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Signet Jewelers CEO Gina Drosos to Retire
The jewelry retailer has named her successor and also will expand the role of Chief Financial Officer Joan Hilson.
Signet Jewelers CEO Gina Drosos is set to retire next month.
Akron, Ohio—Signet Jewelers CEO Gina Drosos announced her retirement Tuesday morning, effective Nov. 4.
Drosos also will be leaving the jewelry retailer’s board of directors but will remain on as an advisor through the end of the company’s fiscal year, which will come to a close in early February.
“It has been a true honor to serve Signet for the past 12 years as a member of the board and the past seven as CEO,” Drosos said.
“With the ongoing successful execution of our ‘Inspiring Brilliance’ strategy and the path established for our next phase of growth, now is the right time for this planned leadership transition.”
Petsmart CEO J.K. Symancyk will take over as Signet CEO and join the company’s board.
He said, “I am honored to join Signet as its next CEO and continue advancing the strategy that Gina and the team have established.
“I am passionate about serving customers and I recognize the emotional connection of Signet’s customers when they are making a jewelry purchase. One of the key attributes that drew me to Signet is its purpose-driven and agile culture and focus on putting its team members and customers first.”
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Drosos also will be leaving the jewelry retailer’s board of directors but will remain on as an advisor through the end of the company’s fiscal year, which will come to a close in early February.
“It has been a true honor to serve Signet for the past 12 years as a member of the board and the past seven as CEO,” Drosos said.
“With the ongoing successful execution of our ‘Inspiring Brilliance’ strategy and the path established for our next phase of growth, now is the right time for this planned leadership transition.”
Petsmart CEO J.K. Symancyk will take over as Signet CEO and join the company’s board.
He said, “I am honored to join Signet as its next CEO and continue advancing the strategy that Gina and the team have established.
“I am passionate about serving customers and I recognize the emotional connection of Signet’s customers when they are making a jewelry purchase. One of the key attributes that drew me to Signet is its purpose-driven and agile culture and focus on putting its team members and customers first.”
Helen McCluskey, chair of Signet’s board of directors, said the leadership transition was the result of a “thoughtful, planned succession process by Gina and our board,” and welcomed Symancyk as the new CEO.
“He is a strong leader with more than three decades of experience across the retail industry and proven expertise in driving strategic growth, focusing on the customer, and developing and sustaining high- performing leadership teams that deliver results.”
“We are confident he is the ideal CEO to build on the team’s progress in establishing Signet as the growth and innovation leader of the jewelry industry.”
Symancyk has served as CEO of PetSmart since June 2018, as per his LinkedIn profile.
Prior to that, he was the president and CEO of Outdoor Sports from October 2015 to June 2018.
Symancyk also worked for supermarket chain Meijer for more than nine years, including as its president and chief operating officer.
Board Chair McCluskey also thanked Drosos for her leadership and contributions to the company.
She highlighted Drosos’ accomplishments, which included guiding the retailer through the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding its market share by nearly 50 percent, and bolstering its digital presence.
Drosos will be profiled in National Jeweler’s upcoming Retailer Hall of Fame issue.
Signet also announced it has expanded the responsibilities of Chief Financial, Strategy and Services Officer Joan Hilson, naming her chief financial and operating officer.
In her expanded role, Hilson will oversee the supply chain and the Blue Nile and James Allen banners, along with her current oversight of Rocksbox, finance, strategy, real estate, and the services business.
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