Kevin Bailey returns to the helm of Vans

The US clothing group VF Corporation announced a change in leadership at its Vans label on Thursday evening. As a result, Kevin Bailey has been named Global Brand President, Vans, effective immediately. He succeeded Doug Palladini, who had led the brand since 2016.

Bailey has many years of experience in the group: he was vice president of retail at Vans when the label was acquired by VF in 2004. Since then, he has held various leadership positions at Vans and at the corporate level. Most recently, as EVP and Group President, Asia Pacific and Emerging Brands, he was responsible for the group’s Asia Pacific businesses as well as smaller brands such as Altra, Jansport and Smartwool. He was President of the Vans label from 2009 to 2016. During that time, the brand’s annual sales more than doubled, ultimately reaching $2.2 billion, the company said.

“Kevin brings to his new role a deep knowledge and understanding of the Vans brand, its customers and its global business,” said Steve Rendle, CEO of VF, in a statement. “He will work closely with the Vans leadership team and our corporate divisions to support our efforts to re-ignite the brand’s global growth.”

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