Former Clarks chief executive 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.
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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.
Speaking to the publication, a spokesperson for the brand said: “Following the departure of Jon Ram as CEO, Clarks chairman Colin Li and other directors formed a Steering Committee to lead the business while we search for a new CEO.”
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