VF Corporation announced Thursday that Dan Cherian has joined the company in a newly created role as vice president of global innovation, performance apparel and footwear. Cherian will oversee and lead activities at VF’s Performance Apparel and Footwear Innovation Centers in Alameda, Calif. and Stratham, N.H., where the company focuses on developing advancements for its apparel, footwear and accessories across its 30-plus brands.
Cherian has been at the forefront of apparel and footwear innovations. He joins VF from Nike Inc, where he was the general manager of Nike’s Sustainable Business Lab. He also worked for Pfizer Inc. and the Boston Consulting Group.
At VF, Cherian will set global innovation strategies and shape and manage the global product innovation portfolio. The company introduced its Innovation Center strategy in 2013 and began to ramp up its innovation initiatives with existing teams to support key projects. Under Cherian’s leadership, VF will assemble teams of chemists, scientists, engineers and designers for the centers who will combine their expertise in technology and new materials with the company’s proprietary insights and understanding the needs of consumers.
Steve Rendle, VF senior vice president, Americas, said, “Our goal is to shape the future of apparel and footwear.” He added, “VF has emphasized the importance of product innovation as a key growth driver for our company. Adding Dan to our team to lead our performance apparel and footwear initiatives further demonstrates our commitment to creating breakthrough, must-have products for consumers.”
VF ’s largest brands are The North Face, Vans, Timberland, Wrangler, Lee and Nautica. Its third Innovation Center is dedicated to jeanswear and located near the company’s world headquarters in Greensboro, N.C.