Zalando SE Co-CEO Rubin Ritter has informed Cristina Stenbeck, Chairperson of the Supervisory Board, about his intention to step down from his role as Co-CEO at the AGM in 2021. Stenbeck announced that the Supervisory Board will work together with Ritter to dissolve his contract, which as of today runs until November 2023.

Ritter said, “My decision is the result of many months of careful consideration. After more than 11 amazing years where Zalando has been my priority, I feel that it is time to give my life a new direction. I want to devote more time to my growing family. My wife and I have agreed that for the coming years, her professional ambitions should take priority. And regarding my own future, I am eager to allow myself time to explore new interests beyond Zalando. I have always felt that being a part of the Zalando team is a gift and a privilege, and it will be incredibly hard for me to leave it behind.”

Stenbeck said, “While the Supervisory Board clearly regrets Rubin’s decision, we have the highest respect for the underlying personal motivation and we greatly appreciate his transparency and openness in giving the Board and the Company ample time until his departure to secure the next steps of this management transition. During the nine years I have known Rubin, I have seen first hand the kind of commitment, strategic clarity and decisive leadership that Rubin has brought to Zalando.”

Since 2010, Robert Gentz, David Schneider and Rubin Ritter have led Zalando as a team of three Co-CEOs. During that time, Zalando grew from a startup to Europe’s leading online platform for fashion and lifestyle with 14.000 employees on its way to achieve more than 10 billion euros Gross Merchandise Volume in 2020. Gentz and Schneider will continue to lead Zalando as Co-CEOs after Ritter’s departure.

Gentz said, “When we started to ship the first shoes to our customers from the basement of our office, we did not know where the journey would lead us. It is impossible to overstate Rubin’s impact on Zalando’s success. We will miss him dearly as a strategic thinker and leader.”

Schneider added, “Rubin always has been a role model to many in the company. We owe him a lot, as a business partner and friend. I am sure that he will stay closely connected to Zalando.”

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