Gap Taps Mattel Exec as New CEO

Gap Inc. (San Francisco) announced that its Board has appointed Richard Dickson President and CEO, effective Aug. 22. Dickson joins the apparel retailer from Mattel (El Segundo, Calif.), where he was President and Chief Operating Officer.

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

In its news release on the hiring, Gap described Dickson as the “lead architect in a global corporate transformation that has reinvigorated Mattel’s iconic brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price, as well as restored the company to growth and reaffirmed Mattel as an industry thought leader. “

Said Dickson, who joined the company’s board last November, “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.”

Interim CEO Bobby Martin, who held that title for roughly a year, will remain Board Chair to ensure a smooth transition, the company said.

Gap Inc. describes itself as a collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands that’s also the largest American specialty apparel company offering clothing, accessories and personal care products for men, women and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta brands. It operates a total of about 3350 stores and had fiscal year 2022 net sales of $15.6 billion.