The latest HR moves made by leading textile and apparel companies.
Brands
Alexander McQueen
Seán McGirr is leaving Alexander McQueen after three years as creative director, as parent company Kering looks to establish what chief executive officer Luca de Meo described as a “bold new direction” for the British luxury house.
McGirr joined Alexander McQueen in 2023, succeeding Sarah Burton and leading the house through a new creative chapter rooted in its London heritage and the legacy of founder Lee Alexander McQueen.
“I would like to thank Seán for his contribution and dedication to Alexander McQueen,” de Meo said. “Our ambition is to establish a bold new direction for the House, building on its unique heritage of exceptional tailoring, uncompromising creativity and rebellion to reaffirm its position as one of the most innovative and culturally relevant voices in luxury.”
Alexander McQueen president and CEO Gianfranco D’Attis credited McGirr with helping reconnect the brand with London and its creative culture during his tenure.
McGirr said he was proud of the “progressive energy” developed by the house’s studio, atelier and craftspeople and plans to pursue a new chapter.
Alexander McQueen said it will announce new creative leadership soon.
Retail
JD Sports Fashion
JD Sports Fashion senior independent director Kath Smith will step down from the retailer’s board on Jan. 19, ending a tenure of more than seven years.
Smith joined JD’s board in May 2019 and became senior independent director and designated workforce engagement non-executive director in February 2022. She also served as interim CEO from May through September 2022 and most recently led the process that resulted in Peter Agnefjäll’s appointment as non-executive chair.
During her tenure, Smith served on JD’s audit and risk, nominations and ESG committees and previously sat on its remuneration committee
“Kath has offered great counsel and support both to me and the wider business during her tenure as Senior Independent Director,” CEO Régis Schultz said. “Her extensive experience and deep understanding of our brand partners has been invaluable to JD.”
JD has begun an independent search for Smith’s replacement.
Textiles & Materials
Avery Dennison
Avery Dennison has named longtime HP executive Helen Sheirbon president of its Solutions Group, effective Nov. 3, bringing more than two decades of technology, operations and transformation experience to the materials science and digital identification company.
Sheirbon joins Avery Dennison from HP Inc., where she currently serves as senior vice president and chief operating officer of Global HP Solutions. Here, she leads operations and strategic execution across HP’s global solutions portfolio, including intelligent platforms and AI-powered tools. Sheirbon’s career at HP spans more than 20 years and includes a series of leadership roles across solutions, services, printing and global supply chain operations.
“Helen brings significant global experience driving growth, transformation and customer-centric innovation across solutions, services, printing and global supply chain,” Avery Dennison president and CEO Deon Stander said.
Stander said Sheirbon will help build Avery Dennison’s position at the intersection of physical and digital products through digital innovation and market-focused solutions.
Södra
Swedish forest-owner association Södra has reshuffled leadership across three business areas as it looks to strengthen industrial strategy, commercial development and competitiveness across its value chain.
The changes, which took effect Oct. 13, affect Södra Cell, Södra Wood and Södra Skog.
From left: Marcus Asgarde, Peter Karlsson and Kim Gunnarsson Courtesy of Södra
Marcus Åsgärde has been named head of strategy and technology at Södra Cell, where he will work on industrial structure, product mix, investments and value-chain transformation alongside business area president Catrin Gustavsson.
Peter Karlsson has become president of Södra Wood and will focus on building on the unit’s industrial consolidation, commercial development and operational efficiency.
Kim Gunnarsson, previously head of raw material supply, has meanwhile been named acting president of Södra Skog, with a mandate that includes developing advisory and digital services for the association’s members.
“With the work ahead of us, it is about putting together the team in the best possible way,” Södra president and CEO Lotta Lyrå said, pointing to the executives’ respective technical, commercial and forestry expertise.
Södra represents more than 50,000 family forest owners in Sweden and operates businesses spanning pulp, timber, building systems, energy and biochemicals.