She will succeed H. Todd Stitzer when he meets his 12-year term limit in June, taking on the role following the company’s annual general meeting.
Stitzer said it was a privilege to serve on the jewelry giant’s board for more than a decade.
“As my tenure as chair comes to an end, I’m struck by how far we’ve come – transforming the culture of the company from the inside out, navigating through a pandemic and modernizing Signet’s powerhouse consumer-facing banners. I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve all made together and can’t wait to see what’s to come,” he said.
Signet Jewelers CEO Gina Drosos said her “trusted guidance, unwavering support, and effective counsel have been an invaluable asset to Signet over the course of her tenure.”
“I speak for the entire board when I say we are grateful for his leadership and vision as we’ve worked to transform Signet into the purpose-led and financially strong company it is today.”
During his tenure, the company returned more than $3.5 billion to shareholders, tripled its liquidity, and delivered shareholder returns of 183 percent, more than three times the peer group median, noted Drosos.
Soon-to-be non-executive chair McCluskey joined Signet’s board as an independent director in 2013.
She has served on the Audit, Finance, and Governance and Technology Committees, including as chair of the Governance and Technology Committee from October 2017 through June 2023.
Prior to joining the board, she was the president and CEO of clothing company The Warnaco Group, Inc. from 2012 until its 2013 acquisition by PVH Corporation, when he retired and became an independent director of PVH until 2014.
She has also served on the board of directors of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. since February 2019.
“Helen is steeped in the ins and outs of Signet’s business and has added great value to the board since joining,” said Brian Tilzer, chair of Signet’s Governance and Technology Committee.
“We are pleased to welcome Helen as the new chair and look forward to continuing to tap into her deep background in retail and understanding of the consumer and Signet.”