Shoe retailer Clarks has appointed the former boss of US sportswear brand New Balance as chief executive.
Jonathan 'Jon' Ram will join the Somerset-founded company next month.
The Canadian is taking over from Johnny Chen, who has been in post as temporary chief executive since Victor Herrero stepped down in November.
Mr Chen joined Clarks' board in 2021 and is vice chairman of Hong Kong-based private equity firm Lionrock Capital - the parent company of Clarks.
Mr Ram joins the firm from US clothing brand HanesBrands Inc, where he was group president of global activewear.
Before that, he spent 16 years at New Balance and was involved in the transformation, growth, and profitability in the Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) business and the North America multi-channel business.
Colin Li, chair of Clarks, said: “I am pleased to welcome Jon to Clarks as our new CEO. He brings significant global experience and understanding of the footwear and apparel market."
Mr Li said Clarks had implemented a turnaround strategy in the last year that was designed to protect the future of the business - and it had resulted in an "improved financial position" for the company.
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He said: "With the appointment of Jon as CEO we now look forward to a new phase where we will focus on growing our business in current and new markets and channels, and Jon will take a leading role in taking Clarks to the next level."
Mr Ram said it was "an honour" to be given the opportunity to lead the Clarks business.
He added: "Significant progress has been made in the last year and my focus is on taking the company to the next level of growth and success. We have a lot to do, and I am excited to begin the journey.”
The news comes months after Clarks resolved a dispute with workers at its warehouse in Street following a strike over a controversial 'fire and rehire' policy. In November, more than 100 Clarks staff at the shoe retailer’s Westway warehouse walked out over the policy saying it would reduce pay and conditions.
But Clarks said the move would help protect the future of the firm, which was founded in 1825, after it posted a record loss during the pandemic of £180m for the last financial year, including a £600m drop in revenue - down 45%.
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