Former Chief Operating Officer (COO) of luxury fashion e-commerce company Farfetch, Andrew Robb, is reportedly being considered as a potential candidate for the CEO position at online retail giant ASOS. Recent rumors have circulated regarding Robb’s candidacy for a major leadership role in the global fashion industry, and Sky News has now revealed that ASOS has shortlisted him as a potential replacement for former CEO Nick Beighton. However, neither Robb nor ASOS have officially commented on the matter.
Robb served a decade-long tenure at Farfetch, during which he played a crucial role in establishing the company as a prominent name in the luxury fashion e-commerce sector. Prior to his time at Farfetch, Robb founded and managed Cocosa. Currently, he is serving as an advisor to Felix Capital, focusing on their investments.
While both Farfetch and ASOS are pioneers in the online fashion retail space, they differ significantly in their target markets. Taking on the role of CEO at ASOS would require Robb to transition from the luxury market to the mass market. Unlike Farfetch, ASOS has a long-standing history of profitability. However, concerns among investors about the company’s future growth have led to a recent decline in its share price. ASOS has also faced various logistical challenges, including issues commonly encountered by other fashion companies, as well as some self-inflicted obstacles.
Although Robb possesses extensive knowledge of online fashion retail, he has not yet held a top executive position at a publicly listed company. This lack of experience may work against him as ASOS plans to transition from the AIM listing to the Main market of the London Stock Exchange in the near future. Consequently, any new CEO will face heightened scrutiny. The identities of the other contenders for the position remain unknown, and insiders suggest that the final decision may not be revealed until ASOS announces its results in April.
Useful links:
– To learn more about Farfetch and its role in the luxury fashion e-commerce industry, click here.
– To explore ASOS and its position in the online fashion retail space, visit their website here.
