Dr. Martens plc announced that Kenny Wilson has decided that this will be his final year as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company. As part of an orderly succession plan, and following a thorough search process, the Board announced that Ije Nwokorie, currently Chief Brand Officer (CBO), will succeed Kenny as CEO. Kenny and Ije will work together to ensure a smooth handover, with Ije becoming CEO before the end of the current financial year.

Ije will remain as CBO in the meantime, with his focus being on the brand and driving demand ahead of the important AW24 season. Ije Nwokorie was a Non-Executive Director on the Board from January 2021 until early 2024, when he joined the business as Chief Brand Officer, with responsibility for product, marketing and strategy. Ije was previously at Apple Inc, where he was Senior Director, Apple Retail from January 2018.

Prior to this he spent 11 years at global brand consultancy Wolff Olins, where he was latterly CEO, leading teams in offices in San Francisco, London, Dubai and New York. He is currently also Chair of water UK.