Brands
Nike
“Just Do It” giant Nike has overhauled its senior leadership team (SLT) as part of its “Win Now” strategy. CEO Elliott Hill said the changes are meant to “remove layers” and improve execution, according to an internal memo.
These “elevations” included reinstating the COO role—which hasn’t existed since 2023— and promoting Venkatesh Alagirisamy, formerly chief supply chain officer, into the position. Effective Dec. 8, he will oversee supply chain, operations, manufacturing, sustainability and now technology—shifting the CTO out of Hill’s reporting line. However, Nike also axed the positions of two EVPs on the SLT team; chief commercial officer Craig Williams and chief technology officer Muge Dogan are exiting the company, with Nike eliminating the CCO role entirely.
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Now, Nike’s four regional heads report directly to Hill, reducing management layers. Sales, including direct-to-consumer, will report to CFO Matt Friend. The restructuring targets tighter integration of operations and technology and speeds up decision-making for a faster turnaround.
Burberry
British luxury brand Burberry announced that it has appointed Matteo Calonaci as chief operating and supply chain officer and Johnattan Leon as chief customer officer.
While Calonaci is currently senior vice president of strategy and transformation at Burberry, he will take over from Klaus Bierbrauer, Burberry’s current supply chain and industrial officer, who will leave after the brand’s winter show and a transition period. In his new role, Calonaci will oversee supply chain and planning, strategy and transformation, as well as data and analytics.
Leon currently serves as Burberry’s senior vice president of commercial and chief of staff. He will transition to chief customer officer, leading Burberry’s customer, client engagement, customer service and retail excellence teams, as well as overseeing digital, outlet and commercial operations.
Both Calonaci and Leon will join the executive committee, reporting to Burberry chief executive officer Joshua Schulman, who took the helm of the heritage house last July, following the ousting of its former CEO, Jonathan Akeroyd.
Versace
Shortly after the Prada Group’s acquisition of Versace, the luxury label announced that Dario Vitale, who succeeded Donatella Versace as creative director, is stepping down. Vitale, who joined Versace roughly eight months ago after more than 14 years at Miu Miu, will officially exit on Dec. 12, according to a company statement. Until a new creative director is announced, the design team will report directly to Versace CEO Emmanuel Gintzburger.
Toms
Californian B Corp footwear brand Toms has named Katie Wagner as chief commercial officer. The former Crocs and HeyDude executive will oversee the company’s global sales channels, including wholesale sales and operations, as well as e-commerce and marketplaces. As CCO, Wagner joins the executive team and will work with cross-functional leadership to strengthen the brand’s go-to-market strategy and marketplace presence.
Bafflin
Canadian cold climate brand Baffin has named Jessica Liut vice president of marketing. Since joining in 2020, Liut has advanced brand visibility, “guiding marketing efforts during significant evolution” to strengthen Baffin’s position in Canada and beyond. Formerly director of marketing, she will continue to lead marketing and e-commerce departments, while also overseeing customer experience.
Gant
American heritage brand Gant has named Fredrik Malm as CEO, succeeding Patrik Söderström, who led the MF Brands Group-owned label since February 2019. Gant, owned by the privately-held Swiss group that also owns Lacoste and Aigle, has been under its umbrella since 2008.
