Diane Neal moves up to top spot at Limited’s Bath and Body Works

Diane Neal, president and chief operations officer, has been promoted to the post of CEO at beauty products retailer Bath and Body Works. She joined the company last November after serving as president of the outlet division for Gap Inc.

“Diane is a strong leader with a merchant mindset and broad multi-store experience,” says Leslie H. Wexner, chairman and chief executive of Limited Brands Inc., parent company of Bath and Body Works and Victoria’s Secret. “She has led system and process improvement initiatives for us and has shared our commitment to growth.” Limited Brands is No. 16 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide.

Neal succeeds Neil Fiske who left the company to become CEO of multi-channel retailer Eddie Bauer.

Limited Brands also announced that Bill May, who most recently served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at PayLess ShoeSource, has been named chief operating officer for Victoria’s Secret Stores.