Global Fashion Group has chosen the head of Jabong India as the new Zalora CEO. Gunjan Soni will over the helm of the Southeast Asian e-commerce portal early next year after she completes her combined tenure as chief marketing officer with India’s largest fashion e-commerce business, Myntra, and the Jabong role.
Soni has more than 13 years of leadership experience in marketing, strategy and operations and a passion for building new-age consumer businesses.
“It is truly a huge privilege to lead Zalora, which is already the leading fashion and sports destination, at a time when Southeast Asian markets are poised for increasing fashion and e-commerce consumption,” she said in a statement.
“When I see Zalora, I see a company with limitless potential and ability to shape the future of fashion commerce in one of the most exciting markets globally. This makes it both exciting and humbling to take on this role.”
At Myntra, Soni was instrumental in positioning the brand as a leader in fashion and lifestyle and leading the turnaround of the Jabong business post acquisition.
Prior to joining Myntra, the next Zalora CEO was executive VP for strategy & CEO office with Star India. She also spent a large part of her career at McKinsey where she was a partner, working across multiple consumer sectors and geographies including the UK, Singapore and Bhutan.
She is a recognised leader in business having featured in Spencer Stuart-Economic Times young leaders 40 under 40 list, Fortune India 40 under 40, and named one of the most influential women leaders in media.
Patrick Schmidt, Co-CEO of Global Fashion Group, Soni’s experience in leading operations, strategy and marketing in fashion e-commerce and her strong leadership skills will be instrumental in strengthening Zalora’s position as market leader in Southeast Asia’s e-fashion space.
“She has a deep and broad understanding of the complexities of e-commerce and has contributed to building one of the world’s biggest fashion e-commerce companies.”