Shoe retailer Clarks has named Nick Cullen as its new Supply Chain Director, a newly created role for the business.

Cullen arrives from airport group BAA, where he was Chief Operating Officer (COO), while he also has huge experience in senior positions at global companies such as Mars, Diageo, DHL and Gap.

The Supply Chain Director role at Clarks will involve unifying the supply chain organisation for the entire group, across its UK, North American and international businesses, in order to deliver improved costs and customer service.

Clarks‘ new recruit, who departed BAA last summer and was in charge of operations at the airport authority during recent turbulent times for international travel such as when an Icelandic ash cloud grounded planes across northern Europe in 2010, will report to CEO Melissa Potter.

“Nick brings to Clarks a proven track record of success in end to end supply chain operations and planning,” Potter explained.

“We welcome Nick to Clarks and hope that his appointment demonstrates our firm‘s commitment to continuously improving the global service to Clarks‘ consumers and our business partners.”

Referring to his previous roles in manufacturing and distribution at a number of international firms, she added: “Nick‘s experience of working with top tier brands on a global scale position him well to support Clarks in the next stage of our own strategic development.”