Gap CEO Continues to Consolidate His Control

Glenn Murphy the recently appointed CEO of clothing retailer, The Gap continues to make his own stamp on the firm. Earlier today, it was announced the president of its Old Navy brand, Dawn Robertson, who had only been with the firm since 2006 would be leaving immediately. The company also announced that Tom Wyatt, president of Gap Inc.’s Outlet division, would become acting president of Old Navy while a search is conducted for a permanent replacement.

Old Navy whose brand had become stale had already begun to make great strides at changing its image with the public. Under Dawn's leadership Old Navy recently began a new logo and was about to launch a whole new line. According to a piece by Amy Merrick in the Wall Street Journal ,

Gap described the immediate departure of Ms. Robertson, 52 years old, as a mutual decision between her and the retailer.

"It became clear to Glenn and Dawn that a leadership change was necessary at the brand," said Stacy MacLean, a company spokeswoman. She said Ms. Robertson and Gap executives were unavailable to comment.

A longtime department-store executive who had been managing director of the Australian chain Myer, Ms. Robertson had been described by some as being an uneasy fit at Gap's San Francisco headquarters. She arrived at Gap less than 16 months ago, hired by Mr. Murphy's predecessor, Paul Pressler. Mr. Pressler himself left the company three months later, in January 2007.

Investors need to keep a very close eye on what Old Navy does next and more importantly, what Murphy plans for gap in its entirety.

For more:

Gap Press Release
Reuters