Keds gets new president
US-based Collective Brands Performance has announced the appointment of Rick Blackshaw as president of the Keds brand. Mr Blackshaw has experience with brands including Converse, Timberland and the former division of Reebok, Avia, and most recently served as vice president and general manager for the Chuck Taylor All Star Division of Converse. He started in his new role on January 24 and succeeds Kristin Kohler Burrows who recently departed the position to pursue career opportunities closer to her home in New York.
Mr Blackshaw will report to Gregg Ribatt, president and chief executive officer of the Performance and Lifestyle Group (PLG) of Collective Brands, and will head all functions of the Keds team including product design and development, sales, marketing, merchandise planning and operations.
“We are thrilled to have Rick join and lead the Keds team. His background and achievements in the footwear industry are impressive, including generating significant growth across multiple brands,” said Mr Ribatt. “We look forward to his leadership and valuable contributions to our Keds brand as we drive market and product category expansion and share this iconic American brand with more and more consumers across the globe.”
