Piloting a Fast-Track Career

Sven Gaede
CEO, Radley + Co., Ltd.
London

Sven Gaede heads Radley, a leading U.K. handbag and accessories brand that recently entered the U.S. market with a store in Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, N.Y. A privately held brand with a recognizable Scottie dog logo, Radley’s line of bags, belts and accessories are also available through select Bloomingdale’s and Lord & Taylor stores and an online store launched for U.S. customers.

Following his education at Kingston Polytechnic in London, Gaede worked at Marks & Spencer in London and Paris, where he held several positions in merchandising. He earned an MBA from INSEAD (the Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires), where he specialized in strategy and marketing, and after graduating worked on developing market entry and brand expansion strategies for Coach and Champion at Booz Allen Hamilton.

Gaede joined GAP Europe as director of finance and business development in 1996 during a period of rapid growth, then spent five years as CEO at Hackett, turning around the high-end English menswear brand before joining another tradition-steeped British brand, Dunhill, as chief commercial officer responsible for Western region sales and product development. That was followed by a stint as CEO of e-commerce company Net-A-Porter.

Gaede moved to Radley + Co. in 2009 with a plan to grow the brand 20 to 25 percent per year by introducing new product categories through licensing and brand collaborations and international franchising and e-commerce.

What was your first paying job?
I was at Marks & Spencer in London as a trainee merchandiser in baby wear and stayed with M&S for four years.

You’ve lived in Italy, Germany, the U.K., France and the United States. What’s your take on these countries and cultures?
There is no perfect place, just the one that is right for you at that time.

Your career includes stints from high-end Hackett to GAP on the casual side. How has your previous professional retail experience influenced your business philosophy?
No matter what position the brand occupies, it is the customer who should drive what you do and how — always!

Do you have a favorite hotel?
The One&Only Royal Mirage in Dubai.

Best shopping experience?
J.Crew — it’s easy, friendly and offers good quality product.

Who’s been your biggest career influencer?
My Dad. He instilled a sense of hard work, confidence and the goal of leading by example.

Something you’d still like to accomplish?
Fly a helicopter.

What’s motivating you now?
I have always been ambitious and my motivation comes from within. I want my wife and my parents to be proud of me and I want to be proud of what I do.

Last retail purchase?
An iPad.

Name an item on your “wish list.”
An original AC Cobra 427. It’s a car, but so much more!

Little-known fact about you?
I play the drums and I love ’70s rock.

What’s your technology must-have?
A Blackberry — boring but critical.

What’s your favorite pop-culture fix?
Boston’s “More Than a Feeling.” I’m showing my age!

Do you have a favorite artist?
Scottish painter Jack Vettriano.

Any prized possession(s)?
My watches.

A person you’d like to meet?
Bernard Arnault, the founder of LVMH.

Favorite food?
Japanese.

How do you unwind?
I run and play the drums.

If I wasn’t running a retail company, I’d …?
Be flying aircraft!