New appointments for C&A AG Board and C&A Europe Management Team strengthen diverse leadership progress
Nigyar Makhmudova appointed as Non-Executive Director for C&A AG Board
Fareen Abdullah to be Chief People & Culture Officer for C&A Europe as of 1 February 2023
Düsseldorf, 23. January 2023 – The C&A AG Board and C&A Europe are pleased to announce today the appointment of Nigyar Makhmudova as Non-Executive Director of the Board and Fareen Abdullah as the new Chief for People & Culture Officer for C&A Europe with the beginning of 1 February 2023.
With those key appointments for both the C&A AG Board and the Executive Management Team of C&A Europe, the company sets again an outstanding example on the role of female leadership and strengthens its global progress.
Allan Leighton, Chairman of the C&A AG Board, adds: “With Nigyar Makhmudova, we won a hugely experienced leader as Non-Executive Director for the C&A AG Board.” Leighton continues: “Nigyar Makhmudova is an accomplished Global CEO and transformational leader with more than 30 years of professional experience, more than 20 of those across developed and emerging markets within Mars Incorporated. In her latest executive role, Nigyar served as Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer of Danone SA, a company with more than 100,000 employees, a presence in over 120 markets, and €26+ billion in sales.”
Nigyar Makhmudova holds an MSc in Biochemistry and a Diploma in Management from Nottingham Business School. Since 2019 Nigyar has served as non-executive Board Director of Jungunzblauer AG – a privately-owned leading global manufacturer of natural biodegradable food ingredients. She further is a member of the European Advisory Board of Ehrenberg-Bass Institute of Marketing Science, as well as of the European advisory board of Leading Executives Advancing Diversity (LEAD) Network.
Fareen Abdullah will take on the role of Chief People & Culture Officer at C&A Europe, beginning 1 February 2023. As a new member of the European Management Team, Fareen’s mission will be to further improve the operational HR standards and drive the ongoing change process forward, including the organisation’s new people centric strategy.
Giny Boer, CEO of C&A Europe says: “Fareen Abdullah is a proven international HR leader with extensive years of experience across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. She has in-depth knowledge of the retail business and has also managed a multi-country business first-hand as a General Manager.”
In her most recent role, Fareen Abdullah was Vice President, HR for the region Latin America of the sporting goods company adidas.
With the ONE C&A-plan in place, the company is in an intensive process of implementing new strategic priorities and driving sustainable growth in the markets. Giny Boer, CEO of C&A Europe, concludes: “I am convinced that with Nigyar and Fareen we have been able to attract two highly skilled, passionate, and innovative leaders to our team – a perfect match.”
Notes to the editor
As of 23. January 2023, the new C&A AG Board will comprise:
Allan Leighton, Chairman, Chair of the Nominations Committee
Alexander Birken, Non-Executive Director, Chair of the Remuneration Committee
Maëlys Castella, Non-Executive Director, Chair of the Audit Committee
Diane de Saint Victor, Non-Executive Director
Nigyar Makhmudova, Non-Executive Director
About C&A Europe
With over 1,300 stores in 17 European countries and more than 25,000 employees, C&A is one of Europe’s leading fashion retailers. Every day, C&A welcomes millions of visitors to its stores in Europe and to its online shop. C&A offers quality and long-lasting fashion at affordable prices for all.
Press contact
C&A Europe I Wanheimer Straße 70 I 40468 Düsseldorf I Betty Kieß I Chief Communications Officer, C&A Europe press@canda.com