Nike Announces Senior Leadership Changes To Accelerate "Win Now" Strategy

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- NIKE Inc, a global designer, marketer and distributor of athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories, has announced a series of Senior Leadership Team (SLT) changes aimed at strengthening operational integration and accelerating its "Win Now" priorities.

According to its President and Chief Executive Officer, Elliott Hill, the company is establishing a new Executive Vice President (EVP), Chief Operating Officer (COO) role to better connect its operations and embed technology more deeply into its sport-focused strategy.

Venkatesh Alagirisamy, a nearly 20-year Nike veteran and current Chief Supply Chain Officer, will assume the role effective Dec 8. In addition to Supply Chain, Planning, Operations, Manufacturing and Sustainability, he will now oversee Technology.

“He and his team will now be able to look end-to-end to ensure technology is fully integrated into how we create, plan, make, deliver and sell our innovations across our three iconic brands,” Hill said in a statement.

As part of the restructure, the EVP, Chief Technology Officer role has been eliminated, and Dr Muge Dogan will depart the company. The EVP, Chief Commercial Officer role, held by Craig Williams, has also been discontinued. Hill thanked both leaders for their contributions to Nike’s technology advancement and marketplace strategy.

To enhance consumer connectivity and further activate Nike’s sport offence, the senior leaders of Nike’s four Geographies will join the SLT, namely Angela Dong (Greater China), Carl Grebert (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Tom Peddie (North America) and Cathy Sparks (Asia Pacific and Latin America).

Global Sales and Nike Direct will now report to EVP and Chief Financial Officer Matt Friend. Hill said consolidating these teams under Friend positions him to more closely link marketplace performance with company strategy, supported by his extensive commercial and geographic experience.

Hill noted that the changes are intended to streamline the organisation and give Sales and Nike Direct a stronger role in shaping strategic priorities and investment decisions.

“With this newly evolved SLT, I am confident we will accelerate the core aspects of our "Win Now" actions. These changes eliminate layers and better position Nike to continue to have impact the way only Nike can,” concluded Hill.

-- BERNAMA