Nordstrom
Nordstrom appointed Kelley Hall as its SVP and chief accounting officer. Hall brings more than 23 years of experience in financial leadership, recently serving as VP and CFO for Nike Inc.’s enterprise operations. During her nine-year tenure at Nike, Hall managed the company’s financial teams and other divisions, including supply chain operations. Her resume also includes previous stints at other major companies, including Starbucks Corporation.
Macy’s
Macy’s is shifting its leadership as part of its business turnaround plan.
Hal Lawton was named as Macy’s new president, effective Sept. 8. In his new role, Lawton will oversee all aspects of the company’s brand, including consumer insights, merchandising, stores and technology. Lawton joins Macy’s from eBay, where he served as the SVP of eBay North America. He also held prior leadership roles at Home Depot and McKinsey & Company.
As part of its restructuring efforts, Macy’s is also consolidating three key functions—merchandising, planning and private brands—into a single merchandising function, which will be led by Macy’s veteran Jeff Kantor. Kantor currently serves as the company’s chief stores and human resources officer and previously ran Macy’s e-commerce division.
Outdoor Voices
Activewear company Outdoor Voices hired a key retail veteran to elevate its business initiatives.
Outdoor Voices tapped former J.Crew CEO Mickey Drexler, who will serve as chairman of the board and an advisor to CEO and founder Tyler Haney.
This move is timely with Outdoor Voices’ positioning in the activewear market. The company raised $22.5 million in funding from venture capitalists and $9 million from Drexler. The brand aims to grow its product offering and deliver more colorful workout apparel to consumers over the next few years.
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HBC
HBC International president Don Watros is leaving his post on Sept. 29. During his 11-year tenure at HBC, Watros was crucial in growing the company’s international footprint. In January 2015, Watros was named as president of HBC International and before that, COO of the company. Prior to HBC, Watros served as the managing director of retail operations at NRDC Equity Partners. HBC has not determined a successor yet.
Target
Minsok Pak was appointed as Target’s new EVP, chief strategy and innovation officer. In his new role, Pak will manage Target’s enterprise strategy development and retail innovation, in addition to serving as a member of Target’s leadership team. He recently served as the SVP of LEGO retail at The LEGO Group. His resume also includes previous stints at LG Electronics and McKinsey & Company.
Urban Revivo
Chinese fast fashion chain Urban Revivo tapped former Topshop buyer Rachel Brown as its new buying manager. In her new role, Brown will oversee all aspects of buying for the retailer, which is preparing for its U.K. debut in March 2018. Brown began her career in buying at Asos, where she was hired as a junior buyer in 2008. Following her eight-year tenure at Asos, Brown then moved to Topshop last year to lead the e-tailer’s buying division.
Gant
After five years of service, Darren Whelpton-Smith, head of retail for Gant’s U.K. and Ireland arm, is resigning from his role. Whelpton-Smith will move to Raging Bull, a rugby leisurewear brand, to helm its retail, e-commerce and wholesale divisions. Prior to his tenure at Gant, Whelpton-Smith held other leadership roles at Levi’s and Republic.
Jack Wills
Jack Wills announced two key executive appointments this week.
Jack Wills tapped Burberry executive Claire Waugh as its new chief marketing officer. Waugh joins Jack Wills from Burberry, where she served as the label’s global marketing director for menswear, leather and softs categories since 2015. Her resume includes previous stints at Homebase and Starbucks Coffee.
Jack Wills also hired retail veteran David Wertheim to be its new merchandising director. Wertheim joins Jack Wills from Tesco, where he served as the director for general merchandise in the UK. Prior to his six-year tenure at Tesco, Wertheim held leadership roles at Sainsbury’s and M&S. He succeeds Richard Fawdry, who served as the company’s merchandising director since 2015.
Tailored Brands
Andrew Iwaskow was appointed as Tailored Brands’ new EVP of human resources. In his new role, Iwaskow will be responsible for all aspects of the company’s human resources and strengthen the company’s ability to attract outstanding talent. Iwaskow joins Tailored Brands from Toys “R” Us, where he recently served as the company’s VP of marketplace human resources.
Lindex
Lindex CEO Ingvar Larsson is exiting his role. Elisabeth Peregi, country manager of Lindex Sweden, will take over immediately as Lindex’s new interim CEO. Peregi has held several leadership roles at Lindex, including head of franchise business and country manager for Norway and CFO. Despite leaving his post, Larsson will be available to Lindex during the notice period.
As part of this move, Peregi will report to Stockmann CEO, Lauri Veijalainen, who was elected as chairman of Lindex’s board of directors. Her predecessor, Per Sjödell, will remain a member of the Stockmann board.
Very Exclusive
Very Exclusive tapped former Avenue 32 buying director Stephen Ayres to be its head of buying, effective Sept. 4. Ayres joins Very Exclusive after a two-year tenure at Avenue 32, which recently closed doors after failing to secure a buyer. Prior to Avenue 32, Ayres held leadership buying positions at Liberty and Selfridges.
By Malene Birger
Denmark-based label By Malene Birger appointed Mathilde Torp Mader to the role of creative director, effective Aug. 28. In her new role, Mader will oversee the label’s ready-to-wear collection and new design studio in London. Mader joins the label from Mulberry, where she served as the company’s collection design manager. Her resume also includes previous stints at Marni and Sonia Rykiel. She will take over for By Malene Birger’s head of design, Christina Exsteen.
J.Crew
J.Crew SVP of finance and treasurer Vincent Zanna was promoted to the role of CFO and treasurer. Zanna served as J.Crew’s SVP of finance and treasurer since last October and VP and treasurer from 2012. Before joining the company in 2009, Zanna served as the treasurer of Footstar, Inc.
Laura Ashley
Laura Ashley board member Sally Kealey is resigning from her post. Kealey served as an independent non-executive director of the company and is leaving to pursue other career opportunities.
L Brands
L Brands announced the appointment of Patricia S. Bellinger and Robert H. Schottenstein to its board.
Bellinger currently serves as an adjunct lecturer at research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. She also serves on other company boards, including Pattern Energy Group, Inc., Sodexo SA and Sonepar Group.
Schottenstein is the CEO and chairman of M/I Homes, Inc., a U.S. homebuilder company and serves on the board of Installed Building Products, Inc.
L Brands also said Jeffrey H. Miro is retiring from the board. Miro is a partner at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn and served on the board for the past 11 years.
L’Agence
California-based contemporary label L’Agence named Jeffrey Rudes as its CEO. Rudes is a co-founder and financer of the label, which launched in 2008. In his new role, Rudes will work with L’Agence president Albert Schami to transform the label into a new multichannel lifestyle collection. Rudes also co-founded J Brand denim, where Schami held the role of CEO and partner.
Sloggi
Bodywear company Sloggi hired Alex Cara as its new general manager for the UK, Nordics and Benelux (Cluster North), effective Sept. 4. Cara joins Sloggi from Pandora, where he served as the jewelry company’s SVP. Cara’s resume also includes previous stints at Esprit, New Look and Nike.