Adidas HR Chief Amanda Rajkumar Leaves, Latest Board Member to Depart Since CEO Bjorn Gulden Took Over

Adidas AG (ADSGn.DE) said on Wednesday that its human resources chief Amanda Rajkumar would leave the company at the end of the year, becoming the latest board member to depart since Bjorn Gulden took over as chief executive.

Rajkumar, who joined Adidas in 2020 from BNP Paribas, will be replaced by Pierre-Olivier Beckers, who is currently chief human resources officer for the Americas at the company.

Gulden, who took over as CEO in October 2021, has been shaking up the company’s management team. In March, he said that he would be replacing the heads of Adidas’s North American and Greater China businesses.

The departures of Rajkumar and other board members come as Adidas faces challenges in its core markets. The company’s sales in North America have been declining in recent quarters, and it is also facing increased competition from rivals such as Nike and Puma.

In a statement, Adidas said that Rajkumar’s departure was “a mutual decision.” Rajkumar said that she was “proud of what we have achieved together” at Adidas.

Beckers, who will take over as Adidas’s HR chief in January 2024, has more than 20 years of experience in the human resources field. He has held senior roles at companies such as PepsiCo and L’Oreal.

Analysis

The departures of Rajkumar and other board members suggest that Gulden is still in the process of reshaping Adidas’s management team. It remains to be seen whether the changes will be enough to turn around the company’s fortunes.

Implications

The departures of Rajkumar and other board members could have a number of implications for Adidas. First, it could lead to a loss of talent and expertise. Second, it could create uncertainty and instability within the company. Third, it could make it more difficult for Adidas to attract and retain top talent.

Conclusion

The departures of Rajkumar and other board members are a sign of change at Adidas. It remains to be seen whether the changes will be enough to turn around the company’s fortunes. You can also read about how Adidas is one of the 10 best companies to work for in retail.