Gap Inc. Names New Head of Gap Brand

Retail

As of Thursday, May 2, 2019

Neil Fiske, who has held top executive positions at Billabong International and Eddie Bauer, has been named the new president and chief executive officer of the Gap brand, a role he will assume at the San Francisco company on June 20.

Gap Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Art Peck said Fiske’s extensive career in the retail apparel industry and experience repositioning brands would be an asset to the clothing retailer.

“Neil brings significant retail and apparel experience to Gap Inc. and a track record of transforming and repositioning brands,” Peck said in a statement. “He is an experienced leader who deeply understands the mechanics of this business.”

Fiske most recently served as the chief executive of Billabong International. Earlier this year, he helped navigate a merger with the surfwear company’s rival Boardriders Inc., formerly called Quiksilver, based in Huntington Beach, Calif.

As the president and chief executive officer at Eddie Bauer, based outside of Seattle, Fiske repositioned the company by concentrating on the brand’s roots as America’s original outdoor outfitter.

“Gap is a truly iconic brand that is loved by its customers across the globe, and I am excited about the significant opportunity ahead for us,” Fiske said in a statement. “The brand has made some important progress, and I look forward to working with the team to drive improved performance, operational excellence, great merchandising, and distinctive and powerful marketing.”

Fiske replaces Jeff Kirwan, who was fired earlier this year after Peck said he started seeing operational missteps that were hindering inventory and causing late product deliveries.