Ralph Lauren has appointed Patrick Chopin as managing director for the UK and Ireland, marking a significant leadership change for the brand. The appointment follows Chopin’s 16-year tenure at the company, during which he contributed to its growth across multiple regions.
- Chopin has a background in merchandising and planning, having worked extensively with Ralph Lauren in APAC and EMEA since 2008.
- He succeeds Aldo Fleri, who recently transitioned away from the company, and will commence his new role this month.
- Chopin made his announcement on LinkedIn, which was subsequently confirmed by Ralph Lauren.
- In parallel, Christopher Conrad has been named the digital and technology chief.
Ralph Lauren has announced the appointment of Patrick Chopin as the new managing director for the United Kingdom and Ireland. Chopin’s career has been deeply rooted in merchandising and planning, significantly contributing to Ralph Lauren’s operations in the Asia-Pacific and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions since 2008. His experience includes holding the position of senior vice president of multi-channel merchandising and operations international for the past five years.
Chopin steps into his new role, succeeding Aldo Fleri, who has departed from the company. His appointment was first shared via his LinkedIn post on 14 July, where he expressed his enthusiasm for taking on this new challenge. Ralph Lauren promptly confirmed his appointment in an official communication.
Prior to his extensive tenure at Ralph Lauren, Chopin gained valuable industry experience working with Foot Locker Europe and the womenswear retailer, Mexx. His expertise in planning and operations has been a key asset in his professional journey, providing him with insights into different market dynamics and consumer behaviours.
Alongside Chopin’s appointment, Ralph Lauren has also introduced Christopher Conrad as the spearhead for its digital and technology division. Conrad previously held the role of senior vice president and chief information officer at Levi Strauss & Co, bringing a wealth of knowledge in technology-driven strategies to Ralph Lauren.
This leadership change aligns with Ralph Lauren’s strategic decisions that have already seen positive results, with the company reporting a 3% increase in sales in 2024 due to its move upmarket and reducing promotions. Looking ahead, Ralph Lauren anticipates a further revenue growth of 2-3% by 2025 as these initiatives continue to unfold.
The appointments of Patrick Chopin and Christopher Conrad signify Ralph Lauren’s ongoing commitment to strengthen its leadership and adapt to evolving market demands.
