Pentland names new chief operating officer

Pentland Brands, the British owner of Speedo, Berghaus and Canterbury, has promoted Chirag Patel to Chief Operating Officer.

The appointment comes after a year of change at the company following a reorganisation of its business units to streamline its brand portfolio and pave the way for future investments.

One of these ‘future investments’ was announced earlier this month in the form of a footwear joint-venture with its long-standing partner Lacoste. Pentland will design and manufacture the Lacoste footwear range as part of the deal.

The focus on expanding the Pentland portfolio will continue with Chirag Patel as COO. As director of strategy & portfolio, he was behind the recent footwear joint venture business with Lacoste and led the investment in US sneaker brand SeaVees in March last year.

And in his new role as COO, he will continue to lead the company’s strategy process and drive growth through the acquisition of new brands and footwear licenses, said the company.

Andy Long, CEO of Pentland Brands, said: “Our focus in 2017 was on setting our business up for growth, so we can make our brands matter to more people. This year is about delivering what we've set out in our three-year plan, so we’ve evolved Chirag Patel’s role, from Global Strategy & Portfolio Director to Chief Operating Officer, to lead this work.

"Chirag will take ownership of our operating model, governance structure and make sure the way we’re working day-to-day keeps us on track to deliver our goals.”

Patel joined the company in 2011 as global vice president of marketing & product for Mitre International and has subsequently held several senior roles at the company, including global vice president of product & Marketing at Mitre International.

Pentland also owns Ellesse, KangaRoos and Boxfresh, and has stakes in Hunter, Tracksmith and Heidi Klum’s swimwear brand.

Pentland names new chief operating officer

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