Silvana Bonello takes on the role of CEO at Oceansapart.
It was only announced on Wednesday that Bonello was giving up her position as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and leaving the British clothing retailer. It is now clear that she will change to the management of the Berlin activewear brand from the second half of 2023, Oceansapart announced on Thursday. She will lead the company as co-managing director with chief financial officer Henry Brodski, who has also been acting as interim CEO since last year.
Bonello has been with Superdry since 2021 and has played a key role in the company’s ongoing transformation strategy. Before that, she worked for the US sports goods company Nike in various positions for 18 years, most recently as Marketplace Operations Director. Before that, she was vice president of planning and operations for the European, Middle East and African markets at shoe brand Vans.
In her new role, she is expected to use her athleisure, consumer knowledge and operations experience to further develop the company and reach the next stage of its growth strategy, according to the announcement.
About Oceansapart
Oceansapart was founded in 2018 by Paul Engelmann. He withdrew from the operative business in January, but will remain with the brand in an advisory capacity and as a shareholder. In September 2021, Swedish private equity fund Altor invested in the brand, which also has stakes in knitwear brand Dale of Norway, winter sports specialist Rossignol and Swedish brand Toteme.
The brand is active through its own sales channels in Germany, France, Italy, Poland and Spain and opened its first pop-up space at fashion retailer Wöhrl in Nuremberg in March.