Shoemaker Bata Selects New CEO
The sixties and seventies generation of the previous century will remember fondly their Bata Toughees school shoes. But few know that a pre-world war Czech company was behind those shoes and that Bata is still around today, still making shoes, and still a major player in footwear.
This week, Bata announced it has appointed a new chief executive officer to run its global group of shoes and related footwear manufacturing and distribution companies.
Alexis Nasard is now leading Bata’s global branded, retail and e-commerce footwear business effective since April 4, 2016.
Nasard has been selected as Group Chief Executive Officer. Nasard assumed his new role this week Monday. He has 24 years’ experience in consumer goods of which 6 years at Heineken, most recently as President of the US$8 billion Western European unit and as Global Chief Marketing Officer for their extensive number of global and local brands.
“I am very excited at the opportunity to work with the Bata team to develop further the company and its brands, particularly the Bata brand, through a fast-changing consumer and retail environment, building on their strong assets and global footprint,” said Nasard.
During his 17 years at Proctor & Gamble, Mr. Nasard held various senior management roles including defining the strategies for new product categories and selling through various retail channels both in developed and emerging markets.
He holds an MBA from the University of California at Berkeley (Haas School of Business), and a Master’s in Engineering from St. Joseph University (Beirut).
“I am delighted to welcome Alexis who, with his impressive global background and strategic experience, will help us to identify global opportunities to accelerate Bata’s growth,” said Christopher Kirk, Bata Chairman.
Thomas G. Bata welcomed Alexis, “We share the same core values which fit the Bata culture. I am confident that through his leadership and team-building skills he will drive new growth and performance for the Group beyond its 122nd year.”
Bata was one of the first European companies to afford its employees a shareholding participation scheme. Its successful Human Resources model has served as case study for many academic studies and dissertations.
The Bata Shoe Organization is a leading manufacturer and retailer of quality footwear, with over 30,000 employees, 24 production facilities, 5,000 international retail stores, and a presence in over 70 countries.
