Gap and Banana Republic welcome new leaders

By

Matthieu Guinebault

Published
Nov 21, 2014

At the same time as the presentation of its third quarter results, Gap Inc. announced two key promotions: Jeff Kirwan will take over as global president of Gap, and Andi Owen has been named global president of Banana Republic.

Jeff Kirwan previously served as president of Greater China for Gap Inc. He is replacing Stephen Sunnucks, who will leave the company on December 19, having overseen the entry of Gap into fifty countries in recent decades. 

Andi Owen, meanwhile, has most recently led Gap’s outlet division, having previously headed Banana Republic’s "factory store" division. As the retailer’s new global president, he succeeds Jack Calhoun, who is leaving the company after a transition running until February 1 following eight years at the head of the company. 

"These are important changes within the company, and I’ve been impressed with both Jeff and Andi’s development during our work together these past eight years," said CEO Glenn Murphy. "We’ve prepared leaders, with experience across all aspects of the global business, who are ready and eager for the challenges and the opportunities ahead.” 

With 3,200 stores, including 400 franchisees in 90 countries, the American group’s retailers enabled it to generate a turnover of 12.9 billion euros ($16.1 billion/£10.2 billion) last year.