LeMieux, the leading global clothing, footwear and equestrian brand, has appointed James Davenport as chief financial officer and Richard Cotter as non-executive chairman, as the business enters its next phase of international growth.
Davenport brings more than two decades of senior financial and operational leadership, with a career spanning finance, strategy, manufacturing, supply chain, technology and business transformation. He joins LeMieux from Neal’s Yard Remedies, where he served as chief finance officer.
Prior to Neal’s Yard Remedies, Davenport spent more than 21 years at innocent drinks as chief operating officer, joining the business during its early growth phase when it had a small team and annual revenues of around £7 million. During his tenure, he played a key role in the transformation and international expansion of the business, helping it grow to approximately £470 million in annual revenue. He was involved in supporting the launch into new international markets, establishing the company’s own manufacturing facility and supporting a business that now sells more than one million drinks every day.
Richard Cotter joins LeMieux as non-executive chairman, bringing extensive experience in consumer, retail and international brand businesses. An experienced CEO and non-executive director, Cotter was previously Global Brand President of Berghaus, where he helped grow the business into one of the leading global outdoor brands, chairman of Jack Wolfskin the €350m German outdoor and lifestyle brand and the executive chairman of Jollyes Retail Group the fast growing pet retailer, supporting its rapid store rollout and successful sale in 2024.
He has also held a number of senior board and advisory roles across consumer and retail businesses and currently serves as chairman of The Sleep Group, Absolute Collagen and the Kindred nursery group. His experience in building brands, scaling retail businesses and leading organisations through periods of significant growth will be particularly valuable as LeMieux continues its international expansion.
Thw appointments come at an important stage in LeMieux’s development. LeMieux is the supplier of choice to world-class athletes, with a strong and highly engaged global community, the brand has built significant momentum internationally and continues to expand its product offering and reach.
As chief financial officer, Davenport will lead LeMieux’s global finance organisation, supporting the company’s continued investment in product innovation, digital capability, international expansion and operational excellence.
“LeMieux has built an exceptional brand with a passionate community, an outstanding reputation and an exciting vision for the future. I’m delighted to be joining the business at such an important stage in its journey and look forward to helping support its continued growth while maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit and customer focus that have made the company so successful,” said Davenport.
“James brings an exceptional combination of financial leadership, operational expertise and experience scaling internationally recognised consumer brands. His track record of supporting sustainable growth and building high-performing teams makes him an outstanding addition to our executive leadership team, and we’re delighted to welcome him to LeMieux,” said Dan Mahoney, CEO, LeMieux
On the appointment of Richard Cotter as non-executive chairman, Mahoney said: “Richard’s experience and leadership will be invaluable as LeMieux enters its next phase of growth. He brings a wealth of commercial and strategic expertise, and his appointment further strengthens our Board as we continue to build LeMieux into a truly global equestrian and lifestyle brand.”
The appointments reflect LeMieux’s continued investment in strengthening its leadership capability as the premium equestrian and lifestyle brand accelerates growth across international markets.
