Puma
German sportswear brand Puma has appointed Thomas John as its new Vice President of People and Organization, effective October 16.
In his new role, Thomas John will succeed Dietmar Knoess, who is leaving the company to pursue new interests. John will be responsible for overseeing Puma’s human resources strategy and organizational development, reporting directly to CEO Arthur Hoeld.
Most recently, Thomas John served as Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources at Landis+Gyr, a global provider of energy management and smart metering solutions, where he led a large-scale transformation program and drove HR strategies across more than 30 countries. With nearly 30 years of experience in human resources, he has held leadership roles across multiple industries, including sporting goods, aviation, automotive, and energy solutions. Prior to joining Landis+Gyr, Thomas John held various senior HR leadership positions at companies such as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, adidas, and Mann+Hummel.
Converse
Converse, a subsidiary of U.S.-based Nike, has appointed Chavon Webster as Vice President of Global Footwear and Design.
In her new role, Chavon Webster will be based in Boston.
Prior to this appointment, she served as Senior Director of Women’s Sport and Training Footwear at Nike. She joined the brand in 2022 as Director of Kids Lifestyle Footwear. Before joining Nike, she worked at New Balance for nearly eight years, holding roles such as Senior Project Manager of Cultural Moments, Senior Product Manager of Lifestyle Apparel, and Global Product Manager of Lifestyle Footwear.
Scott
Swiss cycling brand Scott Sports SA has appointed Matt Heitmann as the company’s first-ever Chief Growth Officer.
In this role, Matt Heitmann will oversee both marketing and digital functions at the brand’s headquarters in Givisiez, Switzerland. He succeeds Reto Aeschbacher, who led Scott’s global marketing efforts for nearly 30 years. Aeschbacher will remain with the company until the end of September to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.
Matt Heitmann joined Scott in 2024 as Chief Marketing Officer for Scott USA, the brand’s U.S. subsidiary. He brings over 25 years of experience in business management, brand strategy, digital and growth marketing, customer service, e-commerce, and commercial operations. He previously held leadership positions at sports companies—particularly in the cycling sector—such as Signa Sports United, BMC, Canyon Bicycles, USA Cycling, and Backcountry.
Pascal Ducrot, Co-CEO of Scott, stated that the appointment marks a significant step in the company’s long-term strategy. “His international experience and deep understanding of the brand will complement the excellent work already done by our global teams. Together, we will continue to strengthen our consumer focus and further develop our digital capabilities.”
｜Source: Official press releases, SGB Media
｜Image Credit: Personal social media accounts
｜Editor: LeZhi
