Dr. Martens has introduced a new market-led operating structure and created a streamlined executive team as it looks to accelerate delivery of its consumer-first strategy.
The footwear brand said it has appointed general managers across its key markets, with dedicated leadership now in place for the UK, France, DACH, Italy and Japan.
The US will continue to be led directly by Paul Zadoff, president of Americas.
Together, those six markets account for more than 80 per cent of Dr. Martens’ global revenue, making the shift a significant structural change for the business.
The new appointments include Nick Duff as UK GM, Nathalie Schneider as France GM, Kristin Staeren as DACH GM and Giorgio Trevisan as Italy GM, with all four promoted internally.
Yoichi Oikawa has also joined as Japan GM, bringing experience from Champion and Adidas.
Dr. Martens said the move is designed to simplify the operating model and bring decision-making closer to the consumer, as it continues to pivot away from a more channel-led approach.
Alongside the market-level restructure, the retailer has also created a new executive team led by CEO Ije Nwokorie.
The group will oversee business direction and includes CFO Giles Wilson, chief brand officer Carla Murphy, interim chief operating officer Anna Duffiet, chief commercial officer Mike Stopforth, chief people officer Bridget Jolliffe, and chief legal officer and company secretary Katherine Bellau, alongside Zadoff.
As part of the changes, technology and strategy will now report into Wilson, while the newly appointed market GMs will report into Stopforth.
Rather than managing growth primarily through channel structures, Dr. Martens is putting more emphasis on market execution, consumer proximity and clearer commercial accountability.
Nwokorie said: “Over the past year we have reorganised our business and ways of working so that we are truly consumer-first, as opposed to channel-led.
“I am excited to work alongside our leadership team, combining experienced Dr. Martens leaders and world-class talent from some of the most desired global brands. They will each play a significant role in helping us to deliver against our strategy and scale the business in the years ahead.”
The restructure suggests Dr. Martens is now focused on turning strategy into execution, with a model built around stronger market ownership and a tighter leadership framework.
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