KMD Brands appoints new Kathmandu CEO

KMD Brands Limited, the global outdoor, lifestyle and sports company, has appointed Megan Welch as CEO of Kathmandu.

Welch will be based in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, at Kathmandu’s head office, and takes over from Michael Daly, group CEO and managing director of KMD Brands, who has been caretaking the role in addition to his role at the group.

Daly’s role as group CEO and MD remains unchanged, and the incoming CEO will report to him.

It said that with “extensive” global brand and product experience, she joins Kathmandu from Crocs where she served as senior VP and general manager Asia Pacific in Singapore.

Having started with Crocs in its early days, joining pre-IPO, Welch has lived and worked in Europe, the US and Asia, and has a “reputation for driving revenue and profit growth” in the various leadership roles she has held during her tenure with the Crocs brand.

Welch will take up the position of Kathmandu CEO effective from 7 August 2023.

Daly said “We’re thrilled to welcome Megan into KMD Brands, as CEO of ANZ’s leading outdoor brand Kathmandu. She has a proven track record for growth, and strong international experience.

“Megan’s multi-channel expertise across retail, wholesale and digital, make her the ideal leader for Kathmandu as we continue to grow the business and expand our global presence. Megan joins the Executive Leadership Team at KMD Brands and will work alongside fellow brand CEOs Brooke Farris (Rip Curl) and Amy Beck (Oboz).”

Welch added: “I’m so excited to join Kathmandu, an outdoor brand with such a strong heritage and reputation for quality, sustainability and innovation. With the brand leading in the ANZ market, but new to Europe and North America, I’m looking forward to partnering with Michael and my new team to accelerate the momentum.”