END has new CEO as Parker Gundersen takes the helm

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Jun 22, 2022

Luxury UK-based retailer END has named a new CEO as its founders move on from direct control of the business and it works on the “next phase” of its evolution.

Parker Gundersen succeeds founders Christiaan Ashworth and John Parker who “will remain in key positions on the board”.

Gundersen was formerly President of Retail Operations at LVMH’s travel retail subsidiary DFS Group, and had also been CEO of Asia-focused e-tailer Zalora.

He has over 20 years of multinational leadership experience spanning retail, luxury goods, e-commerce and strategy consulting.

The globally-focused luxury, streetwear and sportswear retail platform said the move follows last year’s majority investment in END by investment firm Carlyle.

Gundersen joins the board immediately and “will transition fully into the CEO role later in the summer”. Meanwhile, Ashworth will be nominated as Vice-Chairman and work closely with Chairman Patrizio di Marco, who joined the company in 2021. 

“Both Christiaan and John will play active roles on the board and support the team in realising key strategic growth initiatives”, we’re told. 

Ashworth and Parker hailed the new leader’s “unique background in international luxury retail as well as his expertise in both offline and online channels [that] makes him particularly well-suited for this position”.

They added: “He appreciates the unique relationships we have with our brand partners and community as well as the critical importance of service and experience across the customer journey to strengthen customer engagement. We’re very excited to have [him] joining the team.”

And they said of the evolution at the firm: “END has continued to advance its strategic growth plans since the investment by Carlyle. In the last year we have substantially increased our capabilities in digital and marketing, opened a new flagship store in Newcastle, built out our senior leadership team, launched our womenswear platform and continued to develop our unique relationship with brands and customers alike. 

“We feel the time is right to transition fully to the board and support the next generation of leaders in continuing to develop the END brand, curation, community and platform on a global stage.”