Vera Bradley adds former Tapestry exec to board

U.S. apparel and accessories firm Vera Bradley, Inc. announced on Friday the appointment of Ian Bickley to its board of directors, effective November 1.

A fashion veteran, Bickley previously served as a key leader at Tapestry, Inc., overseeing the U.S. luxury company’s global expansion and growing Coach’s international sales from less than $20 million to more than $2 billion. As president of the international group for Coach, and president of global business development for all Tapestry brands, Bickley built and revitalized the firm’s brands, developing omni-channel businesses, while managing and integrating a global multi-brand portfolio, according to a press release.

The executive currently serves as an independent director and member of the audit committee and corporate responsibility and sustainability committee on the board of directors at Crocs, Inc, and as an independent director on the board at Brilliant Earth, where he chairs the nominating and corporate governance committee and is a member of the audit committee. Previously, he served as an independent director on the board at Natura & Co., where he served on the strategy committee.

“We are pleased to welcome Ian to our board,” said Jacqueline Ardrey, president and CEO of Vera Bradley and an executive member of the company’s board.

“Ian’s deep, decades-long executive and public company leadership experience at global fashion lifestyle and luxury brands will be invaluable to Vera Bradley as we continue to execute our strategy to build long-term value for our shareholders.”

Vera Bradley, Inc. operates two lifestyle brands – Vera Bradley and Pura Vida. Founded in 1982 by Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, Vera Bradley is a designer of women’s handbags, luggage and other travel items, fashion and home accessories, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Based in La Jolla, California, ​Pura Vida is digitally native lifestyle brand with an expanding offering of bracelets, jewelry, and other lifestyle accessories.

“Ian’s appointment is another decisive step in Vera Bradley’s proactive and ongoing efforts to refresh the Board,” added Frances Philip, lead independent director of the Vera Bradley board and chair of its nominating and corporate governance committee.

“The breadth of brand transformation and business development expertise that Ian brings aligns with the qualities we have been searching for in a new independent Board member. We are thrilled to welcome Ian to our board of directors.”