Ahrendts will have oversight of the strategic direction, expansion and operation of both Apple retail and online stores, which have redefined the shopping experience for hundreds of millions of customers around the world. Apple retail stores set the standard for customer service with innovative features like the Genius Bar®, Personal Setup and One to One personal training to help customers get the most out of their Apple products.

"I am thrilled that Angela will be joining our team," said Cook. "She shares our values and our focus on innovation, and she places the same strong emphasis as we do on the customer experience. She has shown herself to be an extraordinary leader throughout her career and has a proven track record."

"I am profoundly honored to join Apple in this newly created position next year, and very much look forward to working with the global teams to further enrich the consumer experience on and offline," said Ahrendts. "I have always admired the innovation and impact Apple products and services have on people's lives and hope in some small way I can help contribute to the company's continued success and leadership in changing the world."

Ahrendts will join Apple in the spring from Burberry, where she serves as CEO and has led the company through a period of outstanding global growth. Prior to Burberry, she was executive vice president at Liz Claiborne Inc., and earlier in her career she served as president of Donna Karan International.

According to Wikipedia, CNN Money reported in 2013 that during 2012, she was the highest paid CEO in the UK making $26.3 million.

Interestingly Burberry was very successful in Asia, where luxury and classic British craftsmanship proved a highly successful combination. Ahrends experience and contacts in China may be of asssistance to Apple as they expand and develop more signature stores in that country over the next few years. 

This isn’t Apple’s first hire this year of a CEO of a luxury clothing company. In July, Apple hired Paul Deneve, the former CEO of luxury fashion house Yves St Laurent Group, to work on special projects for Cook. Then again in September, Apple hired Nike Design Director Ben Shaffer. It appears that Apple's CEO Tim Cook is definitely building a new powerhouse "Special Projects" team. This gradual build-up of highend designer thinking executives to Apple is starting to pique the interest of many.  

Burberry's stock in London has fallen 6% on the news this morning.  

The Apple Connection: Apple's iPhone 5S was shown to play a role in filming last month's Burberry Fashion show as noted below.

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