Aje Collective announces new chief product and merchandise officer

By Dean Blake

Fashion firm The Aje Collective has announced Teneille Oakley (pictured) will serve as the business’ chief product and merchandise officer effective June 2023. 

Oakley formerly served as general manager of merchandise at Kennedy, a luxury watch and jewellery retailer in Australia, and had prior stints at David Jones, Myer and the UK’s House of Fraser. 

“We are so excited to welcome such a talent. Edwina and I have worked with Teneille across her career and always admired her incredible eye for fashion and her dedication to customers”, said The Aje Collective’s group chief executive Adrian Norris.

Baby Bunting gets a new CEO, Mark Teperson

By Rakshnna Pattabiraman

Mark Teperson has been appointed as the new CEO and MD of specialty baby goods retailer Baby Bunting, effective 2 October.

Teperson has more than 20 years of experience across retail and fintech in a variety of disciplines including strategy, merchandise, product development, payment, growth marketing, store design and operations.

He joins the company from Afterpay where he was the global chief product and chief strategy officer.

Baby Bunting chair, Melanie Wilson, described Teperson as a “passionate retailer” and added: “Mark brings omnichannel retail experience, passion for the consumer and relentless pursuits of excellence.”

Of his appointment, Teperson said: “I am laser-focused on delivering unparalleled experiences and products and services that will truly captivate our customers.”

He replaces Matt Spencer who will step down from the role after 11 years with the business on 2 June. Spencer will continue with the company as an employee until 31 December to assist with the transition.

During this period, the company’s CFO, Darin Hoekman, will act as the interim CEO until Teperson takes the helm.

Nike announces senior leadership remix

By Dean Blake

Sportswear giant Nike has announced a number of senior leadership changes, with several executive-level staff taking on new responsibilities. 

Heidi O’Neill, president of consumer and marketplace, will now serve as Nike’s president of consumer, product and brand. Craig Williams, current president of Jordan, will now act as Nike’s president of geographies and marketplace. 

Additionally, the business’ executive vice president and chief financial officer Matthew Friend will take on the responsibilities of procurement, global places and services, and demand and supply management. 

Nike’s current chief operating officer Andy Campion will take on a new leadership role as managing director of strategic business ventures – serving to “identify and pursue new business opportunities and drive disproportionate growth”.

Finally, the business’ president of consumer creation, Michael Spillane, will retire later this year after 16 years. 

“These shifts will allow us to streamline our focus across product, brand storytelling and marketplace,” Nike’s president and chief executive John Donahoe said. 

Reece Plumbing announces next executive chair

By Dean Blake

Bathroom and plumbing retail giant Reece has announced group chief executive and managing director Peter Wilson will also serve as its executive chair “in coming years”. 

The business’ former chairperson and founder, Alan Wilson, Peter’s father, stepped back to an executive director role last year. In the interim, Tim Poole will serve as chairperson. 

“With the transition of my father Alan Wilson to executive director after over 50 years leading Reece, we have been through a period of deep reflection about what our next phase of leadership should look like,” Peter said in a statement to investors.

“That process reinforced for all of us that the purpose, values and culture that makes up ‘The Reece Way’, coupled with family ownership and leadership, is what enables us to take a long-term view.”

Poole said he is delighted to serve as the business’ interim chairperson, and that he looks forward to working alongside Alan, Peter, and the rest of the board. 

Reece also made a commitment to “enhance diverse and independent director representation” through a board expansion in due course.