Latest news with #HandsFreeLabs
Fashion United
03-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Kizik appoints new chief executive officer
Gareth Hosford was appointed chief executive officer of US footwear brand Kizik and its parent company, HandsFree Labs. Hosford has over 20 years of experience in the footwear and sportswear industries, with previous senior roles at Nike, Converse and sportswear start-up Omorpho. Under Hosford's leadership, Kizik aims to grow further, both online and in brick and mortar stores. His remit is to strengthen the brand's innovative capacity, expand its international presence and leverage the company's patented hands-free technology. Founder Mike Pratt said of Hosford: 'His exceptional track record in building iconic global brands, combined with a start-up mentality and a relentless focus on innovation, make him the right leader to guide us into our next phase of growth. Equally important, Gareth leads with empathy and collaboration, essential qualities that will continue to strengthen and align our direct-to-consumer, wholesale and licensing channels as we accelerate our global growth.' Former chief executive officer Monte Deere will remain on the board and will now focus on licensing strategy. In 2019, Kizik entered into a licensing partnership with Nike. Utah-based Kizik became known for its so-called 'hands-free' sneakers that can be put on without using your hands. Thanks to a special heel design, the shoes flex with your foot. The brand holds over 200 patents on this technology and sells worldwide, primarily through its own online channels. In 2022, the company raised 20 million dollars to invest in new products and stores. Since 2023, Kizik has also been available at department store chain Nordstrom and has opened its first brick and mortar store in Salt Lake City. This article was translated to English using an AI tool. FashionUnited uses AI language tools to speed up translating (news) articles and proofread the translations to improve the end result. This saves our human journalists time they can spend doing research and writing original articles. Articles translated with the help of AI are checked and edited by a human desk editor prior to going online. If you have questions or comments about this process email us at info@
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kizik taps Nike vet as CEO
This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Hands-free footwear brand Kizik has named Gareth Hosford its new chief executive officer, effective Monday. Hosford succeeds Monte Deere, who led the brand since 2019 and plans to spend more time with his family, the company said. Deere will remain on the board of parent company HandsFree Lab and advise on the business's licensing arm, according to an announcement. Hosford most recently was chief operating officer and CFO of performance apparel startup Omorpho, and before that, he held leadership positions with Converse and Nike. At Kizik, Hosford will be active in scaling innovation, expanding its global presence and growing its licensing business, per the release. Kizik has tapped a seasoned apparel and footwear executive to lead it into its next chapter of growth. At Nike, Hosford spent over 10 years in senior leadership positions, including as global strategic planning director and general manager of Nike football in the U.K. and Ireland. The CEO change follows other executive appointments at Kizik. Former Sperry executive Elizabeth Drori was named chief marketing officer last July, while Andreas Harlow, a 20-year Nike veteran who was global footwear creative director for the Jordan Brand, was brought on as Kizik's first senior vice president of design in November. As it looks to future growth, Kizik continues to seek ways to expand its product offerings and selling platforms. The brand has opened new stores in the U.S. and established partnerships to sell its products in the U.K., Japan, Canada, South Korea, France, Spain and more. The footwear company also launched its first pop-up location in New York City in 2024. Company executives feel that launching and licensing the brand's hands-free technologies may offer the biggest growth opportunity for the business. 'As we officially launch our HandsFree Labs technology brand, we expect it will become an ingredient across an even wider variety of the shoes you love from your favorite brands on the market,' Deere said in an email. 'We believe HandsFree has the potential to ultimately eclipse our Kizik footwear brand in enterprise value.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kizik and HandsFree Labs Name Industry Veteran, Gareth Hosford, as CEO to Accelerate Global Growth
Former Nike and Converse Executive Tapped to Lead the Rapidly Expanding Hands-Free Footwear Innovator SALT LAKE CITY, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kizik, the leader in hands-free footwear, and its parent company, HandsFree Labs, proudly announce the appointment of Gareth Hosford as Chief Executive Officer, effective today. A proven footwear and fitness industry leader with more than two decades of experience scaling global brands including Nike, Converse, and performance apparel start-up Omorpho, Hosford brings a dynamic blend of corporate rigor and entrepreneurial agility as Kizik enters the next chapter of explosive growth. Hosford's expertise in omni-channel strategy, licensing, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) business models uniquely positions him to steer Kizik and HandsFree Labs through their next phase of rapid expansion. As Kizik continues to evolve from a DTC disruptor to an omni-channel powerhouse, Hosford will focus on scaling innovation, expanding global reach, and unlocking new licensing opportunities through HandsFree Labs' extensive IP portfolio. "We're thrilled to welcome Gareth at a transformative time for Kizik and HandsFree Labs," said Mike Pratt, Founder of Kizik and HandsFree Labs. "His exceptional track record of building iconic global brands, coupled with a start-up mindset and relentless focus on innovation, make him the right leader to help guide us through our next phase of growth. Just as importantly, Gareth leads with empathy and collaboration, essential qualities that will continue to empower and align our direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and licensing channels as we accelerate our global growth." At Nike, Hosford spent over a decade in senior roles across global business units. He led growth strategies as Global Strategic Planning Director, developed category expansions in Action Sports, Jordan, and Tennis, and later managed $100M+ in licensing and retail revenue as Director of Global Clubs & Federations. As General Manager of Nike Football UK & Ireland, he delivered double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth. Hosford later joined Converse as Chief Commercial Officer, where he oversaw a global team of employees and led a $3 billion business across multiple markets. Most recently, he led the launch and scaling of Omorpho, a performance wear and fitness equipment start-up, as both CFO and COO. "I'm incredibly honored to join Kizik and HandsFree Labs at such a pivotal moment," said Hosford. "In just a few short years, Kizik has achieved what most brands take decades to accomplish—transforming a simple idea into a category-defining movement. The brand's momentum is extraordinary, and the opportunity ahead is even bigger. I'm thrilled to help lead the next chapter of this revolution in footwear, amplifying innovation, expanding our global footprint, and scaling our patented hands-free technology to redefine convenience, comfort, and performance for consumers around the world." As Hosford assumes the CEO role, Monte Deere, who has led the company since 2019, will remain a key strategic force—continuing to serve on the board of Kizik and HandsFree Labs where he'll advise on the company's licensing arm of the business. With global demand for HandsFree Labs' patented technology surging—and with existing partnerships that include industry giants like Nike—Deere's deep expertise in law, intellectual property, and M&A makes him uniquely positioned to scale the company's licensing strategy and maximize the commercial potential of its groundbreaking IP portfolio. About KizikBased in Lindon, Utah, Kizik is the industry's leading hands-free footwear brand, recognized for its groundbreaking innovations and stylish designs. Kizik holds more than 200 pending and granted patents, offering a frictionless and convenient footwear experience for men, women, and kids. To learn more, visit or follow @kizik. About HandsFree Labs HandsFree Labs is the industry's only hands-free footwear technology that provides world-class innovations – giving your brand a competitive edge in convenience without sacrificing comfort and style. The lab, based in Lindon, Utah, focuses on empowering world-leading footwear brands, such as Kizik, with innovative patented hands-free technology. To learn more, visit or follow @handsfreelabs. PR Contact: kizik@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Kizik
