins to become one of the most prominent figures in global retail, serving as chief executive officer of British luxury house Burberry from 2006 to 2014 and then as senior vice president of retail at Apple Inc. from 2014 to 2019. At Burberry, she oversaw a period of significant brand transformation that elevated the company's digital presence and global reputation. Her subsequent move to Apple, where she was the highest-paid executive at the company, marked one of the most closely watched executive transitions between the luxury fashion and consumer technology sectors. Ahrendts was ranked 25th on Forbes 2015 list of the most powerful women in the world, 29th on Fortunes 2014 list of the most powerful women in business, and 9th on the BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour 100 Power List of the most powerful women in the United Kingdom.[1][2][3] In 2020, she became chair of the board of Save the Children International, and in 2025 she was appointed lead independent director of Ralph Lauren Corporation.[4][5]

Early Life

Angela Jean Ahrendts was born on June 12, 1960, in New Palestine, Indiana, a small town located east of Indianapolis.[6] She grew up in a large family in rural Indiana, an environment far removed from the world of luxury fashion and technology that would later define her career. According to a profile in The Indianapolis Star, Ahrendts was described as a shy girl from Indiana who went on to achieve remarkable success in the corporate world.[7]

Her upbringing in a small Midwestern community shaped her values and work ethic. Despite growing up in an environment with limited exposure to the fashion industry, Ahrendts developed an early interest in style and design that would guide her career choices. Her trajectory from New Palestine to the upper echelons of global business has been frequently cited as an example of an unconventional path to fashion and technology leadership.[8]

Education

Ahrendts attended Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, where she studied merchandising and marketing. She earned a bachelor's degree from the institution.[8] Ball State University, located approximately an hour's drive from her hometown, provided Ahrendts with a foundation in the business of fashion and consumer goods that would prove instrumental in her subsequent career. Her educational background in merchandising informed her understanding of both the creative and commercial dimensions of the fashion industry, a dual perspective that characterized her approach to leadership at major brands throughout her career.

Career

Early Career in Fashion

After graduating from Ball State University, Ahrendts began her career in the fashion industry. She held positions at several prominent American fashion companies, gaining experience across different aspects of the business. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, she held high-level positions at a number of fashion companies before ascending to her most prominent roles.[8] Her early career provided her with deep expertise in brand management, merchandising, and the operational aspects of running fashion businesses, skills that would later prove central to her success at larger organizations.

A profile in The Wall Street Journal detailed Ahrendts' rise through the fashion industry, highlighting her ability to combine commercial acumen with an understanding of brand identity and consumer desire.[9]

CEO of Burberry (2006–2014)

In 2006, Ahrendts was appointed chief executive officer of Burberry, the iconic British luxury fashion house. Her arrival at Burberry marked the beginning of a transformative era for the brand. When she took the helm, the company was in need of strategic repositioning to reclaim its luxury status and appeal to a new generation of consumers while respecting its heritage.

Under Ahrendts' leadership, Burberry underwent a significant digital transformation that became a case study in how a traditional luxury brand could embrace technology and social media. She championed the use of digital platforms, live-streaming fashion shows, and integrating online and offline retail experiences in ways that were considered innovative for the luxury sector at the time. The Business of Fashion identified Ahrendts as one of the people shaping the global fashion industry, noting her status as one of the world's most high-profile business executives.[10]

Her tenure at Burberry was characterized by a focus on unifying the brand's global image and operations. She worked to streamline the company's product lines, bring licensing agreements back under direct corporate control, and elevate the brand's positioning in the global luxury market. These efforts contributed to substantial growth in Burberry's revenue and market capitalization during her time as CEO.

Ahrendts also placed emphasis on Burberry's British heritage, using it as a central pillar of the brand's marketing and identity strategy. Her approach combined respect for the company's more than 150-year history with a forward-looking digital strategy, a combination that attracted attention from both the fashion industry and the broader business community.

Her work at Burberry earned her recognition from the British government. In 2013, she was made an Honorary Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to British business.[11] This honor, typically reserved for British subjects, was conferred on Ahrendts as an American citizen in recognition of her contributions to the British economy and the global standing of a British brand.

