The Apple CEO believes Ahrendts is “the best person in the world for this role”

Oct 16, 2013 13:42 GMT  ·  By

Apple’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Cook, has sent a company-wide email regarding the company's recent hire in the retail department, Angela Ahrendts.

Currently the CEO of Burberry, Ahrendts will be joining Apple as a senior vice president and member of the Apple executive team, reporting directly to Tim Cook.

Cook will be tasking her with leading both the retail and online teams, according to the email leaked to 9to5mac.

“I have wanted one person to lead both of these teams for some time because I believe it will better serve our customers, but I had never met anyone whom I felt confident could lead both until I met Angela,” writes Cook.

The two CEOs first met in January of this year. In the meeting that took place then, Cook says he took an instant liking to Ahrendts’ mindset. He tells employees, “I knew in that meeting that I wanted her to join Apple.”

“We’ve gotten to know each other over the past several months and I’ve left each conversation even more impressed,” he adds.

Cook’s email further talks about Ahrendts’ core values, such as a focus on innovation, a strong emphasis on the customer experience, a care for enriching the lives of others, and also that the woman is “wicked smart.”

“Angela has shown herself to be an extraordinary leader throughout her career and has a proven track record. She led Burberry through a period of phenomenal growth with a focus on brand, culture, core values and the power of positive energy,” Cook also says.

The Apple CEO says Ahrendts will be joining the Cupertino company in spring of 2014. He extends a sincere thank you to all the retail managers whose “strength, talent and leadership afforded me the luxury of taking the time to perform an exhaustive search to find the best person in the world for this role.”