Burberry has made its head of diversity redundant as part of an overhaul at the brand, reports The Telegraph.
The luxury fashion business has laid off global vice president of colleague attraction and inclusion Geoffrey Williams, and axed the role, said the report.
The executive said he had been “phased out”, under a business-wide cull, and that he had been let go during the summer.
The move comes as Burberry pushes ahead with its turnaround plans, which seeks to slash at least £60m of costs.
The group’s website claims that Burberry continues to have a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programme, which is focussed on “fostering an open and inclusive culture”. However, the brand has said it would be consolidating its diversity efforts this year.
In 2019, Burberry set up diversity and inclusivity initiatives, after a hoodie featuring a noose around the neck during London Fashion Week picked up bad press.
The hoodie was a part of former Burberry chief designer Riccardo Tisci’s Fall 2019 collection called “Tempest”.
Burberry has been approached for comment.
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