Dr. Martens names Ije Nwokorie as new CEO

Dr. Martens has named Ije Nwokorie as its new CEO, replacing Kenny Wilson, who will step down after completing his final year in the role.

Nwokorie currently serves as Chief Brand Officer, a role he has held since February 2024. He was previously an Independent Non-Executive Director at the British footwear business.

Prior to joining Dr. Martens, he held the position of Senior Director at tech giant Apple for more than six years.

Nwokorie will work alongside Wilson to ensure a smooth handover, before taking on the new role at the end of the current financial year. He will remain as CBO in the meantime, with his focus being on the brand and driving demand ahead of AW24.

Lynne Weedall, Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Nomination Committee at Dr. Martens, said: "Ije is an inspirational leader and his experience in helping drive DTC-led growth at Apple will be highly relevant in the coming years.

"He knows the company well, having been a Non-Executive Director for three years and we are already benefiting from his brand expertise since he joined as CBO in February. We are delighted that he will be the next CEO."

Wilson joined Dr. Martens as CEO in July 2018, having previously worked in the same role at Cath Kidston.

"Dr. Martens is an incredible brand powered by our fantastic people. After almost six years in the role, I feel that the time is right to hand over this year, and I am excited that Ije will be my successor," said Wilson.

"I have enjoyed working with Ije, both as a Board member and in the executive leadership team in recent months, and I have seen his brand knowledge and passion first-hand. I look forward to working with him closely in the year ahead."

The news comes as Dr. Martens warns over profits again in the face of weak US demand. The London-based company said its struggles have continued into the new financial year, with US wholesale revenues due to be down by double-digits year-on-year.

It said orders for items in its AW collection are "significantly down" against last year. The retail firm predicted the drop in wholesale demand could knock profits by around £20 million for the year.

Dr Martens also warned that it expects profits to be hit by around £35 million due to continued cost inflation and investments through the business. The group said, in a worst-case scenario, it believes profits for the new financial year (full-year 2025) could plummet to a third of levels seen in the previous year.