Apple names UK’s Dixons CEO John Browett as its Senior Vice President of Retail

Filling a void left last year by former Senior Vice President of Retail Ron Johnson, Apple just announced that John Browett is its new Senior Vice President of Retail.

CUPERTINO, California—January 30, 2012—Apple® today announced that John Browett will join the company as senior vice president of Retail, reporting to Apple CEO Tim Cook. Browett comes to Apple from European technology retailer Dixons Retail, where he has been CEO since 2007. Beginning in April, he will be responsible for Apple’s retail strategy and the continued expansion of Apple retail stores around the world.

“Our retail stores are all about customer service, and John shares that commitment like no one else we’ve met,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We are thrilled to have him join our team and bring his incredible retail experience to Apple.”

Prior to joining Dixons Retail, Browett held a series of executive positions at Tesco plc including CEO of Tesco.com. Earlier in his career he advised retail and consumer goods clients at Boston Consulting Group. He holds a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and an MBA from Wharton Business School.

Browett is leaving his job as CEO of Dixons, a major consumer electronics retail chain in Europe, to join the Apple executive team. Browett will lead all of Apple’s worldwide retail operations beginning in April. Peter Oppenheimer has been the Apple executive currently guiding the retail division since Ron Johnson’s departure, and he will likely continue to do so until Browett officially takes over in about two months.