Boden appoints former Urban Outfitters CEO as non-exec director

British fashion and lifestyle brand Boden has appointed former Urban Outfitters CEO Glen Senk as non-executive director as it continues to expand internationally.

Senk, who began his career at Bloomingdale's and who sits on several boards, is said to have made a personal investment in Boden and will be helping to drive its international expansion. The quintessentially British brand was founded in 1991 by Johnnie Boden and now operates in 60 markets.

"I have long admired Boden, a dynamic business dedicated to its customers. I look forward to supporting the team to bring this extraordinary brand to an ever-broader audience," Senk said in a statement.

Boden CEO Julian Granville said he was "delighted" to welcome Senk to Boden adding: "He has extensive international experience with iconic global brands. His knowledge of the American market and his commitment to building international brands will be invaluable to us."

The business, which began life as a mail-order catalogue and has since moved into e-commerce, has been extending its distribution channels. It is now sold by multi-brand etailers Next Label, La Redoute and Zalando and there are plans afoot for a standalone store on King's Road in Chelsea, which joins its first ever store opened in 2004 near its HQ in Hangar Lane, West London. It has also opened concessions in several branches of John Lewis.

Senk also sits on the boards of Aritzia, Inday, Kendra Scott and Opening Ceremony. After beginning his career at Bloomingdale's in 1981 he went on to become CEO of London-based Habitat International Merchandise and Marketing Group. After this he joined Williams-Sonoma as senior vice president.

He joined Urban Outfitters as president of Anthropologie in 1994 was elected to the board in 2004 becoming CEO of Urban Outfitters in 2007. From 2012 to 2014, he served as CEO of fine jeweler David Yurman, after which he set up his own consumer investment company Front Row Partners.