Jonathan Ram is the new CEO of British shoe brand Clarks.
He will take up the position in April, Clarks announced on Tuesday. In this role, he will now focus on growing the business in existing and new markets and channels.
“I am delighted to welcome Jon to Clarks as our new CEO. He brings a wealth of global experience and understanding of the footwear and apparel markets,” said Colin Li, Chairman of Clarks. “Over the past year, Clarks has implemented a focused turnaround strategy to secure the future of the company and lay a foundation for sustained growth in the years to come. This has resulted in an improved financial position.”
Ram comes from the US clothing group HanesBrands, where he most recently served as Group President for Global Activewear. Prior to that, he was with New Balance for 16 years. At the US sports goods company, he managed the LATAM, EMEA and North America markets, among other things.
“Clarks is an iconic brand with a rich history of footwear craftsmanship, expertise and sustainability. It is truly an honor to be given the opportunity to lead the Clarks business and work with such a talented team,” said Ram.
Ram succeeds Victor Herrero, who was only appointed in March 2021 after Hong Kong-based private equity investor LionRock Capital acquired a majority stake. Herrero gave up his role back in November to focus on “broader responsibilities” at LionRock.