Allen Burke, who took a lead role in spearheading the transformation of the beauty business at QVC since joining the home shopping network in October 1997, has decided to turn the page, if not close the book.
Claudia Lucas, formerly a senior vice president and general merchandise manager for beauty at Henri Bendel, has taken on the role of director of merchandising for beauty at QVC, succeeding Burke. He will take on the post of senior adviser of beauty development, a part-time position.
Burke and Lucas, who joined the network last week, will work together on the transition in the coming months and the move will officially become effective in October.
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In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Burke made it clear he is not retiring. “That is really not the case,” said the 66-year-old Burke, adding that his objective was to continue to play a part in the development of the business while reducing his workload. “I am happy to be part of the future,” said Burke. “I love where the company is going and I love doing it,” he said, while pointing out that he is conscious of how “labor intensive” his day-to-day responsibilities have become.
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He will turn those daily duties over to Lucas, while cutting back his schedule to probably three days a week. “I’ll spend more time in the market in New York, work on special projects and focus on strategy and development,” Burke said. Asked how long he expects this phase of his career to last, he replied, “I plan to make it long term.”
Prior to joining QVC, Burke was the cosmetics divisional merchandise manager at Dayton Hudson and Marshall Field’s, where he had worked for 16 years. He began his career at L.S. Ayres in Indianapolis in 1966.
Burke described Lucas as “brilliant” and asserted that she will bring a new perspective to the company. “She is going to be fabulous,” Burke declared.
Lucas worked at Bendel’s from 2004 until last year. Previously, she was head of buying for beauty at Selfridges in the U.K. from 1999 to 2004, and served as senior beauty buyer for World Duty Free, a U.K.-based position, from 1994 to 1999.