Adidas appoints new managers for W.Europe, emerging markets

Adidas has appointed internal candidates as new managing directors for western Europe and emerging markets as the German sportswear company overhauls its management under its new chief executive.

Adidas said in a statement that Alain Pourcelot, a 51-year-old Frenchman who joined the firm in 2005, is taking over with immediate effect as head of western Europe after Gil Steyaert was promoted last week to the position of global operations chief.

It also said Martin Shankland, a 45-year-old Australian who joined Adidas in 1997 and heads its business in Russia, will take over as head of emerging markets on Oct. 1 from Osman Ayaz, who is retiring at the end of the year.

Both Pourcelot and Shankland will report to global sales chief Roland Auschel.

Kasper Rorsted, who took over as CEO in October, said last week his top team was now complete after the departure of two managers who served for years under his predecessor and the appointment of the first woman since 1993.