AUSTRALIA. In big breaking news, Heinemann Oceania has appointed Rosi Fernandez as its next Managing Director, following an extensive search, effective 15 June.
Fernandez enjoys a stellar reputation within the region, having joined Heinemann from Swiss beauty house La Prairie Group, whom she served with immense distinction for over 30 years, the past 16 and a half as Managing Director Australia and New Zealand.
Under her leadership, La Prairie rose to become Australia’s top premium skincare brand in distribution terms, Heinemann noted. Fernandez also pioneered new sales channels, including a partnership with Heinemann to launch Sydney Airport’s debut La Prairie spa, a global first.
Heinemann Oceania noted Fernandez’s strong track record for brand building, collaboration and sales growth at La Prairie, qualities the retailer deems critical at this stage of its continuing growth and evolution in the region.
“Rosi brings to Heinemann over 30 years of deep luxury retail experience and very impressive people leadership skills, making her the perfect candidate to execute on our vision for the business,” commented Heinemann Asia Pacific Chief Executive Officer Johannes Sammann.
“Rosi has an established, sterling reputation in the travel retail industry, reinforcing our confidence in her seamless transition into the Managing Director role, and her capability of bringing our business to the next level.”
Fernandez said, “I am thrilled to be joining Heinemann at this key juncture. I have known and worked with the Heinemann team in Oceania for the past decade they have been operating in the region and have long admired their spirit of collaboration and dedication to retail excellence.
“I am very proud to be stepping in to lead that same team now and I am grateful for their and the Heinemann regional management team’s trust in me.”
Once she begins her new position, Fernandez will be responsible for spearheading key strategic initiatives in the Oceania region, steering the direction of Heinemann’s airport locations in Sydney, Gold Coast and across the Tasman in Auckland, and continuing to hone the team’s operational capabilities to uplift sales and conversion rates.
Prior to La Prairie, Fernandez also held leadership roles at David Jones, Australia’s premier luxury department store.
She currently serves as Chair of the Cancer Patients Foundation board of Look Good Feel Better, an acclaimed organisation that helps patients in cancer treatment understand and address appearance changes through signature in-person and live viirtual workshops.
Fernandez is also on the Australian committee for Women in Travel Retail+. ✈
