GFG Group appoints CEO

Online fashion destination Global Fashion Group (GFG) has appointed co-CEOs, who will take up their roles on February 1.

Patrick Schmidt and Christoph Barchewitz will be responsible for the overall strategic and working development of GFG, working with the management teams of GFG’s fully owned regional businesses Dafiti (Latin America), Lamoda (Russia/CIS), Zalora (Southeast Asia) and The Iconic (Australia/New Zealand), as well as minority-owned Namshi (Middle East).

“Patrick and Christoph are the perfect fit for the next chapter of GFG,” says chairman Cynthia Gordon. “Patrick has built The Iconic into the market leader in its region, increasing revenue by eight times in four years.

“Christoph has established a broad understanding of all five regional businesses through his role on the board of GFG since 2015. He was responsible for key strategic alliances such as the Ayala/Zalora joint venture in the Philippines and the Emaar Malls/Namshi partnership in the Middle East.”

Schmidt says that when he joined The Iconic four and a half years ago, he saw a company with unlimited growth potential. He will continue as CEO of The Iconic until a successor is named. Before The Iconic, Schmidt founded Groupon Australia and later oversaw its Latin American business.

Barchewitz joined GFG from Kinnevik, where he oversaw the e-commerce investment portfolio. He led the creation of GFG in 2014 and has served on its board since 2015. P

Meanwhile, Kinnevik CEO Georgi Ganev will join the GFG board while Romain Voog steps down as CEO after nearly three years.