On Aug. 4—exactly one year to the day that she left Dodgeville, WI-based apparel cataloger Lands’ End–Mindy Meads will join Victoria’s Secret Direct as president/CEO. Meads, who became a vice president at Lands’ End in 1991 and was named president/CEO in February 2004, had been credited for revitalizing the Lands’ End brand before she and the company abruptly parted ways in summer 2005.
The appointment of Meads isn’t the only change in store for Victoria’s Secret: Columbus, OH-based parent company Limited Brands aims to capitalize on growth opportunities for its sexiest brand by reorganizing Victoria’s Secret as an integrated business structure with one operating model. The new Victoria’s Secret group includes Victoria’s Secret Stores, Victoria’s Secret Beauty, Victoria’s Secret Direct, Pink, Intimissimi, and Sexy Sport.
Sharen Jester Turney will lead the Victoria’s Secret group as president/CEO. Turney has been president/CEO of the Victoria’s Secret Direct catalog and e-commerce division since 2000. Jerry Stritzke, most recently CEO of Mast Industries, Limited Brands’ sourcing and production arm, has been named chief operating officer of Victoria’s Secret.
Joining Meads at Victoria’s Secret Direct is Rick Jackson, who will serve as chief operating officer of the direct unit. Jackson had been executive vice president of logistic operations for Limited Logistics Services. Christine Beauchamp is being promoted from president/general merchandise manager to president/CEO of Victoria’s Secret Beauty. Grace Nichols will remain CEO of Victoria’s Secret Stores through spring 2007, when she will transition to a new role with Limited Brands.
Limited Brands, which in addition to Victoria’s Secret operates Bath & Body Works, C.O. Bigelow, Express, Limited Stores, White Barn Candle Co., and Henri Bendel, also appointed Ken Stevens as executive vice president/chief financial officer, effective June 12. Stevens was most recently CEO of Express.