Industry Moves!
Welcome back to Virtua Weekly, where we break down the biggest stories emerging from the sports, fashion & outdoor industries each week!
Here's what you need to know:
Montblanc announced this week the appointment of Giorgio Sarné as CEO, effective November 15, 2024.
Giorgio Sarné, a graduate of Bocconi University in Milan and HEC Paris, brings over 20 years of senior leadership experience in the luxury sector. Throughout his career, he has held global roles at prestigious Maisons like Veuve Clicquot and TAG Heuer. Most recently, Giorgio served as Brand President & CEO of Stuart Weitzman at Tapestry Group, where he led the brand for four years.
"I am delighted to welcome Giorgio to the Group as CEO of Montblanc. His strong expertise in building soft and hard luxury Brands comes at a pivotal moment as the Maison celebrates the 100th anniversary of the iconic Meisterstück. Under Giorgio’s stewardship, Montblanc will continue to share its 118 year-old story and rich legacy of writing culture, leather craftsmanship and watchmaking in fresh and unexpected ways." Philippe Fortunato, CEO of Fashion & Accessories Maisons.
"I am deeply honored and excited to step into the role of CEO at Montblanc, a Maison renowned for its excellence in craftsmanship and innovation. I look forward to working closely with the talented teams at Montblanc to further nourish and celebrate the Culture of Writing globally.” Giorgio Sarné, CEO Montblanc.
Sportswear giant PUMA Group has appointed Markus Neubrand as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and a member of the Management Board, effective October 1, 2024.
Markus most recently served as Chief Financial Officer at ? Before that, he was Group CFO for luxury fashion brand MCM WORLDWIDE. Earlier in his career, he held dual roles as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at HUGO BOSS, overseeing operations in the key Americas region.
At PUMA, Markus will oversee Finance, Investor Relations, Legal, IT and Business Solutions.
“We are excited to welcome Markus to PUMA. He is an experienced finance executive with significant operational, financial planning and capital markets expertise. With his strong knowledge of the industry and people-first approach, Markus is a great fit for the PUMA Family and I am excited to start working with him to write our next chapter of sustainable growth based on brand elevation,” said Arne Freundt, CEO of PUMA. “I would like to thank Hubert for all of his achievements at PUMA. With his great commitment and dedication to the brand and PUMA family, he has contributed to our success over the past 20 years. I wish him all the best for his professional and personal future.”
Starting October 1, 2024, PUMA’s Management Board will consist of Arne Freundt (CEO), Markus Neubrand (CFO), Maria Valdes (CPO), and Anne-Laure Descours (CSO).
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In a significant leadership shift, Italian luxury company TOD'S Group has named John Galantic as its new Chief Executive, marking a pivotal moment for the company following its recent stock market delisting.
Galantic, a former CHANEL executive, succeeds Diego Della Valle, who will remain chairman of the group. The leadership change marks a new phase of strategic growth for Tod's, which seeks to leverage its privately held structure to expand its global presence.
The appointment comes in the wake of Tod's delisting from the Milan Stock Exchange earlier this year, a move long supported by Della Valle. In a deal valued at €1.4 billion, the group sought greater flexibility to unlock the potential of its portfolio, which includes iconic brands TOD'S , Roger Vivier , Hogan , and Fay.
Galantic's appointment is seen as a strategic move aimed at accelerating Tod's global growth ambitions. His experience at Chanel, where he led North American operations for more than a decade, aligns with Tod's new focus on digital capabilities and brand development.
As Tod's looks to the future, the appointment of John Galantic represents not only a change in leadership, but a recalibration of its strategic ambitions. With the freedom of private ownership and the expertise of a seasoned luxury executive, the Italian fashion house is preparing for its next chapter, ready to compete on the global stage with new momentum and a renewed vision.
German fashion brand ARMEDANGELS has appointed André Hennigers as its new Global Sales Director.
Hennigers brings extensive experience from the fashion industry, having held senior leadership positions at prestigious brands like Marc O'Polo SE , Levi Strauss & Co. , Nike , and Esprit .
Hennigers will be responsible for strategic development and expansion of sales activities at Armedangels. "I am very excited to join the Armedangels team and support the company in its mission to make sustainable fashion accessible to a wider audience. There is still a lot of potential that we can explore together" said Hennigers.
Hennigers has been on board since September 15, 2024 and succeeds Greta Meyza, who is handing over her responsibilities to him and will leave the company at the end of October for a new challenge.
Paris-based sustainable footwear brand VEJA has appointed Enrico Pasi as its new Global Commercial Director.
Pasi has extensive experience in the footwear industry, having previously worked as Global Commercial Director for footwear brand Autry . Prior to this, Pasi spent more than three years as Global Brand Director at Japanese footwear manufacturer Suicoke , where he started as Director of Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia. He also spent about five years as Sales and Brand Manager at Italian fashion retailer Slam Jam .