Neither of adidas’ two new regional GMs came from outside the company: Claus-Peter Mayer and Olivier Gianina both rose through internal roles, a succession pattern that raises the question of how deep that bench really runs.
adidas has appointed long-time executive Claus-Peter Mayer as General Manager Central Europe, effective September 1, as the company reshuffles leadership across two key European regions. Mayer succeeds Marina Moguš, who is leaving the sportswear group after 19 years to pursue a career opportunity outside the sporting goods industry.
Mayer has spent more than three decades at adidas in a series of leadership roles. Most recently, he led the Southern Europe region from Paris. In his new position, he will oversee Central Europe, including Germany, adidas’ home market.
The Southern Europe role will be filled by Olivier Gianina from August 1. Gianina joined adidas in 2003 and most recently managed the company’s business in Brazil. Earlier assignments included positions spanning sales, supply chain, IT and business development.
Taken together, the appointments highlight adidas’ preference for internal succession in senior regional leadership roles. Both executives were promoted from within the organization and bring extensive international experience gained across multiple adidas markets and functions.
