Clarks Taps Former Zara Exec Victor Herrero as New CEO

LionRock Capital is preparing to write a new chapter for the troubled British footwear brand Clarks, naming a new chief executive officer with years of experience at high street giants Zara and Guess.

LionRock said it completed its purchase of a majority stake in Clarks for an investment of 100 million pounds. The deal was revealed last November.

Victor Herrero take up the role of executive chairman and chief executive officer, succeeding Giorgio Presca, who is stepping down to pursue other opportunities. The board thanked Presca “for his much-valued contribution to Clarks over the last two years.”

Herrero is a fast fashion and high street veteran, having served as CEO and director of Guess Inc. between 2015 and 2019. Prior to that, he spent more than 12 years at Zara parent Inditex, holding several senior roles, most recently as head of Asia Pacific and managing director of China.

He said he was eager to take Clarks “to its next level and partner with LionRock Capital and the Clark family to build a strong and sustainable future for this iconic and much-loved global brand.”