During her time leading Burberry, Ahrendts also served on the UK Prime Minister's Business Advisory Group. She was appointed to the council under Prime Minister David Cameron, who reshuffled the advisory group in 2012.[12][13] The advisory council was later disbanded in 2016 under Prime Minister Theresa May.[14]

A 2025 retrospective by Modaes described Ahrendts as Burberry's "magician," crediting her with working a transformative effect on the British brand during her eight-year tenure as CEO.[15]

Senior Vice President of Retail at Apple (2014–2019)

On October 14, 2013, Apple Inc. announced that it had hired Ahrendts to lead its retail operations, a move that drew significant attention from both the fashion and technology sectors.[16] She formally joined Apple in 2014 with the title of senior vice president of retail and online stores, reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook. The appointment was notable both for the cross-industry nature of the hire and for the level at which Ahrendts entered the company—she became one of the most senior executives at the world's most valuable technology company.

At Apple, Ahrendts was responsible for the company's retail strategy, overseeing its global network of retail stores as well as its online sales operations. According to Apple's SEC filings, her role encompassed the strategic direction of Apple's physical retail presence and the integration of its online and offline customer experiences.[17]

During her tenure, Ahrendts oversaw a number of significant changes to Apple's retail operations. She introduced the concept of "Today at Apple," a series of in-store educational sessions, creative workshops, and community events designed to transform Apple Stores from simple points of sale into community gathering spaces. This initiative reflected her belief that the future of retail lay in creating experiential environments rather than transactional ones.

Ahrendts also led the redesign and reimagining of several flagship Apple Store locations. In a 2019 interview with Vogue Business, conducted as Apple prepared to unveil a new flagship store at the historic Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C., Ahrendts outlined her vision for Apple's retail future. The article described her approach to addressing what she characterized as a fundamentally broken retail model, emphasizing community, experience, and human connection over traditional sales metrics.[18]

Ahrendts' compensation at Apple made her one of the highest-paid executives in the technology industry. Her total compensation package, which included salary, bonuses, and stock awards, exceeded that of CEO Tim Cook in some years, a fact that drew considerable media attention.

She departed Apple in April 2019, announcing her decision to leave the company after five years in the role. Her departure prompted analysis of her legacy at Apple, with commentators noting both the ambitious scope of her vision for Apple Retail and the challenges inherent in transforming such a large-scale operation.

Post-Apple Career and Board Roles

Following her departure from Apple, Ahrendts moved into a portfolio of board and advisory positions. In November 2020, she was appointed chair of the board of Save the Children International, becoming the first independent chair from outside the Save the Children movement to hold a seat on the SCI/SCA Board.[19] This role represented a shift toward philanthropic and humanitarian engagement, reflecting her interest in leveraging her business experience for social impact.

Ahrendts also joined the board of directors of Ralph Lauren Corporation. In June 2025, the company announced her appointment as lead independent director, an elevated governance role reflecting the board's confidence in her strategic expertise.[20] Reporting on the appointment, Modaes noted that Ralph Lauren was seeking to draw on Ahrendts' experience at both Burberry and Apple as the company pursued its own brand repositioning and transformation strategy.[21]

A 2025 Reuters article examining the trend of executive moves between industries cited the broader pattern of which Ahrendts' career was an early and prominent example—business leaders crossing from fashion and luxury into technology, and vice versa.[22]

Personal Life

Ahrendts holds both American and British connections, having lived in the United Kingdom during her years leading Burberry. She was born and raised in New Palestine, Indiana, and has maintained ties to her Midwestern roots throughout her career.[23]

Her honorary DBE from the British government, conferred in 2013, recognizes her contributions to British business during her tenure at Burberry. As an American citizen, she received the honor in an honorary capacity; the title of Dame is conventionally used only by British subjects, though Ahrendts is often referred to as "Dame Angela Ahrendts" in professional contexts.[24]

Recognition

Throughout her career, Ahrendts has received numerous accolades and distinctions recognizing her influence in business. Among the most notable:

