San Francisco — Gap Inc.’s board of directors has named Sonia Syngal, an accomplished retail leader and CEO of the portfolio’s Old Navy business since 2016, as the company’s next chief executive officer, effective March 23. She will also join the Gap Inc. board. Her top priority will be strengthening the performance of the portfolio.
“To lead the company into its next chapter, we sought a dynamic leader who could bring a deep respect for our customers and make the decisions necessary to deliver value from our portfolio of brands over the long term,” says Bob Fisher, interim Gap Inc. CEO and current chair of the board of directors. “Sonia has all of the characteristics and experiences needed to effectively execute against the work ahead. She is an excellent operator who drives innovation and decisive action, and she leads with both vision and heart.”
In other personnel news, board member Bobby Martin will take the role of executive chairman, effective March 23. Martin has extensive experience in the retail world, having served as president and CEO of Wal-Mart International, as a former director at Dillard’s Inc., and as a member of the Gap board since 2002.
The company also has elected two new members to serve on its board of directors, effective April 1.
Elizabeth Smith is the former CEO of Bloomin’ Brands, where she drove efforts to adapt to the changing consumer landscape by redefining convenience for the casual-dining segment. In addition to her work leading the Bloomin’ Brands portfolio, revitalizing the company’s core brands domestically and internationally, she also served in senior positions at Avon Products and with Kraft Foods. She currently serves as a director for Bloomin’ Brands and Hilton Worldwide, and previously served on the boards of Carter’s and Staples.
Amy Miles served as CEO of Regal Entertainment Group beginning in 2009, overseeing one of the world’s largest theater chains until 2018 when the company was acquired by Cineworld. While at the helm, Miles built a reputation as a strong operator and one of the most influential figures in entertainment, as she led the Regal team to compete and grow in an era where streaming entertainment services began disrupting the theater industry. Miles is also an experienced board member, currently serving on the boards of Norfolk Southern Corporation and ASM Global.
Syngal led Old Navy from $7 billion to $8 billion in sales in just 3 years, expanding its North American presence to more than 1,200 stores in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, scaling its e-commerce site to the Number 4 largest apparel site in the U.S. and building competitive omni-channel capabilities. Prior to that, she was executive vice president of global supply chain and product operations, responsible for managing Gap Inc.’s global supply chain and redefining a best-in-class product-to-market model for its portfolio of brands.
Since joining Gap Inc. in 2004, she has served in key leadership and general management roles including managing director for the company’s Europe business, senior vice president for Gap Inc.’s International division and International Outlet division.
Gap Inc. is a leading global retailer whose brands include Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta, Intermix, Janie and Jack, and Hill City. For more information, visit www.gapinc.com.
SOURCE: Gap Inc.