Jonathan Akeroyd

Jonathan Akeroyd was chief executive of Burberry from April 2022 to July 2024. After onboarding chief creative officer Daniel Lee, Akeroyd worked to revamp the brand's merchandising and hone a refreshed image focused on contemporary Britishness. 

Previously, Akeroyd was chief executive of Gianni Versace SpA from 2016 to 2022, where he helped prepare the company for a blockbuster sale to Michael Kors (now Capri Holdings) for approximately $2.12 billion.

Prior to Versace, Akeroyd served for 12 years as chief executive at Alexander McQueen, where he oversaw significant expansion, and steered the brand through the death of its founding designer.

Akeroyd’s career in retail began while working as a store manager at Harrods in London. Over the course of 15 years he steadily rose through the ranks, becoming merchandising director of the luxury department store before being approached by the Gucci Group to take the helm at Alexander McQueen in 2004. 

He successfully steered the brand’s growth and strategic development through one of its most turbulent periods. Having helped the brand to break even within the first three years of his appointment, Akeroyd has since overseen one of the brand's most profitable periods. These were driven by the launch of an accessories range, the McQ diffusion line and in 2010, the successful appointment of Sarah Burton as creative director, following the death of Alexander McQueen.  

In 2013, Akeroyd announced the brand’s strategic partnership with P&G Prestige to develop fragrances under the Alexander McQueen label. Akeroyd also drove the brand’s extensive store expansion with new flagships launched in Beijing, Shanghai, San Francisco, Miami and Hong Kong since 2011. The first McQ store was also launched on London’s Dover Street in 2012, followed by a flagship menswear store on Saville Row.

In May 2016 he was tapped to succeed Gian Giacomo Ferraris as Gianni Versace SpA’s chief executive. Artistic director Donatella Versace said in a statement, "Jonathan brings a proven track record in building global brands, steering growth and driving strategic development... [his] industry expertise and vision will be key to advancing the next phase of Versace's development.

Akeroyd joined Burberry as its chief executive in April 2022 after previous Marco Gobbetti departed for Salvatore Ferragamo.

In July 2024, Burberry announced that Akeroyd would step down from his position at the helm of the luxury brand.