New Albany, Ohio — Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has promoted veteran finance leader Robert Ball to chief financial officer. In his new role, which began on Nov. 20, Ball serves on the company’s executive leadership team and continues to report to Scott Lipesky, executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Ball, previously the company’s senior vice president of corporate finance, investor relations and treasury, brings nearly 22 years of experience leading key Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) finance and strategy functions to the role. Lipesky, who served as the company’s CFO since 2017, was promoted to COO in May 2023, and will remain in that role, leading the company’s global operations and growth strategies, while driving financial discipline, capital allocation and efficiency.
“With Scott’s promotion to COO, we had an opportunity to elevate a very talented leader in our finance organization, and I’m pleased to welcome Robert to his new role as CFO,” says CEO Fran Horowitz. “He has worked in close partnership with me and our entire executive leadership team to help architect A&F Co.’s transformation and successfully execute the turnaround of our brands and business. With his decades of experience at the company, Robert is uniquely qualified to have an immediate impact as he continues to help drive our strategies forward.”
Prior to being appointed CFO of the company, Ball held several finance leadership positions at A&F Co., including CFO of the Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids brands, in addition to roles in financial reporting, financial planning and analysis, and corporate finance. He also led the transformation management office. Before joining the company in 2003, Ball started his career as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch.
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is a global, digitally led, omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories catering to kids through millennials with assortments curated for their specific lifestyle needs. The company operates a family of brands, including Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates 750+ stores across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.abercrombie.com, www.abercrombiekids.com and www.hollisterco.com.
SOURCE: Abercrombie & Fitch Co.