Helly Hansen Group AS (Helly Hansen) new CEO Paul Stoneham took over Monday, Jan. 16 from Peter Sjolander, who stepped down after nearly eight years in the role.
During his tenure, Sjolander led the business through a successful turnaround during a time of difficult macros and into an expansion phase, taking the brand into new territories and product areas. HH has made a successful transition from a Scandinavian based company with a mainly export/distributor based international business, to a truly global operation with subsidiaries throughout Europe, North America, and an expanding footprint in Asia. While Scandinavia remains a fortress of strength and a growing business for HH, the company has seen dramatic gains in the U.S. and Canada over the last two years.
As a result revenues have more than doubled and the business has moved from making losses to being profitable. In 2014 the company achieved market leading rates of growth and the 2015 order book reflects an accelerated growth for both brand and business, a thriving uniform program, and several successful additions to its customer base.
“During the last 8 years Helly Hansen has not only radically grown its business and its global footprint, but it has also become recognized as the brand that perhaps better than anyone have merged form and function in its design and innovations. Its ’Scandinavian design’ message has proven to resonate with consumers around the world and the HH business has never been stronger” says Sjolander
“After 20 years in senior positions within the industry, I’ve decided that this is the right time to lead a somewhat different life. I’ll focus on taking a range of advisory and non-executive positions, as well as making tactical investments in non-competing private companies”. “I am also looking forward to finding some more time to play in the great outdoors” says Sjolander. Peter will remain a strategic advisor to HH, a shareholder, a passionate HH ambassador and a demanding product tester.
Paul Stoneham will succeed Peter as CEO from 16 February 2015
Paul is a successful and experienced CEO and global business leader. He has a noteworthy track record of building great brands, high performance organizations and companies that deliver industry-leading growth through breakthrough product design and innovation. Paul has operated in Helly Hansen’s key regions, having led international businesses for the past 17 years while having lived and worked in the USA, Germany, the UK, Canada and Switzerland.
For the past five years, Paul was CEO of ghd, a private equity backed prestige beauty care company. After rebuilding the company and doubling the business, he led the sale of ghd from Montagu Private Equity to Lion Capital. Prior to ghd, Paul was President of Global Business Development at Colgate-Palmolive, running the global categories. He also served as Managing Director of Boots Healthcare International where he led BHI to industry leading growth and US$1 billion in revenue while doubling profit, ultimately leading the record sale of the company to Reckitt Benckiser. Before BHI, he was President of Alberto Culver International after holding numerous brand/category management roles for Procter & Gamble in North America and Europe. He holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Western Ontario and a MBA from Harvard University.
“Helly Hansen is an authentic, unique and dynamic brand with a deep 138-year history. I’m looking forward to joining the Helly Hansen team and helping them successfully build on this strong heritage.” says Stoneham.
Paul will work closely with Peter through early February to take over the leadership of the company and begin building relationships with key stakeholders and staff.
Ketil Eriksen, chairman of Helly Hansen AS says “We are enormously thankful for the passion, leadership and service that Peter has provided over the years. We’re extremely excited to welcome Paul on board, and look forward to supporting him as he takes HH to the next level”.
