Former Clarks CEO Steps Back In Amidst Senior Staff Departures

  • Former Clarks CEO Victor Herrero back in control on an interim basis
  • Senior management departures hit the shoe retailer
  • CMO Tara McRae, SVP of commercial Willem van Rensburg and head of retail for UK, Ireland and EMEA Nick Hayward leave
  • Head of merchandising and planning Janine Carew, global kids and accessories category director Rosie McKissock, and global head of corporate affairs and sustainability Julian Hargood also depart
  • Constant turnover concerns workers over strategic direction and leadership structure

Former Clarks CEO Victor Herrero is back in control of the shoe retailer, at least on an interim basis, as it looks for a new CEO. The executive is calling the shots from his position as a board member of Clarks’ majority shareholder, Viva Goods, Retail Week reported. Herrero was previously Clarks CEO from February 2021 until exiting the company nine months later to be replaced by Jon Ram. The footwear giant’s ex-managing director Joe Ulloa is also thought to have returned to Clarks under a consultancy capacity. The business has been hit with a series of senior management departures. Chief marketing officer, Tara McRae, senior vice president of commercial, Willem van Rensburg, and head of retail for the UK, Ireland and EMEA region, Nick Hayward, are the latest team members to have stepped down from the British shoe manufacturer. McRae has stepped down from Clarks after eight years to start a new role at Puma as senior vice president of marketing and brand strategy in North America. Other staff members who have departed from the retailer or are in the process of leaving include head of merchandising and planning for the UK and Ireland, Janine Carew, global kids and accessories category director, Rosie McKissock, and global head of corporate affairs and sustainability, Julian Hargood. Insiders have claimed the constant turnover of senior staff has left workers concerned over the strategic direction and decision making of Clarks’ ownership and confused over its leadership structure, according to Retail Week.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about the changes in Clarks’ management and the reasons behind them, including the departure of former CEO Victor Herrero and other senior staff members. It also mentions the appointment of a Steering Committee to lead the business while searching for a new CEO. However, it lacks some details on the specific reasons for these changes and could provide more context about the company’s current situation.
Noise Level: 4
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the changes in Clarks’ management and staff departures but lacks a comprehensive analysis or insights on the reasons behind these changes and their potential impact on the company’s future.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Clarks’ stock price and investor confidence
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses changes in the leadership of Clarks, a shoe retailer, which can impact its financial performance and potentially affect the company’s stock price and investor sentiment.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There are no extreme events mentioned in the text.

Image source: desierto_atacama /

Mina San Josè

Reported publicly: www.retailgazette.co.uk