Ralph Lauren’s Chopin becomes firm’s UK & Ireland MD, Conrad to head digital/tech

Ralph Lauren has made two major appointments with Patrick Chopin becoming the luxury lifestyle/fashion brand’s new Managing Director for the UK and Ireland while Christopher Conrad has been chosen as its next Chief Digital and Technology Officer.

Chopin, who confirmed his appointment on LinkedIn, has been a long-standing executive of the retail giant. Working his way up from Senior Director of Planning in 2008, he became Senior Vice-President of Multi Channel Merchandising & Operations International in May 2019 before taking up his latest appointment.

Prior to Ralph Lauren, he held various roles at Foot Locker in Europe, including Director of Footwear and Apparel.

The UK is a key market for Ralph Lauren as can be seen from activities such as its ongoing Wimbledon sponsorship and its giant Bond Street flagship store. And in a YouGov report a few years ago Polo rap Lauren was named as the “UK’s most-recommended fashion brand” by research firm YouGov.

Conrad, meanwhile, joins Ralph Lauren after seven years at Levi Strauss & Co, where he most recently was Global CIO.

“Collaborating with Ralph Lauren’s incredible digital and technology teams, we’re poised for innovation and growth,” Conrad also said in a LinkedIn post. “Our mission: to scale the company to new heights while maintaining our legacy of excellence.”

Conrad succeeds Janet Sherlock, who led technology at Ralph Lauren since 2017. Under her leadership, the company improved and grew its digital presence and expanded the organisation’s use of artificial intelligence and generative AI across business functions.

In May, Ralph Lauren forecast annual revenue growth below market expectations despite beating quarterly results, as it grapples with subdued demand in the US.

Its fourth-quarter revenue of $1.57 billion edged past estimates of $1.56 billion, benefiting from robust demand in Europe and Asia, as well as a pullback in discounts due to leaner inventory.

At the time it also promoted Justin Picicci as its new chief financial officer, replacing Jane Nielsen, who will continue as Ralph’s operations head. Picicci, most recently served as Ralph Lauren’s Enterprise CFO.