Gap Appoints Mattel Veteran Richard Dickson as President and CEO

Specialty apparel company Gap has appointed Mattel veteran Richard Dickson as its president and CEO, effective Aug. 22.

Dickson is currently president and chief operating officer at global toy company Mattel, where he “restored the company to growth” and was a leader in reinvigorating the brands Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price, Gap said in a Wednesday (July 26) press release. He has also been a member of Gap’s board of directors since November.

In addition to serving in senior management positions during two stints at Mattel, Dickson has been president and CEO of branded businesses for The Jones Group, co-founded online cosmetics retailer Gloss.com and served as an executive at Bloomingdale’s, according to his biography on Mattel’s website.

“Richard has invaluable expertise in areas critical to the work Gap Inc. is doing to strengthen the company for the long term,” Gap Lead Independent Director Mayo A. Shattuck III said in the release. “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.”

Dickson will step down from his position at Mattel effective Aug. 3, the toy company said in a Wednesday press release.

Mattel Chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz said in the release that the company and its board thank Dickson for his “tremendous contributions” and his work in developing Mattel’s brand and franchise team.

“Among his many achievements, Richard has led the growth of some of the world’s most iconic and purpose-driven brands,” Kreiz said.

In his new role at Gap, Dickson will lead a global apparel retail portfolio that includes Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, according to the Gap press release. He will succeed Gap Interim CEO Bobby Martin, who will remain chair of the board.

Martin become interim CEO in July 2022 when Gap’s previous president and CEO, Sonia Syngal, stepped down from her position and her seat on the company’s board after leading the company since 2020.

In Gap’s Wednesday press release, 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.”

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