Gym+Coffee has hired Jason Crawford, formerly of Nike and Adidas, as CEO, as the Ireland-based athleisure brand’s three founders — Niall Horgan, Diarmuid McSweeney and Karl Swaine — step away from day-to-day operations.
Crawford spent 12 years at Hewlett-Packard in Boise, ID, before joining Nike in 2012, first serving as head of Digital Product for North America and later working in the global launch and SNKRS Division, focusing on digital go-to-market strategies. Subsequently, Crawford joined Adidas operations in Amsterdam as Global vice president.
As part of the company’s realignment, Horgan will assume the role of chairman.
Niall Horgan, Diarmuid McSweeney, and Karl Swaine founded the Dublin-based brand in 2017 and operate seven stores in Ireland.
“We believe G+C is starting a new chapter. And, so, we’ve made the decision, as a founding trio, to step back from the day-to-day operations of Gym+Coffee,” the founders said in a post on Gym+Coffee’s website. “As you can imagine, this wasn’t a decision we took lightly. And it’s hard to capture everything we feel in one short letter. But at its heart, it came down to this: after nine incredible years of building Gym+Coffee, it feels like the right time, for us personally, and for the business as it enters its next chapter of growth.”
The note on the company’s website continues that the business is “stronger, healthier and more exciting than ever,” with sales up 100 percent year-over-year in the UK and the brand securing close to 70 wholesale partners outside of Ireland.
The three founders continued, “That’s why now feels like the right moment, if there ever is a perfect moment, to take a step back.
“A new chapter requires fresh leadership, and we’re thrilled to welcome Jason Crawford as the new CEO of Gym+Coffee. With his experience at Nike and Adidas, Jason brings exactly the kind of global expertise, energy, and leadership we believe the business needs to scale even further internationally. And while our day-to-day roles will change, we’re excited to support Jason, the team, and the brand however we can going forward.”
Image courtesy Gym+Coffee
