Richard Collier is a backbone in the outdoor industry business. The last 17 years he spent working for the Norwegian outdoor clothing company Helly Hansen (Oslo), most recently in the role of Chief Product Officer. As Jack Wolfskin’s new CEO since December 2020, he especially is responsible for the further development of the strategic brand positioning and the ongoing internationalization process of the company. The outdoor brand currently employs over 1,100 people and operates 730 stores and over 4.000 sales outlets worldwide. Since its founding in 1981, Jack Wolfskin has been particularly committed to sustainability: it has been a member of the Fair Wear Foundation since 2010, a Bluesign system partner since 2011 and a member of the "Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC)" programme since 2012. In the podcast Richard tells me how he defines his task, he shares his opinion, what constitutes the transformation of Jack Wolfskin and why he believes in the power of cooperation.

📌 The episode with Richard Collier at a glance:

🎙 From minute 4:00: Richard describes his start as CEO in times of the pandemic, when a direct lock-down affected his and the employees first months together 🎙 From minute 8:00: We talk about Richard’s development he has gone through as a personality - a personal insight into the current demands. He shares with us a look at Jack Wolfskin's return to its roots in the outdoor business. He describes the developments in existing and new markets, using the Chinese market as an example. 🎙 From minute 15:00: We learn why Richard is looking into the future positively and why the digital transformation is working for the outdoor industry, also in relation to the adaptations of the pandemic. 🎙 From minute 20:00: Richard shares, how he defines his role as CEO and why building teams is essential for him – especially regarding the accumulated expertise, which he evaluates over his own. 🎙 From minute 22:00: We discuss the problem areas and potentials of the textile industry and why Richard as a personality stands for urgent collaborative change in the textile industry. He shares with us his take on the Supply Chain Act, circularity and the legal regulations that will impact the industry in the coming months and years. 🎙 From minute 30:00: Short and personal Q&A.

📌 Richard's film and book recommendation: Matthew Syed, Black Box Thinking and Diverse Thinking.

📌 How to contact Richard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-collier-322132/

📌 Further links - More about Richard Collier: https://ww.fashionnetwork.com/news/Richard-collier-becomes-new-ceo-of-jack-wolfskin,1261819.html https://www.oicompass.com/executive-changes/jack-wolfskin-has-found-a-new-ceo/85673.article