Retail
Wilko
British homeware and household goods chain Wilko named Mark Jackson, a restructuring expert, as its CEO designate.
Formerly the CEO at Bensons for Beds, Jackson takes over from Jerome Saint-Marc. The retailer warned earlier this year that there was a risk that it could run out of cash by yearend if sales continue to slow.
The 400-store chain has since brought in advisors to help shore up its finances. It is in talks with lenders for a 30 million pound ($36.1 million) emergency loan to get through the holiday selling season.
Brands
Li Ning
The board of directors of Li Ning Company Ltd. appointed Wang Yajuan as an independent non-executive director.
Wang is chief marketing officer of Xingyin Information Technology Co., which operates Xiaohongshu, a social media and e-commerce platform in China. Before joining Xingyin, Yajuan was the senior vice president of Weibo from 2014 to 2020.
Wang’s Board term runs for three years commencing. She is subject to retirement by rotation and re-election at the company’s general meetings in accordance with its articles of association.
Kizik
Kizik, a provider of hands-free footwear technology, announced that Wendy Yang, who recently stepped down as President of Hoka, was appointed to the company’s board of directors.
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During Yang’s seven-year tenure at Hoka, the company grew to $1 billion in revenue. Yang had previously held senior-level positions with New Balance, Timberland and Tommy Hilfiger Footwear.
Based in Lindon, Utah, Kizik is a technology-inspired footwear brand that creates fashionable hands-free footwear with modern design solutions.
Textiles
ZDHC
Manuel Baigorri, who had been a member of ZDHC’s board of directors since 2017, resigned as board chair due to a change in his employment.
In light of Baigorri’s departure, Francesco Pianca was elected as interim board chair until the new seating of the board committee Chairs are seated in the coming year following commences after the next board election.
In addition, four members were elected to the board. Abhishek Bansal was elected to serve for a second term as secretary and manufacturer seat, Renee Hackenmiller-Paradis was elected treasurer and brand category seat, Mia Gunawan as elected as brand category seat, and Dr. Mark Sumner, lecturer in sustainable fashion, School of Design at the University of Leeds, was elected as academia seat.
ZDHC’s mission is to enable brands and retailers in the textile, apparel and footwear industries to implement sustainable chemical management best practice across the value chain. Through collaborative engagement, standard setting and implementation, the aim is to advance toward zero discharge of hazardous chemicals.
Trade
USTR
Doug McKalip, President Biden’s nominee to serve as chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) was confirmed by the Senate.
McKalip is in his 29th year of federal service as an agriculture policy leader and trade expert. Since March 2021, he has served as senior advisor to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on all agricultural matters relating to trade, national security, animal and plant health regulations, and a wide portfolio of domestic and international issues.
USTR Katherine Tai said as Chief Agricultural Negotiator, McKalip will build on the Biden administration’s record of representing the interests of U.S. farmers, ranchers, producers, and workers, including expanding market access for their products. He will further enhance the strong collaboration between USTR and USDA to bring more U.S. products to customers around the world and will help USTR address the rising risk of global food insecurity as a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine and other supply chain disruptions.
Logistics
PGT Trucking
PGT Trucking Inc., a multiservice transportation firm offering flatbed, dedicated, international and specialized services, revealed two new appointments to its executive leadership team, naming Luis Guzman as chief financial officer (CFO) and Andrew Erin as vice president of technology advancement.
Guzman joined PGT in 2004, serving most recently as vice president of finance. As CFO, he will oversee PGT’s financial management, maximize the company’s earnings and identify strategic growth opportunities.
Erin began working at PGT in 2013 and has held several positions in the operations, safety and risk departments. In his new role, he will be tasked with promoting PGT’s Future of Flatbed initiatives by adding quality talent to the Applied Technology department, overseeing the implementation of new software in company systems and leading PGT’s innovative approach to transportation solutions.