Victoria Beckham Announces Paolo Riva As CEO

Paolo Riva has been named chief executive officer of Victoria Beckham Ltd. Riva will take up the post, which was left vacant by Zach Duane last year, from September 2018. He will work closely with Victoria Beckham, founder and creative director of VBL, and her board of directors, to “drive VBL’s strategic geographical and product expansion and help with the realisation of the company’s direct-to-consumer ambitions,” according to a company statement released today.

“I am thrilled to welcome Paolo to VBL," Beckham commented. "His arrival follows my partnership with NEO and the arrival of Ralph Toledano, who joined us this spring as chairman. He joins the team as we enter our second decade and his wealth of experience, drive and creativity will be fundamental in helping us continue our expansion as a global brand.”

Paolo, who has 16 years of leadership experience in the fashion industry, having worked with brands including Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino, Tory Burch and, most recently, as CEO of DVF, added: “I am delighted to join VBL at this important time. The Victoria Beckham brand presents a unique and exciting opportunity – no one has been better than Victoria at embracing the digital revolution and using it to influence tastes by channelling her vision direct to consumers. I am looking forward to working with Victoria and her team as we continue to develop a pioneering consumer-led business.”

The announcement follows the news that the brand has acquired £30 million from growth equity firm Neo Investment Partners in exchange for a minority stake in VBL, and fashion industry veteran Ralph Toledano’s appointment as chairman of the company in March 2018, in what is shaping to be a landmark 10th anniversary year for the brand. In September, Beckham will join the London Fashion Week schedule for the first time, and will follow her spring/summer 2019 collection with a series of special pieces and activations celebrating her decade in the business.