// VF Corp names new Vans EMEA vice president and general manager
// Michel Bilodeau, currently in a different VF Corp role in Canada, replaces Stefano Saccone
// Stefano Saccone had only been in the role since April before moving to fashion brand Woolrich
VF Corporation has appointed Michel Bilodeau as Vans vice president and general manager for the EMEA region.
Bilodeau will replace Stefano Saccone, who had only been in the role since April this year before moving to become chief executive of fashion brand Woolrich this summer.
Bilodeau, who has been with VF Corp since 2009, will move into his new role in October.
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He started with the retail company as the general manager for Vans in Canada before working his way up to become vice president, general manager of VF Outdoor & Action Sports for Canada.
There, he has been responsible for overeeing the Canadian businesses for VF Corp fascias like The North Face, Timberland, and Vans.
“Michel’s extensive experience… understanding of our direct-to-consumer business will strengthen our ability to drive growth and further connect with our consumers in deeper ways as Vans lives up to its commitment of serving as the icon of creative expression,” VF Corp EMEA group president Martino Scabbia Guerrini said.
Vans global brand president Doug Palladini said: “Michel has played an instrumental role in spearheading the growth and development of not only our Vans brand throughout Canada but also for other brands in the VF portfolio.
“As EMEA continues to be a critical growth region for the Vans brand, his extensive background and understanding of the marketplace will further enable our ability to grow and authentically connect with our consumers across the region.”
Prior to joining VF Corp, Bilodeau was a Partner at Sports Odyssee, a Canadian distributor of action sportswear.
Before that, Bilodeau worked for the Sports Experts Group, a Quebecois regional retail chain offering sports equipment, apparel and footwear.
“I am happy to be joining VF in EMEA and leading the regional growth of the Vans brand,” he said.
“As Vans remains focused on its ability to meet consumer needs across more than 40 unique EMEA countries, I am excited to work with the Vans leadership team to ensure we continue to strengthen these relationships and strategically grow our business.”
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