Nike announces strategic leadership changes

Sportswear and fashion brand Nike has confirmed that Charlie Denson, Nike brand president since 2006 is to retire from the company in January 2014. Denson, who has been with Nike for 34 years, will be succeeded by Trevor Edwards, who

is currently vice president of brand and category management at Nike.

Edwards will become the new Nike brand president on July 1 and will be responsible for all category and geographic business units including the Jordan brand, action sports, which includes Hurley International, as well as Nike’s digital sport and brand management throughout the world.

In conjunction with Denson’s retirement, Nike has also announced other strategic changes to its executive management team aimed at the company’s “long-term organisational strategy to align the business to continue to drive growth”. With changes in management geared to reflect Nike’s focus on its customers by accelerating “innovation, elevating design, aligning product and merchandising excellence” as well as sharpening focus on its supply chain and manufacturing capabilities.

Further changes include Eric Sprunk, currently the EVP of merchandising and product, being named Chief Operating Officer of Nike Inc, where he will oversee all the manufacturing, sourcing, IT and procurement for the company and oversee the company’s efforts to drive innovation in the supply chain.

Jeanne Jackson, currently the president of direct-to-consumer, will become president of product and merchandising, responsible for creating all footwear, apparel and equipment for the company and leading the merchandising of products to the global marketplace.

While Dr. Thomas Clarke, currently the president of new business development, will move to the post of president of innovation. He will lead Nike’s Advanced Product Innovation Teams and the Sustainable Business & Innovation team.

Edwards, Sprunk, Jackson and Clarke will report directly to Mark Parker, Nike, Inc.’s president and CEO, along with Parker’s current direct reports including Hilary Krane, General Counsel, Don Blair, Chief Financial Officer, and Jim Calhoun, president and CEO of Converse.

Nike brand president Charlie Denson to retire

Commenting on Denson’s retirement, Parker said: “Charlie’s contributions to Nike are deeply significant and he’s helped build the brand around the world. I’ve worked with him for more than 30 years and I will miss him.

“We have a thoughtful succession strategy in place and have built a highly experienced, consumer-focused executive management team with the expertise, acumen, and brand knowledge required to continue to build sustainable growth for Nike, Inc. for the long-term.”

Prior to Denson’s retirement in January 2014, he will work closely with Parker to help manage the transition.

In addition to executive management changes, the reorganisation has also affected dozens of senior management posts throughout the company. Jayme Martin, currently vice president and general manager of global running, will move up to the same title for global categories, following Gary DeStefano, president of global operations decision to retire at the end of July.

With Martin moving into his new role, Patrick Seehafer, the VP of global footwear for Converse, will become the vice president and general manager of Nike Running; Dermott Cleary the vice president and general manager of Nike Sportswear, has been named the vice president and general manager of Nike Football; and Dirk-Jan van Hameren, the vice president of Nike Sportswear for Western Europe, will become the vice president and general manager of Nike Sportswear.

Image: Charlie Denson