COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Limited Brands (NYSE: LTD) announced today that after building a prominent beauty business and a long, storied career in the retail beauty industry, Robin Burns will retire as President and CEO of Intimate Beauty Corp. and Victoria's Secret Beauty Company. Ms. Burns stated that she will leave the business to spend additional time with her family and will pursue a large array of other interests which may include nonprofit opportunities.

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"I am very proud of the business and the team we have built over the past six years at Victoria's Secret Beauty. As a company, Victoria's Secret Beauty is solidly positioned as a prestige beauty brand based on an expansive assortment of innovative products of the highest quality," Ms. Burns said. "With the leadership and depth of talent we have in place throughout Victoria's Secret Beauty, I have no doubt that the business will continue to thrive."

Leslie H. Wexner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Limited Brands, Inc., stated: "Robin is one of the finest leaders in the beauty industry. She will surely be missed at Victoria's Secret Beauty and Limited Brands and by the retail and beauty industry as a whole. I am fully supportive of Robin's decision and wish her great happiness as she moves to this next phase of her life."

Leonard Schlesinger, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, Limited Brands, also commended Ms. Burns. "Robin has left the Victoria's Secret Beauty organization deep in talent and well-managed. We have complete confidence in the Executive Committee's ability to oversee an effective transition and expect to bring the transition process to a close quickly."

For the past 21 years, Ms. Burns has been a prestige beauty company leader. She joined Limited Brands in July 1998, after spending eight years at Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. as the President and CEO of the Estee Lauder brand in North America, and Donna Karan Cosmetics.

Before her Estee Lauder tenure, Ms. Burns served as President of Calvin Klein Cosmetics Company, guiding the company through seven years of extraordinary growth. Her retailing career began at Bloomingdale's in New York, where during nine years she rose from Executive Trainee to Buyer and, ultimately, to head the cosmetics division of Bloomingdale's stores.

Ms. Burns has been a recipient of numerous awards from her own and other industries, charitable organizations and education institutions including a Distinguished Achievement Award and an honorary degree from the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising. Ms Burns also received Syracuse University's highest award to an alumnus, the George Arents Pioneer Medal. Additionally, Ms. Burns was a City of Hope Beauty Ball Honoree and received the Woman of Achievement Award from Cosmetics Executive Women. She is most proud of her 14 years as Contribution Chairman of the annual Dream Ball which benefits The Look Good Feel Better Program, a free, non-medical, national public service program founded in 1989 and supported by corporate donors to help women offset appearance-related changes from cancer treatment.

Ms. Burns serves on several boards of directors including: S.C. Johnson Co.; Cosmetic Executive Women where she is also Chairperson; Fashion Institute of Technology; and the Cosmetics, Toiletries, Fragrance Association (CTFA) where she is also on the executive committee.

The Victoria's Secret Beauty Executive Committee includes: Jill Granoff, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer; Sherry Baker, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer; Sam Ghusson, Executive Vice President, Operations; Marcia Mossack, Executive Vice President, Chief Creative Officer; Kim Draper, Senior Vice President, Chief Stores Officer; Cindy Drankoski, Vice President, Human Resources; Mike Nicholson, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer; and Stuart Leighty, Vice President, Planning & Allocation.

ABOUT LIMITED BRANDS:

Limited Brands, through Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Express, Express Men's, Limited Stores, White Barn Candle Co. and Henri Bendel, presently operates 3,852 specialty stores. Victoria's Secret products are also available through the catalogue and http://www.VictoriasSecret.com .

SOURCE Limited Brands