Kontoor Brands, Inc., the owner of the Wrangler and Lee jeans brands, has announced the appointment of Elizabeth M. Smith as its new chief financial officer, effective March 1, 2024..
Smith will succeed Sid Keswani, who will retire from the company on February 28, 2024, after holding this position since 2019. Smith will report directly to Scott Baxter, Kontoor Brands’ chairman and chief executive officer..
Baxter stated, ‘We are thrilled to welcome Elizabeth to Kontoor Brands as our new chief financial officer. She is a proven financial leader with a wealth of experience in the retail and consumer products industries, including significant M&A experience. Elizabeth’s expertise and strategic insights will be invaluable as we continue to execute our growth plans and deliver long-term value for our shareholders.’.
Smith has extensive experience in the retail and consumer products industries, having held various leadership roles at PVH Corp. for 17 years, including serving as CFO of its Calvin Klein business. She also worked as CFO of G-III Apparel Group’s Donna Karan and Vilebrequin businesses..
Smith commented, ‘I am excited to join Kontoor Brands at this pivotal time in its journey. I am impressed by the company’s strong brands, talented team, and track record of success. I look forward to working with Scott and the leadership team to further strengthen Kontoor Brands’ financial position and drive profitable growth.’.
Prior to joining Kontoor Brands, Smith held leadership positions at Deloitte & Touche LLP and private equity firm The Blackstone Group. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a certified public accountant..
Keswani, who has led Kontoor Brands’ finance function since its inception in 2019, will retire on February 28, 2024, after a storied 40-year career in finance..
Baxter expressed his gratitude for Keswani’s contributions, saying, ‘Sid’s leadership and expertise have been instrumental in Kontoor Brands’ success since its spin-off from VF Corporation. He has played a key role in shaping our financial strategy and driving strong financial performance. On behalf of the entire Kontoor Brands team, we thank Sid for his dedication and wish him all the best in his retirement.’.
