HERZOGENAURACH, Germany – Global sportswear leader adidas has announced a significant leadership transition, appointing Birgit Kretschmer to its Executive Board effective 1 September 2026. She will officially succeed Harm Ohlmeyer as the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the end of the year, following his decision not to extend his Executive Board mandate beyond its current term.
The appointment marks the return of a seasoned adidas executive whose deep understanding of the business and decades of financial leadership position her to help guide the company into its next phase of growth.
A Leadership Transition Years in the Making
The succession plan was developed in close collaboration between Ohlmeyer, adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden, and the Supervisory Board, ensuring a structured and seamless handover.
Ohlmeyer has dedicated almost 30 years to adidas and has served as the company’s CFO since May 2017. During his tenure, he played a central role in strengthening adidas’ financial position while helping shape several defining moments in the company’s modern history.
His leadership extended beyond finance, contributing to major strategic initiatives that reshaped the global sportswear giant.
CEO Bjørn Gulden Welcomes a Familiar Face Back to adidas
CEO Bjørn Gulden expressed his confidence in Kretschmer’s appointment, describing her as the ideal person to lead adidas’ financial future.
According to Gulden, Kretschmer’s 25 years at adidas, combined with her six years as Chief Financial Officer at C&A, provide a unique combination of industry expertise, company knowledge and financial discipline.
He also praised Ohlmeyer’s contribution to adidas, highlighting his involvement in building the company’s e-commerce business more than 15 years ago, as well as overseeing the divestitures of TaylorMade and Reebok—strategic decisions that enabled adidas to sharpen its focus on its core brand.
Gulden added that Ohlmeyer played an important role following his appointment as CEO in 2023 and will continue to serve as an advisor to both him and the Executive Board.
Supervisory Board Recognises Ohlmeyer’s Lasting Legacy
Chairman of the Supervisory Board Nassef Sawiris thanked Ohlmeyer for his decade of service as CFO and his broader contribution to adidas over nearly three decades.
Sawiris credited Ohlmeyer’s strong financial expertise and operational leadership with helping steer adidas through challenging periods while supporting the company’s successful turnaround in recent years.
He also welcomed Kretschmer’s appointment, describing her as an experienced leader with extensive knowledge of adidas, the global retail sector and corporate finance.
Birgit Kretschmer Returns with More Than Three Decades of Financial Experience
Kretschmer brings more than 30 years of finance experience to her new role.
Before joining C&A as CFO six years ago, she spent 25 years at adidas, holding several senior leadership positions across the organisation.
Her previous responsibilities included serving as:
- Chief Financial Officer of adidas International BV
- Chief Financial Officer of Western Europe
- Senior Vice President Corporate & Operations Finance
In those roles, she oversaw critical business functions, including Accounting, Treasury, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), and Operational Controlling.
Kretschmer joined the adidas Finance Leadership Team in 2012 and became a member of the company’s Core Leadership Group between 2017 and 2020.
Beyond her executive experience, she also serves in non-executive positions at publicly listed companies Ceconomy and MisterSpex, where she chairs the Supervisory Board’s Audit Committee.
Preparing for the Future
From 1 January 2027, the adidas Executive Board will consist of:
- Bjørn Gulden
- Birgit Kretschmer
- Michelle Robertson
- Mathieu Sidokpohou
The new leadership structure reflects adidas’ commitment to continuity while positioning the company for its next chapter.
With Kretschmer returning to a business she helped shape for more than two decades, adidas is placing its financial future in the hands of a leader who understands both the company’s heritage and the evolving demands of the global retail and sportswear industry.
As Harm Ohlmeyer prepares to conclude an extraordinary career spanning nearly three decades, the transition represents both the closing of an influential chapter and the beginning of another for one of the world’s most recognised sporting brands.
