Heather Reisman
appointed Executive Chair;
Peter Ruis
appointed Chief Executive Officer; Andrea
Limbardi appointed President
TORONTO, Sept. 6,
2022 /CNW/ - Indigo
Books & Music Inc. (TSX: IDG), Canada's largest book and lifestyle retailer,
announced that its Board has approved leadership changes within the
organization effective September 5,
2022. Heather Reisman,
Indigo's founder & Chief Executive Officer, has been appointed
Executive Chair; Peter Ruis,
Indigo's President, will assume the role of Chief Executive
Officer, and Andrea Limbardi,
Indigo's Chief Customer and Digital Officer, has been appointed
President. Additionally, Mr. Ruis has been appointed as a member of
Indigo's Board of Directors.
As Executive Chair, Ms. Reisman will continue to drive
Indigo's vision and growth strategy while also remaining deeply
involved in the business.
On the appointment of Peter Ruis,
Ms. Reisman said "Having worked with Peter closely over the
last 20 months, I have full confidence that Peter is the right
leader for Indigo and that he will be instrumental to both our
future success and to sustaining the core values and culture that
have underpinned this organization since its founding."
Mr. Ruis added "I am honoured and delighted to be
taking on the new role. I would like to pay tribute to Heather's 25
years of creating and running this incredible brand and look
forward to our new partnership as we shape the future. I would also
like to thank Indigo's Board of Directors for their thoughtful and
diligent work in this transition and am appreciative of the
confidence both Heather and the Board have placed in me."
On the appointment of Andrea
Limbardi, Ms. Reisman said "In the over 20 years that Andrea
has been at Indigo, she has continually taken on more and more
responsibility always making an exceptional contribution. I know,
as does Peter, that Andrea's leadership is key to achieving our
ambitions."
"I am excited and energized to continue building upon the strong
foundation of Indigo's values and brand to deliver on the growth
opportunities we see ahead," said Ms. Limbardi. "I am grateful to
Heather for her visionary leadership, and look forward to
continuing to work with Heather, Peter, and our amazing teams as we
continue to bring Indigo to new heights."
The Board and its Human Resources, Compensation and Governance
Committee have been involved in the entire succession planning
process and worked with the executive leadership team to ensure an
effective and seamless transition.
About Indigo Books & Music
Inc.
Indigo is a publicly traded Canadian company listed on the
Toronto Stock Exchange (IDG). Indigo is Canada's leading book and lifestyle retailer,
offering a curated assortment of books, gifts, baby, kids, wellness
and lifestyle products, that support their customers every day and
at key life stages by simplifying their journey to live with
intention. Indigo believes in real books, in living life fully and
generously, in being kind to each other and that stories – big and
little – connect us.
The Company supports a separate registered charity, called the
Indigo Love of Reading Foundation (the "Foundation"), which is
committed to addressing educational inequality, and more
specifically the literacy crisis in Canada. The Foundation runs two annual
national granting programs: the Literacy Fund Grant, which is a
multi-year grant provided to high-needs schools across the country;
and the Adopt a School program, a grassroots fundraising initiative
that unites Indigo, its retail stores, Indigo's staff, local
schools, and their communities. In the wake of the COVID-19
pandemic and the unprecedented nation-wide school closures, the
Foundation committed $1.0 million to
provide books to families in need. With the support of the Company,
its customers, employees, and suppliers, the Foundation has
committed over $35.0 million to more
than 3,500 high-needs elementary schools across Canada since 2004. The Foundation is dedicated
to raising awareness about the critical importance of children's
literacy while providing essential literary support to high-needs
children across Canada.
To learn more about Indigo, please visit the "Our Company"
section at indigo.ca.
SOURCE Indigo Books & Music
Inc.