A new executive director at the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) has brought on board industry marketing and communications leader Anne Kavanagh as its new Executive Director, taking over from Christina Oliver, according to TR Business. Kavanagh will report to President Sunil Tuli and the APTRA Board. Sunil Tuli said; “We are delighted to welcome Anne to the position of Executive Director of APTRA. Having proactively led our communications
ations for over two years, she has valuable insight into the association’s mission and objectives. She brings a wealth of strategic expertise in travel retail, gained over 25 years as one of the industry’s most respected marketing communications consultants, partnering on a global basis with airports, brands, retailers, food & beverage operators, architects and the broader travel retail community as well as having represented leading retailers in the European domestic market.”
Dr Martens hires new global creative director
UK-based footwear company Dr Martens has welcomed on board new global creative director Darren McKoy, who was previously global product category director, according to an article from Footwear News.
“As Darren and I both settle into our new roles, it’s clear that he’s been instrumental in inspiring our product strategy,” said Adam Meek, chief product officer at Dr. Martens, in a statement. “Darren has led from the front to reinforce our iconic, original product whilst inspiring innovation that always touches on our heritage.”
McKoy has worked at Dr Martens for seven years. Prior to that, he held leadership roles at retail giant Asics in Europe, The North Face and Adidas Originals.
Reject Shop CEO quits, interim chief named
Andre Reich, CEO at The Reject Shop, has stepped down with immediate effect.
The company’s CFO Clinton Cahn has been appointed acting CEO in the interim while the company searches for a permanent appointee. Amy Eshuys has taken on the role of COO effective tomorrow.
In a statement to the ASX, company secretary Michael Freier said Reich had decided that now was “an appropriate time for him to leave the company to pursue other opportunities”. He left the role earlier this week, having determined the “fix phase” of his strategy to turn the business around was complete.
Reich began leading the company in January 2020, and “inherited a business that required significant turnaround”, said Freier’s statement.
“Over the past two years, Andre has led the company through the ‘fix’ phase of the turnaround while navigating the uncertainty and volatility associated with Covid-19,” Freier said.
“Under Andre’s leadership, The Reject Shop’s corporate culture has been reset, the business has returned to profitability with a lower cost base, the balance sheet is strong and the store network continues to expand. These achievements will underpin the growth of the company into the future.”
Chairman Steven Fisher said “everyone at The Reject Shop wishes Andre well in his future endeavours”.
“We have commenced an external search to identify an experienced executive to lead the company through the next phases of the turnaround strategy.”