The supervisory board of Intersport International Corporation (IIC) has extended the mandate of Franz Julen as the chief executive of the retail organization ahead of schedule, making it run for five more years than previously planned, until the end of 2018. The news is not surprising, considering the very good track record of this former journalist, who is now 54 years old.
Julen, who formerly ran Völkl, joined IIC in 1998. As its chief executive since April 2000, he has overseen a period of swift expansion for the buying group in its existing markets as well as in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Under his leadership, the global retail sales of Intersport stores have nearly doubled, reaching about €9.9 billion last year. The number of countries covered has risen from 16 to 42, and it is expected to grow further in the next years.
Julen's 16-year tenure so far is no match for that of Jürg Stucki, who led the retail organization for 30 years, but it is much better than that of his predecessor, the Norwegian Martin Burkhalter, who lasted for only two years.
In the meantime, it has been reported that Julen has won this year's “Best of the Alps” award for 2012. The prize goes to personalities for their outstanding achievements in sports, tourism, and the cultural and political life in the European Alps. The Swiss executive, who is an avid skier as well as a runner and a tennis player, will receive the award during a ceremony in Munich on July 10, which will be attended by important guests from the economic, political and social sectors. The award is put out by the 12 members of the Best of the Alps – The Classic Mountain Resorts organization.
