Kathmandu CEO Reuben Casey resigns, ‘heads for the hills’ The chief executive of Kathmandu, Reuben Casey, has resigned after 12 years working with the New Zealand outdoor wear brand. KMD Brands Group CEO Michael Daly described Casey as an integral part of Kathmandu during his time with the brand where he served as CFO and COO prior to taking the CEO role. “He has built a strong brand leadership team, leaving Kathmandu well positioned for continuing growth. We wish Reuben all the very best.
Kathmandu CEO Reuben Casey resigns, ‘heads for the hills’The chief executive of Kathmandu, Reuben Casey, has resigned after 12 years working with the New Zealand outdoor wear brand.KMD Brands Group CEO Michael Daly described Casey as an integral part of Kathmandu during his time with the brand where he served as CFO and COO prior to taking the CEO role.“He has built a strong brand leadership team, leaving Kathmandu well positioned for continuing growth. We wish Reuben all the very best.”KMD Brands owns and operates Rip Curl, Kathmandu and Oboz.Casey said that with such a passionate team culture, brand strength, desirable product offer and a blossoming international business, he has no doubt Kathmandu will go from strength to strength.In A LinkedIn post, Casey described his tenure at Kathmandu as “life-changing years”. “It’s been an absolute privilege to be part of the transformational journey we’ve been on. Welcoming Oboz into the whanau (family), becoming a certified B-Corp (company), joining forces with Rip Curl, achieving our Rainbow Tick, (and) relaunching the Kathmandu brand. Our best winter in 30 years.”He said he planned to spend time with his family, “some time out there in the hills exploring our spectacular backyard, and some time on the bike while I consider what the next challenge is.”Daly will act as interim CEO of Kathmandu until a replacement is found during the coming weeks.Earlier this month, the business reported a record winter promotional period in Australia helped boost its gross margins well above last year. It expects total sales to be around $960 million with underlying EBIT in the range of $53 million to $59 million.Lenard’s appoints new CEO, to replace founderPoultry franchise Lenard’s has appointed its former chief operating officer, Harry Rumpler, as its new CEO.Rumpler will succeed the company’s founder and director, Lenard Poulter, who said he would continue to oversee the business and look at various opportunities moving forward.Lenard’s New CEO, Harry Rumpler“This is certainly the next step for Lenard’s, and we are extremely excited about Harry’s appointment and commitment to his new role,” said Poulter.“Harry has demonstrated exceptional leadership and delivered strong results in the short time he has been on board, that have had an immediate positive impact on the business.”Prior to his role as COO at Lenard’s, Rumpler has worked in many roles,including CEO at IGA Fresh (Metcash), business advisor to the CSIRO, and various advisory board appointments. “After several months in the business as COO, I have been working within the business, understanding the different areas, and implementing new strategies,” said Rumpler.“I am excited about the opportunities ahead of us here at Lenard’s, and with the team, we are all looking very positively both within retail and franchise networks moving forward.”