Tokyo, Japan: Nike Golf has announced two new appointments to its global senior management team, with Simon Parkhill appointed to the role of General Manager of Nike Golf Japan, and Brian Karl to the position of Commercial Sales Director of Nike Golf EMEA.
Since arriving at Nike in 2001, Parkhill has played a number of key roles for both the Nike Brand and Nike Golf including assuming the position of Nike Golf Sales Director of UK and Ireland in 2006 where he was responsible for the sales and distribution execution in those strategic marketplaces for four years.
Following a two-year stint as Sales Director of the Football Category for the Nike brand in the UK and Ireland where he worked in partnership with key sports marketing assets such as Arsenal and Manchester United to maximise their commercial potential, Parkhill returned to the Nike Golf team in EMEA as the Senior Commercial Director of Nike Golf EMEA in 2012.
For the last two years in that role he has been responsible for leading a team of 50, focused on accelerating the sales and profitability of this critical geography.
He said: “I have mixed feelings, sad to leave Nike Golf EMEA at such an exciting time for the brand and the business. We are poised to accelerate our growth in this market and in Brian we have the right person to lead that charge.
“But I’m equally excited to be taking up the challenge with Nike Golf in Japan; our potential for growth in that marketplace is unlimited.”
Parkhill’s 13-year tenure with the brand will continue in Tokyo, where he transitions with his wife, Louise, and their three children.
As successor to Parkhill in Europe, Karl has accepted the position of EMEA Commercial Sales Director. The 15-year Nike Golf veteran was most recently Director of Sales for National Accounts in the USA geography, bringing a focused approach to account specific strategic planning and a discipline on account profitability.
Prior to this role, Karl held numerous sales positions at Nike Golf in the USA, ranging from Territory Sales Rep to National Account Manager to Multi-Course Business Director. He has a proven track record of success and brings a strong commercial expertise, high level of strategic thinking and brand management to his new role.
“There has never been a better time to be with Nike Golf and I am excited to join the EMEA Team. With our stable of athletes and innovative products coming to the market we are poised for tremendous growth,” said Karl, who will be transitioning to Amsterdam with his wife, Monica, and their two children.
Commenting on the two appointments, Nike Golf EMEA General Manager Angus Moir said: “While we are disappointed to lose Simon from the EMEA business, I know that Brian will continue the great work that Simon has started as we reset our business model for 2015 and beyond. Our brand momentum is very strong after Rory McIlroy’s Open Championship victory and these changes will further fuel that success.”
Nike golf is a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.