Crate and Barrel Announces New Leadership in 2012

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Nov. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Barbara Turf, Chief Executive Officer and President of home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel, a member of the Otto Group, today announced the company's leadership strategy upon her retirement next spring. Effective April 2012, Chief Operating Officer Sascha Bopp will assume the role of CEO and Marta Calle, currently Director of CB2, will become President, in charge of merchandising and marketing. Ms. Calle will report to Mr. Bopp.

Hans-Otto Schrader, CEO of the Otto Group, emphasized the successful work of Barbara Turf: "Thanks in large measure to Barbara Turf's leadership as CEO and President, Crate and Barrel is well-positioned to extend our reach as a global home furnishing brand and design leader." Dr. Timm Homann, Chairman of Crate and Barrel, adds: "Crate and Barrel has been a respected and well-loved brand for nearly 50 years. We are excited about the opportunities ahead to introduce our brands to a new generation of customers."

"Sascha's global perspective, strong business background and deep commitment to Crate and Barrel make him the ideal leader to take us into the future," said Dr. Homann. "Marta is a visionary merchant and leader. With their combined talents and shared passion for our brands, Sascha and Marta are a well-matched team, primed to drive growth and innovation in every aspect of our business."

Prior to joining Crate and Barrel in 2009, Mr. Bopp was Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer at Primondo GmbH, a $6 billion German multi-channel retailer. He also served as CEO of Primondo's Specialty Group division. With more than 20 years of retail experience as a buyer and product developer, Ms. Calle joined Crate and Barrel in 2000 as a product development consultant. In 2004, she took on the leadership of CB2, and was named Director in 2008. Since taking the helm at CB2, Ms. Calle has grown the brand very successfully into a multi-channel business across the United States.

In her more than 40 years with Crate and Barrel, Barbara Turf has played an integral role in the growth and success of the company. She was named President in 1996 and CEO of Crate and Barrel in 2008. During her tenure, Ms. Turf personally spearheaded the launch of the company's CB2 brand in 2000 and introduced children's retailer, The Land of Nod, to the Crate and Barrel family of brands in 2001.

About Crate and Barrel

Multi-channel home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel was founded in Chicago in 1962 by Gordon and Carole Segal. By working directly with European ateliers and factories, Crate and Barrel was among the first retailers to make contemporary tabletop and kitchenwares designs accessible to the American consumer. Currently, the company operates 113 home furnishings stores worldwide as well as a successful direct marketing division. The Crate and Barrel family of brands includes CB2, the affordable modern home furnishings brand established in 2000, and children's home furnishings retailer, The Land of Nod. Crate and Barrel is a privately held company owned by the Otto Group of Hamburg, Germany since 1998.

SOURCE Crate and Barrel