The latest HR moves made by leading textile and apparel companies.
Brands
Marimekko
Finnish lifestyle brand Marimekko is responding to the “increasingly dynamic operating environment” by creating dedicated functions for its supply chain and product portfolio management. As part of this organizational shift, the company has named Karolin Stjerna chief operating officer, supply chain. When she begins in the role on June 8, she will become part of the management group and report to the company’s president and CEO Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko.
Stjerna, who was most recently chief operating officer at Ganni, will oversee the brand’s product development, sourcing, quality control and logistics, as well as its direct-operated printing factory in Helsinki. A merchandising team will manage and develop the brand’s product portfolio with an eye toward its brand positioning and market demand. Marimekko is working to recruit a director for the merchandising team, with chief marketing officer Sanna-Kaisa Niikko taking on an interim leadership role.
As part of this shift, Marimekko’s chief supply chain and product officer Tina Broman exited the company on June 2, which Marimekko said was a decision with “mutual consent.”
“[Karolin’s] versatile experience in leading global operations in our industry to support international scaling is a great asset for us on our growth journey,” said Alahuhta-Kasko. “Strategic supply chain management has an increasingly important role in building Marimekko’s future competitiveness and enhancing our productivity, flexibility and agility.”
Alexander McQueen
British fashion house Alexander McQueen—part of Kering Group—has named Gianfranco D’Attis its new chief executive officer. The appointment, effective June 3, comes as the brand ushers in a “leaner and more disciplined model,” which includes streamlining its organization, retail footprint and collections while also “strengthening brand clarity.”
D’Attis comes to McQueen from Prada, where he was CEO. His over 25-year career in luxury has also included roles at LVMH and Richemont across Europe, America and Asia.
“[Gianfranco’s] ability to sharpen brand identity while driving disciplined execution will be critical as we refocus Alexander McQueen and unlock its full potential,” said Kering CEO Luca de Meo. “I am confident that, together with the teams, he will lead the house into its next phase of development.”
D’Attis is succeeding Gianfilippo Testa, who decided to leave Kering later this year.
Lanvin Group
Lanvin Group—which includes the Lanvin, Sergio Rossi, Wolford and St. John brands—has appointed Xi Luo as chief financial officer, succeeding interim chief financial officer Andy Lew, who will retain his other roles at the company, including group executive president.
Luo comes to Lanvin Group with more than two decades of experience, including past roles as chief financial officer at Fosun Capital and senior financial positions at Shiheng, We Doctor and Alibaba Group’s Cainiao Network.
At Lanvin Group, Luo’s oversight will including financial planning, accounting, investment and financing and investor relations. His appointment is effective June 1.
“We are pleased to welcome Mr. Luo to Lanvin Group at an important stage in the group’s development,” said Zhen Huang, chairman of Lanvin Group. “His deep experience across finance, investment and capital markets, combined with his global perspective, will further strengthen our organization and help advance the group’s long-term strategic priorities.”
Trims
Avery Dennison
Avery Dennison has appointed Danny Allouche as president of its Materials Group, which includes its labelling solutions.
Over his 16 years at Avery Dennison, Allouche has held multiple leadership roles, including time as interim chief financial officer. He was most recently senior vice president and chief strategy and corporate development officer, which involved overseeing the company’s M&A and venture investment activities.
“The Materials Group will benefit from Danny’s experience developing, executing and managing strategies across a portfolio of businesses, along with his having provided key contributions in building our Intelligent Labels platform,” said Deon Stander, president and CEO of Avery Dennison.
Distribution
S&S Activewear
Apparel and accessories distributor S&S Activewear has appointed Enrique Escalona as vice president, general manager of Canada as the company invests in the country, which it sees as a “key growth market.”
Escalona has more than two decades of experience across commercial and operational roles in Mexico and Canada. He comes to S&S Activewear from bakery and distributor Bimbo Canada, where he was vice president of national field sales. He succeeds Craig Ryan, who is retiring.
