Inditex appoints Marta Ortega as chairwoman, Oscar Garcia as CEO

Marta Ortega Pérez has worked in different areas of the Group for the last 15 years and, in particular, has led in the strengthening of Zara’s brand image and fashion proposition, an area she will continue to oversee. Under her leadership, campaigns have been developed with the most renowned creative people in the sector, such as Steven Meisel, Fabien Baron, Karl Templer and Luca Guadagnino, as well as the launch of new premium collections, including Zara SRPLS and Charlotte Gainsbourg by Zara.

Óscar García Maceiras joined the Group in March 2021 as general secretary and secretary of the Board. With extensive experience in corporate and team management, he has led transformation projects in his 20 years of professional activity both in the public sector, as a Spanish State Attorney, and in the private sector in companies such as Banco Pastor, Banco Popular, SAREB or Banco Santander.

“I would like to thank the Board, and especially Amancio Ortega, for the support and trust placed in me during all these years. Now we believe that the time has come to turn a new page, with Marta Ortega as chair and Óscar García Maceiras as chief executive officer, whose appointment was already foreseen since his incorporation into the company due to his abilities and qualities. Making this transition a reality is the culmination of my commitment to Inditex and to Amancio Ortega. I would also like to thank each and every one of the people who form part of Inditex for their work and dedication,” said Inditex executive chairman Pablo Isla.

"We are enormously grateful to Pablo Isla for his extraordinary work and dedication over the years. I would like to highlight his immense contribution, not only to our Group but also to the fashion industry in general. I have lived and breathed this company since my childhood, and I have learned from all the great professionals I have worked with over the last 15 years. I have always said that I would dedicate my life to building upon my parents’ legacy, looking to the future but learning from the past and serving the company, our shareholders and our customers where I’m most needed. I’m deeply honoured by the trust that has been placed in me, and enormously excited about the future that we are all about to embark upon together,” said Marta Ortega.

“I assume with great responsibility and enthusiasm the new functions entrusted to me, with the peace of mind of having a great team, full of youth, experience and talent in all the areas and countries in which we are present, of which the Management Committee we have established is a good example,” said Óscar García.

José Arnau Sierra remains as deputy chairman of the Board of Directors. With this, the Board of Directors completes the generational handover process initiated in 2011 with the replacement of Amancio Ortega as chairman of Inditex.

The Board of Directors thanked Pablo Isla for his leadership and vision during the 17 years he has led the company, firstly as deputy chairman and CEO since 2005 and, from 2011, as executive chairman. During this period, Inditex has become the leading company in its sector worldwide and a benchmark in sustainability and digital transformation. Isla will continue as executive chairman until March 31, Inditex said in a statement.

The Board of Directors also thanked Carlos Crespo, chief executive officer of the Group since July 2019, for his outstanding performance during this time. Carlos Crespo has been appointed chief operating officer (managing director of Operations, Sustainable and Digital Transformation) of Inditex, with the aim of continuing to promote these areas, areas which are of the utmost importance to the Group's strategy.

Javier Monteoliva, head of Legal of Inditex and deputy secretary of the Board of Directors until now, has been appointed general counsel and secretary of the Board.

The new organisational structure incorporates a Management Committee, made up of executives from different corporate and business areas and with a long track record in the Group.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)