Mr. Mike Barnes
Signet Jewelers Limited, the largest specialty jewelry retailer in the US, UK and Canada, says Ronald Ristau has resigned from his position as Chief Financial Officer, effective July 31, 2014, and Michele Santana, currently Signet’s Senior Vice President and Controller, has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer Designate, effective immediately. Santana will succeed Ristau as Chief Financial Officer of Signet following his departure.
Santana joined Signet in 2010 and has served as Senior Vice President and Controller since that time. Throughout her tenure, she has played a key role in all aspects of the finance function, including Signet’s recent acquisition of Zale Corporation. Prior to joining Signet, Santana held key leadership positions at KPMG LLP where she had nearly 14 years experience working with Signet and its divisions, as well as other large international public companies, in an advisory-related role. Santana is a certified public accountant.
Mike Barnes, Signet’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Michele has been a key member of the Signet leadership team during a period of exceptional success and growth. She brings outstanding qualifications and experience in all aspects of finance to the Company and I am confident she will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow.”
Commenting on Ristau’s resignation, Barnes stated, “Since he joined Signet in 2010, Ron has been instrumental in Signet’s strong growth and performance, and he played a critical role in Signet’s recent acquisition of Zale. We respect his decision to relocate to be nearer to his family. On behalf of Signet, I thank Ron for his many contributions to Signet and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Signet also announced that Theo Killion, the President and CEO of the Zale division, has resigned from his position, effective July 31, 2014. George Murray, Signet’s current Chief Integration Management Officer, has been promoted to President of the Zale Division and will succeed Killion upon his departure. In addition, the Company has announced that Ed Hrabak has been promoted to President of the Sterling Division. Mr. Murray, Hrabak, and Sebastian Hobbs, Managing Director of the UK Division, will all report to Mark Light, Signet President & Chief Operating Officer. Barnes stated, “George and Ed have more than 40 years combined at Signet and bring a wealth of retail management experience to their new roles. Mark and I are excited to work with Seb and them as the leaders of their divisions.”
Signet Jewelers Limited is the largest specialty jewelry retailer in the US, UK and Canada. Signet’s Sterling division operates over 1,400 stores in all 50 states primarily under the name brands of Kay Jewelers and Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry. Signet’s UK division operates approximately 500 stores primarily under the name brands of H.Samuel and Ernest Jones. Signet’s Zale division operates over 1,600 locations in the US and Canada primarily under the name brands of Zales, Peoples, and Piercing Pagoda.
