Industry Moves: The Row President Reportedly Resigns, Chloé Appoints New CEO + More

FN Staff

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Oct. 31, 2019: David Schulte has reportedly resigned as president of The Row following three years in the role. According to FN’s sister publication WWD, Schulte previously served as CEO at eyewear brand Oliver Peoples and his departure comes as Fabrizio Fabbro joins as COO. Fabbro was formerly the SVP of creative operations at Burberry, where he worked for 17 years.

Oct. 31, 2019: Richement-owned Chloé has announced the appointment of Riccardo Bellini as CEO, effective December 1, 2019. He will replace Geoffroy de la Bourdonnaye, who has decided to step down as of November 30, 2019. Bellini started his career at Procter & Gamble, where he spent 12 years in the Prestige Beauty division, before joining the Italian fashion group OTB in 2007. He held various management and marketing positions at Diesel and, in 2015, was promoted to executive VP for Diesel and Diesel Black Gold as well as chief marketing officer. In 2017, he was appointed CEO of Maison Margiela.

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Oct. 30, 2019: Walmart has reportedly announced the replacement of Jennifer Fleiss as CEO of shopping service Jetblack. The exec, who joined from Rent the Runway, the subscription fashion platform she co-founded a decade ago, will be succeeded by Nate Faust, SVP of supply chain and logistics with the retail giant’s e-commerce unit and co-founder of Jet’s digital site. Fleiss will take an advisory role to Walmart chief customer officer Janey Whiteside and will serve as an adviser and spokesperson to JetBlack.

Oct. 30, 2019: Burberry Group has named Sam Fischer to the board as a non-executive director and member of the remuneration and nomination committees, with effect from Nov. 1. He is currently president of Greater China and Asia Pacific at Diageo as well as a member of its global executive committee. He joined Diageo in 2007 and before that held various commercial and general management roles at Colgate-Palmolive.

Oct. 24, 2019: Alpargartas USA has named Jacob Uhland as president. He will lead the North American branch of the Brazilian footwear and apparel brand group, Alpargatas S.A., owner of Havaianas, Osklen and Dupe. Prior to joining the company, he served as senior director, digital channel development for VF Corporation where he led digital commerce strategy and development for 24 brands in the VF portfolio. In addition, he spent 20 years at The North Face, also a VF brand.

Oct. 23, 2019: Smartwool, a division of VF Corp., has named its first director of sustainability: Robin Hall, who most recently served as director of retail. In her new role, Hall will liaise with teams across the organization — including product development, operations, supply chain and sourcing — to embed sustainability in every corner of brand. She also will strengthen Smartwool’s partnership with New Zealand Merino; find natural alternatives to nylon, polyester and elastane; and implement measures to reduce emissions.

Oct. 22, 2019: Mark Parker is departing his role as CEO of Nike, effective Jan. 13, 2020. He will be succeeded by John Donahoe, the current president and CEO of ServiceNow and chairman of PayPal Holdings. As Parker transitions to the post of executive chairman, Donahoe — a Nike board member — will helm the sportswear behemoth at a time when it is ramping up its digital-focused efforts. From 2008 through 2015, he was president and CEO of eBay Inc. and previously served as CEO and worldwide managing director of Bain & Co.

Oct. 22, 2019: Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank is stepping down in January. The exec, who will remain at the company as executive chairman and brand chief, is being replaced by president and COO Patrik Frisk. The incoming chief joined the athletic apparel giant in July 2017 after working as CEO of Aldo Group under its legendary founder, Aldo Bensadoun. He has nearly three decades of experience in the apparel, footwear and retail industry, previously serving 10-plus years with VF Corp. in a variety of leadership roles.

Oct. 21, 2019: Adidas has announced a pair of moves on its executive board. Eric Liedtke, who has been with the company for 25 years, is leaving at year’s end. According to the firm, the supervisory board and Liedtke, who was responsible for global brands, have agreed to the termination of his appointment as an executive board member effective Dec. 31. As Liedtke exits, Brian Grevy returns. He will succeed Liedtke on the executive board and will be responsible for global brands at the start of next year. Grevy, who has been CEO of clothing company Gant since June 2018, began his Adidas career in 1998 as a key account manager.

Oct. 21, 2019: Hotter has appointed Claire Pearl as chief product officer, a new position that tasks the exec with refreshing the brand’s collection and expanding its international presence. She joins the U.K.-based firm from Hobbs, where she served as buying and merchandising director, as well as Phase 8 and the White Company.

