Pentland in senior team moves, also cuts two posts

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Apr 17, 2018

Pentland Brands said this week that it’s making some key executive team appointments “with clearer brand and regional accountabilities,” in order to drive its ambition to accelerate brand growth across international markets. 

The company has moved current global supply chain director Matt Rock to the role of president of Asia Pacific, although he will also be continuing to head up the supply chain. Meanwhile Global customer director Carl Davies has been named president of UK, EMEA and Americas. 

The aim is to give brand directors “a more direct role in leading brand growth,” and it will see the Speedo, Mitre and Canterbury brands reporting to Davies while the Berghaus brand brand will report to COO Chirag Patel. 

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But the changes come with a downside for some in the senior team as roles will also be eliminated. Pentland is removing the role of global president, Active Division, currently held by Chris Stephenson, and the role of global group marketing director, currently held by Sean Hastings. 

CEO Andy Long said of all this: “This leadership change is an acknowledgement that we have made significant progress in transforming Pentland Brands to deliver our potential. We are now a simpler, more focused business and evolving our leadership will allow clearer accountability for brands and markets that will help us grow.” 

He added, relating to the two executives whose jobs are going: “Chris and Sean have both contributed hugely to us reaching this point - Chris through his outstanding leadership of the Active Division transformation, which means we’re now set up to realise the potential of our active brands; and Sean by creating focus and ensuring we put the consumer at the heart of what we do, professionalising how we work as a brand-building organisation to drive future growth.”

Pentland owns and operates many high-profile labels. It owns Speedo, Berghaus, Canterbury of New Zealand, Endura, Boxfresh, Ellesse, KangaROOS, SeaVees, Mitre and Red or Dead. And it's the global licensee for Ted Baker footwear, plus Kickers in the UK, and has a joint venture partnership for Lacoste footwear.