Dr. Martens Plc has appointed Ije Nwokorie, previously serving as a Non-Executive Director, to the role of Chief Brand Officer, starting 1st February 2024. Upon assuming this role, Nwokorie will step down from his position on the Board and his involvement in various committees, including Audit and Risk, Nomination, and Disclosure.
The establishment of the Chief Brand Officer position marks a pivotal moment for Dr. Martens. This role, integral to the global leadership team and reporting directly to CEO Kenny Wilson, involves the oversight of the Global Marketing, Product, and Strategy divisions. The primary focus of this role will be to develop and implement a comprehensive brand strategy, setting the course for Dr. Martens’ future growth and expansion.
Bringing a diverse range of experiences to Dr. Martens, Nwokorie transitions from his role at Apple Inc, where he has been pivotal as the Senior Director of Apple Retail since January 2018. His career also boasts a significant tenure at the renowned brand consultancy Wolff Olins, where he served as CEO. Nwokorie’s leadership skills were honed across international offices in major cities such as San Francisco, London, Dubai, and New York. His current role as Chair of charity: water UK adds to his impressive portfolio.
Paul Mason, Chair of Dr. Martens, praised Nwokorie’s contribution and suitability for his new role, saying, “Ije has been a tremendous Non-Executive Director since he joined the Board in January 2021. He has deep insight and understanding of brands and has extensive global DTC experience. I am delighted that he’ll be joining the leadership team as Chief Brand Officer, a role for which he is perfectly suited.”
Kenny Wilson, CEO, also expressed his enthusiasm about Nwokorie’s new position, noting, “Ije is a visionary brand storyteller and this, along with his infectious passion for Dr. Martens, makes him the ideal person to lead the next era of our brand development. I am delighted that he will be joining my team in a permanent full-time position of Chief Brand Officer, which will be a crucial role to enable us to become a £2bn revenue brand.”
Reflecting on his appointment, Ije Nwokorie shared his excitement, stating, “I’ve always loved Dr. Martens and it’s been a real privilege getting to know the brand from the inside as a Non-Executive Director. Dr. Martens is defined by its rebellious, authentic and creative nature, all of which makes me really excited to be joining Kenny and the team early in the new year and to get to work.”
This strategic appointment underlines Dr. Martens’ commitment to reinforcing its brand identity and fostering growth, positioning itself for continued success in the global market.