VF Corporation announced several organizational changes including the naming of Steve Murray as global brand president of the The North Face.
Previously VF’s president of the Americas Region, Murray replaces Arne Arens who has stepped down to pursue other opportunities outside of VF. As part of the organizational changes, VF has eliminated the role of president of the Americas.
In appointing Murray to lead The North Face®, VF said it is tapping into Murray’s extensive experience built over a successful 30-year career leading several global apparel and footwear brands. Murray served as president of Vans following VF’s acquisition of the brand in 2004 and was later appointed as president of VF’s Action Sports Coalition in 2009. He has also held leadership roles with youth and fashion brands, including serving as CEO of Airwair International (Dr. Martens), global brand president of Urban Outfitters, and EMEA president for Deckers Brands. Earlier in his career, Murray was the global head of apparel for Reebok International.
VF also announced that the leaders of its three core brands (Vans, The North Face and Timberland) and its emerging brands (all other brands in its portfolio) now report directly to chairman, president and CEO, Steve Rendle.
“As we work to become a more integrated brand-building company, we must operate differently and manage our Core and Emerging Brands in differentiated ways in order to help each of them achieve their full potential,” said Rendle. “As we do this, it’s critical that we place our strongest talent on our most important opportunities to drive long-term, sustainable growth across our portfolio and in all geographies.”
