German brand Jack Wolfskin has appointed Melody Harris-Jensbach as its chief executive, effective immediately. Michael Rupp, who had been at the helm since July 2012, decided not to extend his contract with the company, citing personal reasons.
Harris-Jensbach brings a career in product development, design and retail and has previously been a member of the worldwide boards of both Esprit, where she was Chief Product & Design Officer, and of Puma, where she was Vice-Chairman and Chief Product Officer.
“I am delighted to welcome Melody to Jack Wolfskin. She has 30 years of experience in the fashion retail and the sports industry and will take Jack Wolfskin on to its next phase of growth,” said Axel Herberg, Chairman of the Jack Wolfskin Supervisory Board. “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Michael for his exceptional contribution to Jack Wolfskin, notably for successfully leading its international expansion, and wish him all the best for the future.”
“I am very excited to be joining Jack Wolfskin,” Melody Harris-Jensbach said. “It is a business with an extraordinary heritage and brand loyalty. Those strengths coupled with ongoing product innovation and further international expansion give me huge confidence in Jack Wolfskin’s ability to cement its position in the sector and in its potential for further growth.”
The company reported sales of approximately $430 million in 2013.
