Zara owner to appoint Carlos Crespo as new chief executive
Zara owner Inditex is to promote its chief operating officer Carlos Crespo to the role of group chief executive.
The appointment is being proposed by Inditex’s executive chairman Pablo Isla for approval by the board of directors. It will take effect following the group’s annual general meeting in July when Crespo will be appointed as a director. Inditex’s shareholders will also be asked to re-elect Isla as executive chairman at the meeting.
In a statement, Inditex said Crespo’s track record within the group made the promotion “the natural next step”.
In his new position, Crespo will report to Isla and be responsible for technology, IT security, logistics and transportation, construction and works, legal issues, procurement and sustainability. In addition, he will work with Isla to define the overall business strategy.
Commenting on his appointment, Crespo said: “I am very excited to play a role at this important time for the company in which digital transformation and sustainability in all its manifestations represent exciting challenges where innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and teamwork are prerequisites. Fortunately these are the hallmarks of our corporate culture.”
Crespo joined Inditex in 2001 as the head of accounting policies in the finance department then became internal audit director in 2005. He was appointed as chief operations officer in 2018.