“S&S has built a strong foundation in Canada, and I look forward to working alongside the team to deepen customer relationships, drive operational excellence, and help accelerate the company’s next phase of growth,” said Escalona.
Technology
Project44
Supply chain management platform Project44 has named two new vice presidents as it looks to advance its AI-powered Movement platform.
Michelle Brunak has been appointed vice president of product management, a role that will focus on strategizing and developing Project44’s Movement platform in collaboration with the company’s engineering, data science and sales teams. With over 25 years of experience, she was most recently corporate vice president of product management and general manager of network at Blue Yonder, and she previously worked at Infor Nexus.
Project44 has also named Karthik Somasundaram as vice president of engineering, overseeing the company’s engineering teams based in Bengaluru. Somasundaram joined the company in November, and this appointment “formalizes his leadership role.” Over his more than 25-year career, he has worked at companies including Neuron7.ai, Rubrik, Cisco and Oracle.
Kinaxis
Supply chain planning and management platform Kinaxis has a new chief marketing officer. Kristin Russel has joined the company to lead Kinaxis’ marketing strategy, brand positioning, communications and go-to-market activities.
Russel was most recently chief marketing officer of Symplr, and before that, she led marketing at companies including Quest Analytics and Carrot Inc.
“As Kinaxis continues to expand its leadership in AI-powered supply chain orchestration and accelerate global growth, Kristin’s experience scaling enterprise technology platforms and transforming go-to-market strategy will help strengthen how we engage customers, partners and the market,” said Kinaxis CEO Razat Gaurav.
Optitex
James McDermott has been promoted to regional sales director Europe at Optitex and NedGraphics. Previously Northern Europe sales manager, his expanded role will see him oversee account management, partnerships and commercial operations across the continent with customers ranging from luxury brands to mass manufacturers.
McDermott’s background includes roles within the fashion industry in areas such as wholesale.
Logistics
GXO
Contract logistics firm GXO is aiming to continue its growth trajectory on the Iberian Peninsula with the appointment of Roberto Pascual as managing director in Spain and Portugal.
Pascual comes to GXO with more than 25 years of experience, including a two-decade tenure at DHL Supply Chain, where he was most recently managing director for Spain and Portugal.
Under the leadership of GXO’s former managing director of Iberia Rui Marques, the company expanded its footprint across the region, established long-term client relationships and had consistent double-digit growth. Today, the company has 50 distribution centers across Spain and Portugal. Marques is moving to a new role within GXO, where he will be managing one of the company’s major accounts.
Source Logistics
Source Logistics is looking toward further expansion with two appointments.
The Texas-headquartered company has promoted Barton Bullard to chief technology officer, tasking him with advancing digital capabilities, fraud prevention and infrastructure.
Steve Edmondson joined as chief commercial officer earlier this year, with a focus on client relationship building and revenue growth.
“Source Logistics was founded on perseverance, trust and a belief in people,” said Marcelo Sada, president and co-founder of Source Logistics. “Those values remain at the center of our growth strategy today. As the industry faces challenges, we are leaning in, expanding our footprint, building our leadership team and preparing for the next chapter of growth for our employees, our customers and our partners.”
Keller Logistics Group
As Keller Logistics Group looks to grow its warehousing footprint, multimodal freight and trucking, it has made a number of key leadership hires.
Mike Whitlock has joined Keller Warehousing and Co-Packing as director of business development. In his most recent role as vice president of sales at PGL, he grew revenues by 18 percent, and his 20 years of experience includes sales roles at John S. Connor, RCI-Logistics, GTS Group and DHL Worldwide.
Steve Staley has been named director of business development at Keller Industrial Properties, the group’s commercial real estate arm, which sells and leases warehousing and manufacturing spaces. And at Keller Trucking, Katie Furnish has joined as regional dedicated sales manager.
“The companies that will win in this industry, over the next 10 years, are the ones that build deep, durable talent in every seat, not just at the top,” said Bryan Keller, CEO of Keller Logistics Group. “We are putting elite commercial talent into every Keller affiliate because the opportunity in front of this company is that big.”
