Hanesbrands' Jonathan Ram is new Clarks CEO

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Mar 15, 2022

Clarks has a new CEO with the UK footwear firm appointing Jonathan ‘Jon’ Ram, who will take up the post next month. The Canadian national has “extensive footwear and apparel leadership experience” and it's perhaps significant given the more casual direction that footwear has been taking in recent years that much of that experience was with casual and sports-focused brands.

He was most recently Group President, Global Activewear at HanesBrands, where he led the growth of the global activewear business across multiple labels and businesses.

Before that, he spent 16 years at New Balance where in various roles he ran the Latin American, EMEA and North American businesses. 

He was “instrumental in leading transformation, growth, and profitability” in the EMEA business and then led the North America multi-channel business. 

Colin Li, Chairman of Clarks, said: “I am pleased to welcome Jon to Clarks as our new CEO. He brings significant global experience and understanding of the footwear and apparel market. In the last year Clarks has implemented a focused turnaround strategy designed to protect the future of the business, and to build a foundation for sustainable growth in the years ahead. This has resulted in an improved financial position. 

“With the appointment of Jon as CEO we now look forward to a new phase where we will focus on growing our business in current and new markets and channels, and Jon will take a leading role in taking Clarks to the next level.” 

Ram himself added that he’s joining “an iconic brand with a rich history in shoe-making craftsmanship, expertise and sustainability. It is truly an honour to be given the opportunity to lead the Clarks business and work with such a talented team. Significant progress has been made in the last year and my focus is on taking the company to the next level of growth and success. We have a lot to do, and I am excited to begin the journey.”