// Matchesfashion appoints Ajay Kavan as its new CEO
// He is currently Amazon Vice President, International Special Projects
// Kavan replaces former CEO Ulric Jerome, who left in August last year, from March 19
Matchesfashion has raided Amazon’s senior ranks to appoint Ajay Kavan as its new chief executive.
Effective from March 19, Kavan will replace former boss Ulric Jerome who left Matchesfashion in August last year.
Kavan will also be moving from his current position as international special projects vice president at Amazon.
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He has been a vice president at Amazon for nine years, and led several initiatives to improve the retailer’s customer experience globally.
In addition to driving core Amazon businesses like UK and EU Consumables, Kavan led the development of several global strategic initiatives, launched businesses like Amazon Fresh in the EU and Japan, and built key strategic partnerships including with Morrisons in the UK.
Kavan, a graduate of Manchester Business School and Harvard Business School, has also been involved in retail for over 25 years and has helped build multichannel businesses in the UK and Asia.
“I am thrilled to be joining this very exciting and digitally innovative luxury lifestyle brand,” Kavan said.
“I am looking forward to working with the talented team at Matchesfashion to continue to improve the business for our global customers, to help scale the business and make Matchesfashion a place in which we all feel proud to work.”
In its financial year ending January 2018, Matchesfashion reported a 44 per cent surge in annual revenue £293 million, which was “driven by international expansion”.
Matchesfashion board member Gabriele Cipparrone said: “We are delighted to welcome Ajay to Matchesfashion as the new CEO.
“Ajay’s extensive experience in ecommerce will be of great benefit to the business as it continues to innovate and expand in the luxury ecommerce space.”
Kavan will be stepping into big shoes left behind by Jerome, who was chief executive for four years before he resigned.
Under Jerome’s tenure, the fashion retailer grew its ecommerce to account for 95 per cent of revenue.
Jerome also oversaw the investment of a 500,000sq ft distribution hub near Heathrow, to achieve its target of handling around four million shipments a year by 2020.
The retailer also invested in a 24,000sq ft hub and creative studio space in East London, separate from its headquarters in The Shard.
In 2017, co-founders Ruth and Tom Chapman sold a majority stake in Matchesfashon to private equity firm Apax Partners.
Tom Chapman remains on the board.
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