HONG KONG, April 7 (Reuters) - Fashion retailer Esprit (0330.HK) announced on Tuesday 7 April the appointment of Ronald Van der Vis as executive director, effective June 22 this year.

Esprit Spring 2009

Van der Vis will also be appointed as group chief executive officer of the company effective on or before Nov 1, the company said in a statement.

Subject to Van der Vis's appointment as group CEO, Heinz Krogner "will step down from his position as group chief executive officer and stay on in his role as executive chairman to ensure a smooth transition".

For full statement, click: here

The company is scheduled to hold a news conference at 1030 GMT on Tuesday. (Reporting by Nerilyn Tenorio; Editing by Nick Macfie)