Vera Bradley Announces Management and Board Leadership Changes

About this update from Vera Bradley, Inc.

CEO Jackie Ardrey will be departing the Company Ian Bickley will assume the role of Executive Chairman Martin Layding is joining the Company as Chief Financial Officer New Board Strategy and Transformation Committee Established FORT WAYNE, Ind., June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vera Bradley (Nasdaq: VRA) (the “Company”) today announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Jacqueline Ardrey is leaving the Company. The Board of Directors has launched a national search for Ms. Ardrey’s replacement. She will remain with the Company to aid in the transition until the end of July. Ms. Ardrey joined the Company in November 2022 and launched Project Restoration, a comprehensive strategic initiative to transform the Company’s business model and brand positioning. “I want to thank the Board and our amazing associates for their support and look forward to seeing Vera Bradley’s growth journey ahead,” Ardrey said on her departure. As a part of the announced leadership changes, Ian Bickley is assuming the role of Executive Chairman effective July 7, 2025. In this newly created role, Mr. Bickley will be taking an interim executive role to provide leadership and guidance during the CEO transition and will also be the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. The executive chairman role is expected to be a temporary role during the CEO transition.   Mr. Bickley has extensive executive experience serving in numerous roles with Coach, including as President of the Company’s International Group. He also served as Interim CEO of the Body Shop where he helped complete a successful sale of the Company. Mr. Bickley also serves on the Crocs and Brilliant Earth Boards. As a part of Mr. Bickley taking on the Executive Chairman role, current Board Chairman Robert Hall will be stepping down from the chairman role and will continue to serve as a Director on the Board. In announcing these changes, Mr. Hall remarked that “Since joining the Board, Ian has demonstrated a strong command of our industry in addition to the challenges of Vera Bradley’s ongoing transformation. I am grateful for Mr. Bickley’s willingness to lend his extensive expertise, including in turnaround situations, to take on an executive leadership role during the CEO transition. I also want to thank Jackie for her dedication in helping position Vera Bradley for its next chapter in its transformation jo...

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