THE CLIENT
Established Consumer Brand
THE SECTOR
Sport, Outdoor & Lifestyle
BUILDING PRODUCT & DESIGN CAPABILITY FROM THE TOP DOWN
The Brief
The business was entering a period of product evolution and needed to strengthen leadership across both Product and Design.
Two senior appointments were required: one to lead Design and one to lead Product, with both hires expected to help shape the future direction of their functions rather than simply maintain the existing structure.
The challenge was compounded by a constrained local talent pool and a highly specific requirement for leaders who combined strong technical credibility with a more contemporary outlook.
BUILDING PRODUCT & DESIGN CAPABILITY FROM THE TOP DOWN
The Approach
MacGregor Black worked closely with the senior leadership team to define what strong external leadership should look like across both functions.
The search focused on candidates already operating within sports, outdoor and fashion environments, with particular emphasis on technical depth, brand relevance and prior experience shaping product or design functions through periods of change.
Rather than prioritising volume, the process focused on a tightly controlled shortlist of individuals who could realistically make the move and create meaningful impact.
BUILDING PRODUCT & DESIGN CAPABILITY FROM THE TOP DOWN
The Result
Five candidates were presented across the two searches.
Two were appointed.
The hires brought complementary strengths across technical capability, product thinking and contemporary brand perspective, giving the business stronger leadership across two functions that needed to evolve together.
Both quickly began reviewing existing processes and identifying where further capability was required beneath them.
That became the next stage of the partnership.
MacGregor Black has since continued supporting the business with hires underneath its Product and Design leadership, developing the relationship from two senior appointments into a broader functional talent partnership.
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