UK activewear giant Gymshark strengthens its leadership team by appointing Sian Keane as Chief People Officer.
- Sian Keane, with over a decade of experience at Farfetch, brings profound expertise in talent and people management.
- Keane’s appointment aligns with Gymshark’s strategy to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent.
- The addition of Keane follows other significant leadership hires by Gymshark this year.
- Gymshark aims to fortify its global presence and organizational culture under Keane’s leadership.
The UK-based activewear company Gymshark has strategically enhanced its executive team by bringing on board Sian Keane as the Chief People Officer. Keane joins Gymshark following an impressive tenure at luxury etailer Farfetch, where she was instrumental in various senior roles over an 11-year period. Her positions at Farfetch included the chief people officer from 2018 to 2024, executive vice-president of people from 2017 to 2018, and vice-president of talent and people from 2016 to 2017, underscoring her extensive experience in the field.
In her new capacity at Gymshark, Keane is set to helm the company’s people strategy, emphasizing the attraction, development, and retention of talent. This move comes as Gymshark seeks to further solidify its brand and operational foundation, echoing the sentiments of the founder and CEO, Ben Francis, who expressed the importance of having unparalleled talent to propel the company’s ambitious goals. Francis remarked, “It’s no secret that I want Gymshark to become a brand that outlives us all. To achieve this, we need the very best people driving us forward and sharing this ambition – they are comfortably our most important asset.”
This significant hire is part of a broader pattern of strategic leadership appointments at Gymshark. Earlier this year, the brand also welcomed Hannah Mercer, a former global vice-president at Adidas, and Kim Dolder, an ex-senior vice-president at Abercrombie & Fitch, to newly created pivotal roles within the company. These moves underscore Gymshark’s commitment to bolstering its executive team with individuals who possess strong industry insights and leadership acumen.
Keane’s role is poised to play a critical part in Gymshark’s quest to enhance its international footprint and foster an enriching workplace environment. Her involvement as a founding member of the Fashion Minority Alliance’s education and community partnerships committee further illustrates her dedication to nurturing diverse talent within the fashion industry. This aligns with Gymshark’s broader goals of fostering an inclusive and dynamic corporate culture.
Sian Keane’s appointment as CPO marks a pivotal step in Gymshark’s strategic expansion and talent management initiatives.
