and development, transformation, innovation and digital, data and analytics across consumer and retail businesses.  Bansal will report directly to Foot Locker chairperson and CEO Richard Johnson, and oversee the retailer’s global transformation strategy, driving organisational outcomes through a relentless focus on the customer, growth, and innovation.  Mighty Ape names new CEO as founder moves to CFO role Online retailer Kogan has appointed Gracie MacKinlay as CEO of its New Zealand subsidiary Mighty Ape. MacKinlay is currently chief sales and marketing officer at Mighty Ape and will commence her new role on Monday (6 June). “I have really enjoyed working with the Kogan team over the past year-and-a-half, and look forward to further driving growth and cost synergies, as well as value, across the broader Kogan business,” she said. Simon Barton, Mighty Ape’s founder, will move from CEO to CFO. He said MacKinlay has played a pivotal role in the executive team for more than a decade. “Having founded Mighty Ape 14 years ago, I have seen the business grow into a leading New Zealand online retailer. I look forward to working with Gracie and the incredible team at both Kogan and Mighty Ape,” he added. Kogan’s portfolio of retail businesses includes Kogan Marketplace, Kogan Retail, Kogan Internet, Kogan Travel, Kogan Insurance, Kogan Cars, Dick Smith, Matt Blatt, and Mighty Ape. Meta Platforms names COO following Sheryl Sandberg’s departure Meta Platforms COO Sheryl Sandberg, whose close partnership with CEO Mark Zuckerberg powered the growth of the world’s biggest social network, is leaving the company after 14 years, she announced in a Facebook post on 1 June. Sandberg’s departure marks the end of an era for Facebook-owner Meta, which is shifting its focus toward hardware products and the metaverse after years of scandals over privacy abuses and the spread of conspiratorial content on its platforms. The second-in-command to Zuckerberg, Sandberg is one of the most visible executives at the company and the lead architect of its often-criticised ads business model. “When I took this job in 2008, I hoped I would be in this role for five years. Fourteen years later, it is time for me to write the next chapter of my life,” she wrote. Chief growth officer Javier Olivan will take over as COO, Zuckerberg said in a separate Facebook post, although he added that he did not plan to replace Sandberg’s role directly within the company’s existing structure. “I think Meta has reached the point where it makes sense for our product and business groups to be more closely integrated, rather than having all the business and operations functions organised separately from our products,” he said. Olivan has worked at Meta for more than 14 years and has led teams handling Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Sandberg said in her post that she would continue to serve on Meta’s board after leaving the company later this year. Hong Kong mall operator bolsters management team Link Asset Management, the manager of Link REIT, has announced the appointment of three seasoned executives to its management team.  Ronald Tham joins the Hong Kong mall operator as chief corporate development officer, Haiqun Zhu as managing director of Mainland China, and Kenny Lam as chief investment officer (strategic investment). Tham and Lam will report to Link CEO George Hongchoy, while Zhu will report to Link CFO Kok-siong Ng, who is responsible for the Mainland market.  The news follows the appointment of Greg Chubb as COO of international in April. “These senior appointments will put us in an even better position to tap into the business prospects that the region presents,” Hongchoy said. “By further leveraging our platform and scale, we can capture both organic and inorganic growth opportunities and look to the future with even more confidence.” Link has also announced that chief strategy officer Eric Yau has stepped down from his role for a sabbatical, after a tenure of 12 years. “Eric has played an instrumental role in our growth and transformation. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Eric for his tremendous contribution and wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” Hongchoy said.