German sportswear maker today announced a top level management change by appointing Mr Claus Heckerott as Managing Director for Adidas Group India in place of Mr Subhinder Singh Prem who has quit with immediate effect.
Mr Prem, who has been the Group’s India Managing Director, and Mr Vishnu Bhagat, COO, have both left with immediate effect, Adidas said in a statement.
Adidas India further said Mr Frederic Serrant has been appointed as Sales Director with effect from April 1, 2012.
Mr Prem, who was earlier Managing Director of Reebok India and associated with the brand for over 15 years, took over as the MD of Adidas Group India last year.
The company did not specify reasons behind the change.
When contacted Mr Prem declined to comment on reasons for the exit and his future plans.
Mr Heckerott, a Canadian national, has 14 years of senior management experience within the Adidas Group, the statement said, adding till recently he held the position of Vice- President –Finance, Global Sales.
Mr Heckerott will report to Roland Auschel, Adidas Group’s Chief Sales Officer Multichannel Markets.
Mr Serrant, a French national, joined the Indian team in January. He has been Sales Director since 2007 in the company’s French operations. He will report to Mr Claus Heckerott, the statement added.
A leading player in India’s sportswear market the group has strong brands like adidas, Reebok and TaylorMade — adidas Golf.