Change of Leadership: Amer Sports Has New CEO

Amer Sports - parent company of sports brands such as Wilson, Atomic, Suunto, Peak Performance or Salomon - has a new CEO: Heikki Takala has resigned after ten years as CEO and President of the Finnish sports equipment manufacturer and is now special advisor to the Board of Directors. This was announced by the company.

His responsibilities as CEO is taken over by James Zheng, also known as Jie Zheng. Zheng will also remain president of Anta Sports despite the new position. The Chinese company is part of the investor group that is the majority shareholder of Amer Sports.

The newly created position of COO at Amer Sports will be held by Michael Hauge Sorensen.

“The changes we have announced today are focused on accelerating the growth of Amer Sports’ business and brands. The company has come out of the period of COVID-19 uncertainty and is today in a solid position from which to embark on the exciting next phase of growth,” said James Zheng, “Heikki leaves his role as CEO with our great thanks for his leadership over the past ten years and we are delighted that he will be continuing his involvement with the group as a special advisor.”

Heikki Takala said,” My ten years at Amer Sports have been great. I have worked with brilliant people across the group and we can be extremely proud that we have built a significant global sporting brands group. Though I have decided to resign from my role as the CEO, I continue giving the group my full support as a special advisor and look forward to playing my part in helping contribute to the company’s next phase of growth under James’ stewardship.”