Global Fashion Group
Global Fashion Group (GFG), a London-based fashion e-commerce company, named Christoph Barchewitz and Patrick Schmidt as its new co-chief executive officers, effective Feb. 1. In their new roles, Barchewitz and Schmidt will oversee the operational development of GFG and work closely with GFG’s regional businesses, including Dafiti (Latin America) and Lamoda (Russia & CIS). They will succeed former CEO Romain Voog, who stepped down from his role.
GFG also appointed Georgi Ganev, CEO of digital branding company Kinnevik, to its board of directors. Ganev, who has served as Kinnevik’s CEO since the beginning of the month, previously held the title of CEO at Dustin, a Scandinavian IT product e-commerce company, for five years.
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Nike
Nike promoted Dirk-Jan “DJ” van Hameren to the role of vice president and chief merchandising officer. In his new role, van Hameren will be responsible for Nike’s Global Marketing organization and expanding consumer engagement initiatives. As a 25-year Nike veteran, van Hameren has held several leadership roles at the company, including vice president and general manager of Nike Sportswear, vice president of brand management for Nike’s Western Europe division, general manager of Nike ID and global brands initiatives director. His predecessor, Greg Hoffman, was appointed as vice president, global brand creative and marketing innovation and will oversee Nike’s brand communications and global brand imaging efforts.
Louis Vuitton
Kim Jones, men’s artistic director of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton’s brand, is exiting his role after seven years of service. On Thursday, Jones showed his last collection at Men’s Fashion Week in Paris. Louis Vuitton hasn’t indicated a successor yet, however, other luxury labels, including Burberry and Versace, have expressed interest in Jones, who is known for his globetrotter-meets-functional design aesthetic.
Shop Direct
Following a robust holiday season, U.K. retailer Shop Direct announced some executive changes.
Derek Harding, Shop Direct’s group finance director, will succeed Shop Direct group chief executive Alex Baldock on an interim basis, effective at the end of January.
According to other media reports, additional leadership changes could take place, particularly with the company’s IT and e-commerce divisions. Andy Wolfe, Shop Direct’s chief information officer, will be succeeded by Jean Marc Domaingue this summer, while Shop Direct lead product owner Mike Francis will take on the additional role of head of digital at a later point. Paul Hornby, current head of digital, is slated to exit his role in February.
Walmart
Judith McKenna was promoted to the role of chief executive officer and president of Walmart International. McKenna, who currently serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Walmart U.S., will take up her new role on Feb. 1. As a Walmart veteran, McKenna has held several leadership roles at the company, including Walmart U.S. business unit’s chief development officer and chief financial officer and chief operating officer Asda, Walmart’s U.K. operation. She will succeed David Cheesewright, who is retiring from his role.
Crew Clothing
Angharad Carter-Clout, Crew Clothing’s head of finance, was promoted to the role of finance director. In 2016, Carter-Clout began her tenure at Crew Clothing, where she held the role of head of commercial finance before assuming her role as head of finance last year. She will succeed CFO Stuart Owens, who stepped down from his role in December.
H&M
Following a controversial advertisement, H&M issued a public apology and is taking steps to make its fashion presence more inclusive. On Thursday, H&M announced that it will appoint a global diversity leader, which will revamp H&M’s current branding image moving forward. H&M has not announced who will take on this role yet.
Cole Haan
Cole Haan tapped Tom Linko as its new CFO. Linko joins Cole Haan from Kate Spade & Co., where he most recently served as the company’s CFO and was responsible for accounting, reporting and other global finance operations.
Courrèges
Courrèges appointed Christina Ahlers as its new CEO. Alhers joins the company from Acne Studios, where she led the company’s international headquarters in Paris for 12 years. Her resume includes previous stints at other fashion houses, including Maison Margiela.
Geox Group
Geox Group CEO and director Gregorio Borgo is resigning from his role. On Feb. 1, the company’s board of directors will hold a meeting, where Matteo Mascazzini will be appointed to the board of directors, with the possibility of taking over the role as CEO.
