Zalando names new co-CEO as part of leadership shake-up

Co-founder David Schneider has handed over his co-chief executive role to David Schröder as part of the shake-up.

Schneider is expected to move into a management board role that is “fully dedicated” to building partner relationships across Zalando’s B2C and B2B areas of the business, as well as “further positioning” the Zalando brand.

The fashion giant said the move comes as strategic partnerships play a “crucial role” in the retailer’s new strategy, which it unveiled in March this year.

David Schröder, who is currently chief operating officer at Zalando, will focus on building Zalando’s B2B operating system after being promoted to co-chief executive, and developing the retailer’s “unique capabilities and infrastructure”.

Co-founder and fellow co-chief executive Robert Gentz will remain in his role and focus on expanding Zalando’s B2C growth to ensure the retailer is the “go-to” destination for fashion and lifestyle.

Schneider said: “One of Zalando’s strengths has always been to adapt our strategy and rotate the roles and responsibilities of its strong leadership team to make sure everyone complements each other and serves the ever-changing needs of customers and partners.

“We are thrilled that David Schröder, who has been an integral part of Zalando’s success story since the early days in 2010, will take on the co-CEO role to scale our B2B growth vector.

“On a personal note, I’m excited to focus even more on serving the needs of partners, lifting our deep partnerships across the industry to the next level.”

Zalando supervisory board chair Kelly Bennett added: “Fifteen years after Zalando was founded, new commercial opportunities are opening up as consumers and partners have new expectations and needs.

“The adjusted management board responsibilities will help this strong group of executives and Zalando’s first-class teams from around 140 countries execute the ecosystem strategy in the most impactful way and embrace the exciting opportunities ahead of them.” 

Completing the changes, chief people officer Astrid Arndt now has the “additional responsibility” of strengthening the retailer’s corporate functions, while chief financial officer Sandra Dembeck will help the strategy succeed with “prudent financial management”.