Kizik names Nike, Converse veteran as CEO
“Hands-free” footwear brand Kizik has named a new chief executive as it grows its omnichannel presence.
Kizik and its parent company, HandsFree Labs, have announced the appointment of Gareth Hosford as CEO, effective today. He has more than two decades of experience at footwear giants Nike and Converse, as well as at apparel start-up Omorpho.
As Hosford assumes the CEO role, Monte Deere, who has led the company since 2019, will continue to serve on the board of Kizik and HandsFree Labs, where he will advise on the company's licensing arm of the business.
Hosford joins Kizik from Omorpho, having served as chief operating officer since February 2021. Prior, he spent more than two and a half years at Converse as chief commercial officer after spending more than 12 years at Nike in a variety of roles, including VP & GM, U.K. & Ireland.
"We're thrilled to welcome Gareth at a transformative time for Kizik and HandsFree Labs," said Mike Pratt, founder of Kizik and HandsFree Labs. "His exceptional track record of building iconic global brands, coupled with a start-up mindset and relentless focus on innovation, make him the right leader to help guide us through our next phase of growth. Just as importantly, Gareth leads with empathy and collaboration, essential qualities that will continue to empower and align our direct-to-consumer, wholesale and licensing channels as we accelerate our global growth."
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As Kizik continues to “evolve from a DTC disruptor to an omni-channel powerhouse” with brick-and-mortar store openings, the brand says Hosford will focus on scaling innovation, expanding global reach, and unlocking new licensing opportunities through HandsFree Labs' IP portfolio.
"I'm incredibly honored to join Kizik and HandsFree Labs at such a pivotal moment," said Hosford. "In just a few short years, Kizik has achieved what most brands take decades to accomplish – transforming a simple idea into a category-defining movement. The brand's momentum is extraordinary, and the opportunity ahead is even bigger. I'm thrilled to help lead the next chapter of this revolution in footwear, amplifying innovation, expanding our global footprint, and scaling our patented hands-free technology to redefine convenience, comfort and performance for consumers around the world."
Based in Lindon, Utah, Kizik holds more than 200 pending and granted patents for its footwear for men, women and kids.