  • Forbes Most Powerful Women': Ranked 25th on Forbes 2015 list of the world's most powerful women.[25]
  • Fortune Most Powerful Women in Business': Ranked 29th on Fortunes 2014 list of the most powerful women in business.[26]
  • BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour Power List: Ranked 9th most powerful woman in the United Kingdom.[27]
  • Honorary Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE): Conferred in 2013 for services to British business.[28]
  • BoF 500: Named to the Business of Fashion 500 list of people shaping the global fashion industry.[29]
  • Fast Company: Recognized by Fast Company as a notable business leader.[30]
  • UK Prime Minister's Business Advisory Group: Served as a member under Prime Minister David Cameron until the group was disbanded in 2016.[31]

She was also recognized by Women's Wear Daily for her contributions to the fashion industry.[32]

Legacy

Angela Ahrendts' career is notable for spanning two of the most significant industries of the early 21st century—luxury fashion and consumer technology—at the highest levels of executive leadership. Her tenure at Burberry is frequently cited as a defining example of how a heritage luxury brand can be revitalized through digital innovation while maintaining its core identity. The strategies she implemented there, including live-streaming runway shows, embracing social media as a brand-building tool, and integrating online and in-store experiences, influenced the broader luxury industry's approach to digital engagement.

Her move from Burberry to Apple in 2014 represented a notable moment in the convergence of fashion and technology. As one of the first major cross-industry executive hires of its kind, her transition demonstrated the growing recognition that retail leadership in the technology sector could benefit from the brand-building and experiential expertise cultivated in the luxury fashion world. Reuters noted in 2025 that the pattern of CEO moves between industries, of which Ahrendts' career was an early high-profile example, had become an established trend.[33]

Her subsequent appointment as lead independent director of Ralph Lauren Corporation in 2025 further underscored the continued demand for her expertise in brand transformation and repositioning. Modaes reported that Ralph Lauren specifically sought to leverage Ahrendts' combined experience at Burberry and Apple as the American fashion company pursued its own strategic evolution.[34]

Beyond her corporate roles, Ahrendts' appointment as chair of Save the Children International in 2020 reflected a broadening of her leadership into the humanitarian sector, bringing corporate governance experience to one of the world's largest children's charities.[35]

