Gant Taps Fredrik Malm as New CEO to Drive Brand Elevation and Retail Expansion

Gant, the Swedish brand with American roots, has announced the appointment of Fredrik Malm as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1st. This significant leadership change sees Malm, who joined Gant in 2024 as EVP Commercial, Brand & Product, stepping into the top role. He succeeds Patrik Söderström, who has steered the company as CEO for the past six years.

Malm brings a wealth of experience from the global premium fashion and lifestyle sectors. Prior to his tenure at Gant, he served as CEO of SNS. His impressive career also includes leadership positions such as President Europe & International at Coach, President of Sales EMEA at Ralph Lauren, and Retail Director at ECCO, showcasing a broad expertise across various aspects of the industry.

Gant has been a part of the privately-owned Swiss business MF Brands Group since 2008, a portfolio that also includes renowned brands like Lacoste, Tecnifibre, and Aigle. Thierry Guibert, CEO of MF Brands Group, expressed strong confidence in the new appointment, stating, “Fredrik has brought valuable and extensive leadership experience from global premium fashion and lifestyle brands. I have full confidence in his ability to support Gant in its next phase of development, which will notably involve the continued elevation of the collections and an accelerated retailisation across both physical and digital channels.”

Guibert also took the opportunity to extend his deep gratitude to the outgoing CEO, Patrik Söderström. He acknowledged Söderström's profound commitment over the past 10 years, highlighting his pivotal role in transforming and elevating the brand while consistently delivering strong financial performances throughout his leadership.

The company has actively pursued expansion and brand elevation initiatives in the past year. A notable milestone was the reopening of its Regent Street, London flagship in late May. The extensive refurbishment of the 6,300 sq m space was described as a key step in Gant’s global retail investments, signifying a worldwide initiative to enhance its retail experience, as articulated by Söderström at the time.

Further demonstrating its strategic focus, Gant has also been concentrating on its licensing agreements. In June, the brand announced the early renewal of its exclusive licensing deal with Marcolin for the design, manufacture, and global distribution of its eyewear, reinforcing key partnerships for continued growth and brand presence.