Wolverine Worldwide appoints Tom Long as lead independent director

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
Nov 7, 2022

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. announced the appointment of Nicholas “Tom” Long as lead independent director of its board of directors, effective November 4.

Long, a Wolverine Worldwide director since 2011 and current chair of the compensation committee, succeeds David Kollat, who will remain on the board.

A consumer brands veteran, Long brings over thirty years of experience to the role. From 2011 until his retirement in 2015, Long served as chief executive officer of MillerCoors LLC, a joint venture between two publicly traded beverage companies.

Previously, Long was chief executive officer and chief marketing officer of Miller Brewing Company. Before entering the beer industry, Long spent 17 years at The Coca-Cola Company as president of the Northwest Europe division, president of the Great Britain and Ireland division, and in several senior marketing positions.

"​We are very pleased to announce Tom’s appointment as our next lead independent director,” said Brendan Hoffman, Wolverine Worldwide’s president and chief executive officer.

“He brings an enormous depth and breadth of both boardroom leadership and management experience to the lead Independent director role for Wolverine Worldwide. Tom’s expertise in global brand-building, strategic marketing, and consumer-obsessed businesses will be critical in helping to set and deliver against the company’s strategic objectives.”

In its recently ended second quarter, ​Wolverine Worldwide posted revenue of $713.6 million, representing growth of 12.9 per cent versus the prior year. 

In August 2021, the company acquired UK activewear brand Sweaty Betty for £300m.