Coats, the world’s leading industrial thread manufacturer and a major player in the Americas textile crafts market, announces that Fran Philip is to join the Coats Group plc Board as a Non-Executive Director, effective 1 October 2016. Fran has over 30 years of apparel merchandising, product innovation and branding experience having spent the majority of her career at LL Bean, the US retailer.
Fran is currently a Non-Executive Director of a number of US companies including Vera Bradley, the accessories brand; Totes Isotoner, the accessories manufacturer; Pacific Sunwear of California, the sportswear and fashion retailer; and Regent Holdings, a home décor designer and importer.
Mike Clasper, Chairman, Coats, said: ‘Fran’s extensive experience in the US apparel industry and relationships with major retailers and brands will support the continued growth in our core Apparel and Footwear business. She has a proven ability of understanding customer requirements, driving innovation and commercialising products; skills which will support the delivery of our goal of becoming the leading value added partner to the apparel, footwear and accessories industries, as well as supporting new product development in our Speciality business.’
Fran started her career as a Market Research Analyst at Star Market, the US grocery chain. She joined LL Bean in 1994 as Director of Product Development, Home Furnishings and went on to hold a number of roles including Vice President, Affiliated Brands, before becoming Chief Merchandising Officer in 2002 until she retired in 2011.
Fran also co-owns Sea Bags, a small business in Maine, US, which makes bags and other small accessories from recycled sails. Much of her focus is mentoring its product designers.
Fran has a degree in English and Sociology from Bowdoin College, Maine, and has an MBA from Harvard University.
ENDS