Sept. 30, 2016: International comfort footwear brand Clarks has appointed Mike Shearwood as its new CEO. Shearwood most recently served as CEO of London-based women’s fashion house Karen Millen, from 2009 and 2015. Tom O’Neill, chairman of Clarks, will assist in the transition of the day-to-day leadership of the business, according to the company.
Sept. 29, 2016: French luxury conglomerate Kering has appointed Claus-Dietrich Lahrs as CEO of Bottega Veneta, effective Oct. 4. He will replace Carlo Alberto Beretta, who has been appointed Kering chief client and marketing officer, effective Oct. 4. Lahrs will report directly to François-Henri Pinault and will be a member of the group’s executive committee. Lahrs most recently served as CEO of Hugo Boss until February, and he has held executive roles at luxury brands such as Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior Couture.
Sept. 23, 2016: The Neiman Marcus Group has appointed Carrie Fisher as SVP and chief marketing officer, effective Oct. 3. Fisher will succeed Wanda Gierhart, who announced her departure in March. Fisher, who most recently served as SVP, chief marketing officer and head of e-commerce at Fossil Group Inc., will oversee all marketing for the Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and Last Call brands.
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Sept. 21, 2016: Nordstrom Inc. has announced several leadership changes to advance its omnichannel goals. The department store chain has appointed Ken Worzel as president of Nordstrom.com. Worzel has served as EVP of strategy and development at the company since 2010. The company also announced new assignments for the three Nordstrom brothers who serve as co-presidents. Erik Nordstrom will now be responsible for the Nordstrom brand, including Nordstrom stores, Nordstrom.com and Trunk Club as well as customer care, marketing and supply chain. Blake Nordstrom will be responsible for the Nordstrom Rack brand, including Rack stores and NordstromRack.com/HauteLook and other corporate functions including finance, technology, legal and human resources. Pete Nordstrom will continue to support all of the company’s merchandising functions and store planning, the company said. The brothers will continue to serve as co-presidents.
Sept. 19, 2016: After 10 years with the brand, Adidas GM of Global Basketball Chris Grancio has left the company. Grancio has accepted the role of chief marketing officer at athlete-management firm Independent Sports & Entertainment (ISE).
Sept. 16, 2016: Under Armour announced that Jason LaRose has been named president of its North American business. He will succeed Matthew Mirchin, who will transition to the role of strategic advisor for global revenue, effective Oct. 1. Mirchin has been with UA since 2005, serving in a number of senior management positions in sales and marketing. LaRose joined Under Armour in 2013 to lead its global e-commerce business, eventually becoming SVP of digital revenue in 2015. LaRose will continue to lead the firm’s e-commerce business while helping UA in the search for his successor.
Sept. 8, 2016: David Sharp, Rocky Brands Inc. president and CEO since 2011, has stepped down from his post. Mike Brooks, chairman of the company’s board of directors, has been appointed interim CEO while the firm searches for Sharp’s permanent replacement. Brooks previously served as CEO of Rocky Brands from August 1991 to July 2011. Sharp was also a member of the company’s board prior to his resignation.
Sept. 8, 2016: Canada-based e-tailer shoes.com has named Bradley Wilson president, effective Aug. 22. Prior to joining shoes.com, Wilson served as GM at Expedia, in charge of the Travelocity business. He has also held senior management roles at Nutrisystem and at Match.com.
Sept. 8, 2016: Paul Andrew has been appointed design director of women’s footwear at Salvatore Ferragamo. The move, which was rumored for weeks and announced Sept. 8, is effective immediately. His first collection for Ferragamo will debut for pre-fall ’17. Andrew will continue to design for his namesake collection, which launched in 2013.
Sept. 7, 2016: Gillian Meek is stepping into the role of President at Keds. The executive, who formerly served as SVP of product and marketing for the Stride Rite Children’s Group, will take over the post Sept. 12. Meek, who also worked at Reebok and Timberland before joining Wolverine Worldwide, will take over for Richie Woodworth, who has been acting as interim president since Chris Lindner’s departure earlier this summer.
Sept. 1, 2016: Brian Burnett will succeed Terry Apple as VP and GMM at family footwear retailer Rack Room Shoes, effective Sept. 1. Rack Room said Apple will work with Burnett “for an extended length of time” to facilitate a smooth transition. (Rack Room made this announcement on Aug. 29.)
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