Gap, Inc., the parent company of active lifestyle retailer Athleta, appointed Richard Dickson as company president and CEO, effective August 22, 2023.

“Richard has invaluable expertise in areas critical to the work Gap, Inc. is doing to strengthen the company for the long term. And we are thrilled to have his visionary leadership as the company redefines the future potential of Gap, Inc. and its renowned American fashion brands,” said lead independent director Mayo A. Shattuck, III.

Dickson will join Gap, Inc. from his most recent role as president and COO of Mattel, where he led a “global corporate transformation that has reinvigorated Mattel’s iconic brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price.”

In November 2022, Gap, Inc. appointed Dickson to its Board of Directors.

Shattuck added, “On behalf of the Gap, Inc. Board and management team, I want to thank Bobby Martin for serving as Interim CEO during this important time, and the teams who have moved quickly to simplify the company’s operating model, increase the speed and quality of decision making and restore its creative muscle—work that will pay back for years to come.”

Dickson said, “Gap, Inc. is a portfolio of iconic brands, known for having defined American style with bold thinking and making quality fashion accessible to millions. But it’s the work ahead that excites me most—the chance to work hand-in-hand with the teams to evolve Gap, Inc. for a new era. Under Bobby’s leadership, the team has begun to truly reset the company for long-term success, establishing a new foundation that I’m eager to build on.”

Bobby Martin will remain Chair of the Board and ensure a smooth transition. “Gap, Inc. has a rich heritage, with brands that have great meaning in people’s lives. Amidst a deliberate and thoughtful search process, it became clear that Richard was destined for this role at this moment. His experience as a proven transformational brand builder and belief in the power of inclusivity makes him a perfect fit for Gap, Inc,” said Martin. “I’m incredibly proud of the organization’s commitment to the success of this company, as they are embracing operational rigor, regaining product and customer obsession, with an eye on modernizing the way we work, all of which becomes a strong foundation for what’s ahead,” he added.

Photos courtesy Gap, Inc.