Burberry has hired Walmart’s Fumbi Chima to the role of chief information officer and Leanne Wood as chief people and corporate affairs officer.

Chima, who is currently corporate vice-president and chief information officer at Walrmart Asia, will join Burberry next month in the newly-created role and report into chief operating officer John Smith.

Chima will head Burberry’s technology division and will oversee the technology platform upgrades including SAP.

At Walmart she was responsible for “aligning ecommerce strategies with technology solutions”. Chima has also held IT and technology positions at American Express and JP Morgan.

Fumbi was recently chosen as a member of the United Nations Digital taskforce, which works to improve the digital economy in Asia.

She also serves on the board of the World Affairs Council and is a member of the International Women’s Forum.

Burberry chief executive Christopher Bailey said: “The combination of Fumbi’s IT and digital expertise, together with her great dynamism and strong leadership skills, will be a fantastic benefit to our team and business.”

Global remit

Wood will join Burberry in November to take on role of chief people and corporate affairs officer, also a newly-created position, and will report directly into Bailey.

She joins from drinks giant Diageo, where she has been group HR director since 2013.

Prior to that role, Wood was the company’s global talent and organisation effectiveness director.

During her time at Diageo she worked in a number of markets including Southeast Asia, Great Britain, Ireland and Africa.

Wood has also worked for drinks group Allied Domecq in strategy and finance, and LEK Strategy Consulting.

Bailey said: “As chief people and corporate affairs officer, Leanne has a global remit with great strategic importance across our business, brand and culture.”