As July draws to a close, TheIndustry.fashion reflects on possibly the busiest month of appoints yet, marked by senior leadership shake-ups across the luxury, retail, sportswear and fashion technology sectors.
The luxury fashion sector has been particularly active, with Bottega Veneta and Nadine Merabi appointing new CEOs, Chanel naming a new CFO, Manolo Blahnik hiring a new MD of the Americas, Rabanne welcoming a new Creative Director and Tory Burch appointing its first-ever Chief Brand Officer.
Across sportswear we have seen new appointments at Gymshark, TALA and Puma, while retail businesses have welcomed both new faces and familiar ones, including Helen Connolly, who returned to George at Asda as CEO.Â
TheIndustry.fashion highlights the most notable appointments, spanning roles from CEOs and commercial leadership to creative directors and finance positions.
Nadine Merabi appoints new CEO
Luxury womenswear brand Nadine Merabi has appointed former Karen Millen Managing Director Briony Garbett as CEO. Nick Beighton joined as Non-Executive Chair and Hash Ladha became a Non-Executive Director.
Adidas raises outlook and appoints new CFO after World Cup drives record Q2
Adidas’ new Chief Financial Officer Birgit Kretschmer joins the brand from fashion retailer C&A, where she also held the role of CFO. Kretschmer brings more than 30 years of experience to the new role, 25 years of which she has spent at Adidas in roles including CFO of adidas International BV and Western Europe.Â
Gymshark promotes ex-ASOS director as Chief Supply Chain Officer
Gymshark promoted Global Supply Chain Director Matt Rogers to Chief Supply Chain Officer after he led sourcing and supply chain operations on an interim basis.
DREST hires gaming exec to lead growth strategy
Luxury styling entertainment platform DREST has appointed Julien Dulioust as General Manager of Game, where he will oversee product development, drive commercial performance and handle user acquisition.
Schuh appoints new President as Colin Temple retires after 38 years
Schuh has appointed Tomas Petersson as its new President, succeeding Colin Temple, who is retiring after 38 years with the footwear retailer. Petersson will join the business at the end of July and work alongside Temple over the coming months to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
John Smedley appoints CFO, COO and People Director
British knitwear brand John Smedley has hired Stuart Pannell as CFO, Brian Lancaster as COO and Nick Watt as People Director. Bryan Jackson CBE also returned as Senior Independent Director.
Manolo Blahnik appoints Managing Director of the Americas
Luxury footwear brand Manolo Blahnik appointed Kimberly Mimnaugh as Managing Director of the Americas, overseeing regional retail, wholesale, ecommerce and operations from New York.
Frasers eyes Michael Murray as Hugo Boss CEO
Frasers Group was reportedly considering Michael Murray to lead Hugo Boss if its proposed takeover of the German fashion company succeeded. No appointment had been confirmed.
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Chanel appoints Hélène de Tissot as new CFO
Chanel appointed Hélène de Tissot as CFO, succeeding Philippe Blondiaux. She will join from Pernod Ricard in October, while Blondiaux will remain until year-end to support the transition.
Puma appoints Dusan Hamlin as Vice President of E-Commerce
Puma named Dusan Hamlin as its new Vice President of E-Commerce, putting him in charge of its global digital commerce strategy.
Jonathan Saunders to lead Kate Spade creative after &Other Stories exit
Kate Spade New York appointed Jonathan Saunders as Executive Creative Director, effective 26 August. He will oversee product design and visual identity from the brand’s New York headquarters.
TALA confirms Sally Hughes as permanent CEO and hires Verity Linnell as CFO
London activewear brand TALA confirmed Sally Hughes as permanent CEO after five months in the interim position and appointed former Pai Skincare executive Verity Linnell as CFO.
Temperley London appoints new CEO and Design Director
British luxury house Temperley London appointed Morgaine McGee as CEO and Jack Isenberg as Design Director following founder Alice Temperley’s departure. Isenberg’s first collection will be presented in September.
JD Sports appoints Darren Shapland as interim Chair
JD Sports Fashion appointed Independent Non-Executive Director Darren Shapland as Interim Chair following its annual general meeting. He will serve until a permanent successor to Andrew Higginson is found.
The Very Group’s Irish retail business appoints Henry Dummer as CEO
The Very Group appointed former Bank of Ireland Chief Marketing Officer Henry Dummer as CEO of Very.ie, the Irish online retail business and flexible payments provider.
M&S appoints new Fashion and Beauty Director of Sourcing, Quality and Sustainability
Marks and Spencer appointed Jane Robson as Fashion, Home & Beauty Director of Sourcing, Quality and Sustainability, effective in August. She will succeed Monique Leeuwenburgh, who retires in October.
Bottega Veneta appoints Romain Spitzer as CEO
Kering appointed Romain Spitzer as CEO of Bottega Veneta, effective 1 September. The former LVMH executive will report to Kering CEO Luca de Meo and join its Executive Committee.
Roksanda taps former Stella McCartney creative as Head of Design
Designer label Roksanda appointed former Stella McCartney Head of Flou Simon Valer Dacsef as Head of Design, reporting to CEO Patricia Sancho.
PVH appoints former Sephora Global COO as CFO
Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger owner PVH appointed former Sephora Global COO Alexis Rollier as CFO. He will join in September and succeed Interim CFO Melissa Stone.
Beyond Nine appoints Liam Price as first CEO
Direct-to-consumer womenswear brand Beyond Nine appointed former AllSaints Global Ecommerce Director Liam Price as its first CEO.
Rabanne appoints as Creative Director
Rabanne appointed Olivier Rousteing as Creative Director after his 14-year tenure at Balmain. The house also announced the appointment on Instagram, with his runway debut scheduled for March 2027.
Tory Burch appoints first Chief Brand Officer
American luxury brand Tory Burch appointed Klitos Teklos as its first Chief Brand Officer, tasking him with global marketing, social media and visual merchandising.
Gymshark appoints former Boden exec as CTO
Gymshark appointed former Boden executive Shaun Perkinson as Chief Technology Officer. He replaced John Douglas, who retired after five years with the activewear company.
Liberty promotes former Coty CMO to head up marketing
Liberty promoted Laura Simpson to Chief Marketing Officer alongside her existing position as Managing Director of LBTY, expanding her remit across group brand, marketing and customer strategy.
Ex-Primark CEO Paul Marchant joins George at Asda as advisor
Former Primark CEO Paul Marchant joined George at Asda as an advisor on the fashion and homeware business’s long-term strategy.
Former Superdry and M&S finance boss to join Poundland as CFO
UK discount retailer Poundland appointed former Superdry and M&S finance executive Shaun Wills as Chief Finance Officer while continuing its post-restructuring turnaround.
Helen Connolly returns to George at Asda as CEO
Asda appointed Helen Connolly as CEO of George. The New Look CEO previously spent more than 15 years with George and will succeed Liz Evans.
Former ASOS ESG boss to lead brand sales and marketing at NEXT
NEXT appointed former ASOS Head of ESG Jodie Leek to lead brand sales and marketing. Leek brings over 25 years of experience in global sourcing, supply chain management, and environmental, social and governance (ESG), to her new role.
Dr. Martens strengthens board with new Non-Executive Director
Dr. Martens appointed Melanie Richards as an Independent Non-Executive Director from 15 July. She also became Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Nomination Committee.