Oct 16, 2019: Wolverine Worldwide Inc. has named Angelo Ng as its first-ever chief merchant officer. He brings 25 years of merchandising, sourcing and marketing experience from a range of apparel, footwear and accessories brands, including Levi’s and Dockers in Europe, America and Asia. Most recently, he served as VP of Levi’s mens, collections, collaborations and accessories merchandising. In this newly created role, Ng will lead the merchandising growth strategy and innovation road map for the portfolio of brands, focusing on aligning consumer insights, marketing intelligence, advanced concepts, trends and strategy to support the company’s global growth agenda.

Oct. 16, 2019: Genesco has appointed Scott E. Becker as SVP, general counsel and corporate secretary, effective Oct. 23. The exec succeeds Roger Sisson, who retired early this year. Becker joins the firm with more than three decades of experience in the legal, financial and administrative fields, most recently serving in a variety of roles at Nissan Group of North America and Latin America since 2006. He previously worked at Sears Holdings as well.

Oct. 10, 2019: Walmart U.S. president and CEO Greg Foran is stepping down, and Sam’s Club CEO John Furner is set to take the helm on Nov. 1. Foran, who is departing his post to become CEO at Air New Zealand Limited, has served five years as head of the retail giant’s U.S. business and will stay on through Jan. 31 to ensure a smooth transition. Furner will report directly to the company’s president and CEO, Doug McMillon. He has held a variety of jobs in the company over the course of 25-plus years.

Oct. 10, 2019: Target has appointed Michael Fiddelke as its EVP and CFO, effective Nov. 1. The exec has served more than 15 years at the big-box retailer in a variety of roles across finance, HR and merchandising. He most recently held the role of SVP of operations and is now responsible for the company’s financial planning and analysis, accounting and investor relations, among other departments. Target also announced the resignation of chief merchant Mark Tritton, who takes on the CEO post at Bed Bath & Beyond. In his place, the firm named two senior merchandising execs — Christina Hennington and Jill Sando — as interim leaders of its merchandising organization.

Oct. 9, 2019: Citing Milan-based sources, WWD Milan bureau chief Luisa Zargani reported that Tod’s has tapped a new designer to potentially lead its team. Walter Chiapponi was identified as the latest hire, but no further details of the role were available. He would join the company following years at Bottega Veneta with the label’s former artistic director, Tomas Maier. Tod’s general manager Carlo Alberto Beretta had also previously served as CEO at Bottega Veneta. FN has reached out to Tod’s for comment.

Oct. 9, 2019: Missoni Group has named Antonio Moltoni as CEO of Missoni USA. The exec has been tasked with commanding the retail and wholesale expansion of its flagship Missoni brand and the accessible M Missoni collection. He joins the company after more than 10 years at Gucci America and Dolce & Gabbana USA.

Oct. 7, 2019: Stella McCartney has named Gabriele Maggio as its new CEO as it embarks on its new partnership with minority owner LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, FN‘s sister publication WWD reports. Maggio was most recently GM of Moschino, a role he departed in September. He succeeds Frederick Lukoff, who exited Stella McCartney in June after a decade as the brand’s chief executive. He has since been named CEO of Scotch & Soda.

Oct. 7, 2019: Sequential Brands Group CEO Karen Murray has stepped down from her posts as chief executive and board director, the company announced today. The brand management firm — parent and licensor to brands such as Jessica Simpson, And1 and Heelys — has begun a search to identify a new CEO. Chad Wagenheim, EVP of strategic development and operations, has been promoted to president and will assist the company during this transition period. Murray’s exit coincides with the company’s announcement today that its board of directors is exploring strategic alternatives that include the divestiture of one or more existing brands, the acquisition of one or more new brands, a stock buyback program and other initiatives. After her exit, Murray will continue to serve as senior advisor and assist Sequential on “strategic opportunities,” the firm said.

Oct. 2, 2019: ASOS is shaking up its board with the hires of four independent non-executive directors. Former Sky strategy chief Mai Fyfield, Micro Focus chief people officer Karen Geary, Ocado Solutions CEO Luke Jensen and former Burberry exec Eugenia Ulasewicz are joining the board. Two other directors — Hilary Riva and Rita Clifton, who served for six years — will depart in April.

Oct. 1, 2019: Kering has tapped Kalpana Bagamane Denzel as its chief diversity, inclusion and talent officer, reporting to chief people officer Béatrice Lazat. According to FN’s sister publication WWD, the new exec is charged with promoting a work environment that encourages diversity. Her appointment was made as part of the luxury group’s 2025 sustainability strategy.

Oct. 1, 2019: Gucci‘s worldwide communications director is out. Alessio Vannetti, who joined the fashion house in January 2015, departed his post on Sept. 30 for personal reasons, reports FN’s sister publication WWD. The executive previously served at the Ermenegildo Zegna Group, where he worked on the brand’s couture collection, and as senior press office manager at Prada.

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