References

  1. ↑ "The World's Most Powerful Women".Forbes.https://www.forbes.com/power-women/list/2/#tab:overall.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ "Angela Ahrendts – Most Powerful Women".Fortune.http://fortune.com/most-powerful-women/angela-ahrendts-29/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Woman's Hour Power List 100".BBC Radio 4.http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007qlvb/features/power-list-100.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Angela Ahrendts is New Chair of the Board".Save the Children US.2020-11-17.https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/media-and-news/2020-press-releases/angela-ahrendts-new-board-chair-of-save-the-children-international.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Ralph Lauren appoints Angela Ahrendts as lead independent director".The Retail Bulletin.2025-06-23.https://www.theretailbulletin.com/fashion/ralph-lauren-appoints-angela-ahrendts-as-lead-independent-director-23-06-2025/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Angela Ahrendts | Biography, Burberry, Apple, & Facts".Encyclopaedia Britannica Money.2024-04-24.https://www.britannica.com/money/Angela-Ahrendts.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Angela Ahrendts, a shy girl from Indiana, lands executive post at Apple".The Indianapolis Star.2013-10-15.http://www.indystar.com/story/life/2013/10/15/angela-ahrendts-a-shy-girl-from-indiana-lands-executive-post-at-apple/2988547/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Angela Ahrendts | Biography, Burberry, Apple, & Facts".Encyclopaedia Britannica Money.2024-04-24.https://www.britannica.com/money/Angela-Ahrendts.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Earning Her Stripes".The Wall Street Journal Magazine.https://web.archive.org/web/20100911195704/http://magazine.wsj.com/features/the-big-interview/earning-her-strips/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Angela Ahrendts | BoF 500 | The People Shaping the Global Fashion Industry".The Business of Fashion.2024-05-14.https://www.businessoffashion.com/people/angela-ahrendts/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "2013 Honorary Awards".UK Government.https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/254608/2013_Honorary_Awards_-_October_update.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Cameron reshuffles business advisory group".The Guardian.2012-12-12.https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/dec/12/cameron-reshuffles-business-advisory-group.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Business Advisory Group".UK Government.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/business-advisory-group.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "Theresa May tells big business advisers: no more advice, please".The Guardian.2016-09-22.https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/sep/22/theresa-may-tells-big-business-advisers-no-more-advice-please.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Angela Ahrendts, Burberry's 'magician' to polish Ralph Lauren".Modaes.2025-06-02.https://www.modaes.com/global/back-stage/angela-ahrendts-burberrys-magician-to-polish-ralph-lauren.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Apple Hires Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts to Head Its Retail Efforts".AllThingsD.2013-10-14.http://allthingsd.com/20131014/apple-hires-burberry-ceo-angela-ahrendts-to-head-its-retail-efforts/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Apple Inc. DEF 14A Proxy Statement".U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/320193/000119312515017607/d774604ddef14a.htm.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Retail is broken. Apple's Angela Ahrendts has a plan".Vogue.2019-01-28.https://www.vogue.com/article/angela-ahrendts-apple-retail-strategy.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Angela Ahrendts is New Chair of the Board".Save the Children US.2020-11-17.https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/media-and-news/2020-press-releases/angela-ahrendts-new-board-chair-of-save-the-children-international.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Ralph Lauren appoints Angela Ahrendts as lead independent director".The Retail Bulletin.2025-06-23.https://www.theretailbulletin.com/fashion/ralph-lauren-appoints-angela-ahrendts-as-lead-independent-director-23-06-2025/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Ralph Lauren Taps Into Ahrendts' Burberry and Apple Legacy to Accelerate Brand Repositioning".Modaes.2025-06-23.https://www.modaes.com/global/companies/ralph-lauren-gives-ahrendts-more-power-to-drink-from-burberry-and-apple-in-its-transformation.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "CEO moves between industries".Reuters.2025-06-16.https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/ceo-moves-between-industries-2025-06-16/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Angela Ahrendts, a shy girl from Indiana, lands executive post at Apple".The Indianapolis Star.2013-10-15.http://www.indystar.com/story/life/2013/10/15/angela-ahrendts-a-shy-girl-from-indiana-lands-executive-post-at-apple/2988547/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "2013 Honorary Awards".UK Government.https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/254608/2013_Honorary_Awards_-_October_update.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "The World's Most Powerful Women".Forbes.https://www.forbes.com/power-women/list/2/#tab:overall.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "Angela Ahrendts – Most Powerful Women".Fortune.http://fortune.com/most-powerful-women/angela-ahrendts-29/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Woman's Hour Power List 100".BBC Radio 4.http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007qlvb/features/power-list-100.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  28. ↑ "2013 Honorary Awards".UK Government.https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/254608/2013_Honorary_Awards_-_October_update.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  29. ↑ "Angela Ahrendts | BoF 500 | The People Shaping the Global Fashion Industry".The Business of Fashion.2024-05-14.https://www.businessoffashion.com/people/angela-ahrendts/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  30. ↑ "Angela Ahrendts".Fast Company.http://www.fastcompany.com/person/angela-ahrendts.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  31. ↑ "Business Advisory Group".UK Government.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/business-advisory-group.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  32. ↑ "Ahrendts Accolade".Women's Wear Daily.2014-04-08.http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/ahrendts-accolade-7633326?src=nl/mornReport/20140408.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  33. ↑ "CEO moves between industries".Reuters.2025-06-16.https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/ceo-moves-between-industries-2025-06-16/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  34. ↑ "Ralph Lauren Taps Into Ahrendts' Burberry and Apple Legacy to Accelerate Brand Repositioning".Modaes.2025-06-23.https://www.modaes.com/global/companies/ralph-lauren-gives-ahrendts-more-power-to-drink-from-burberry-and-apple-in-its-transformation.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  35. ↑ "Angela Ahrendts is New Chair of the Board".Save the Children US.2020-11-17.https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/media-and-news/2020-press-releases/angela-ahrendts-new-board-chair-of-save-the-children-international.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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