Kizik, a Salt Lake City manufacturer of hands-free footwear, and its parent company, HandsFree Labs, have announced the appointment of Gareth Hosford as its new CEO, effective with the recent announcement.
“A proven footwear and fitness industry leader with more than two decades of experience scaling global brands including Nike, Converse and performance apparel startup Omorpho, Hosford brings a dynamic blend of corporate rigor and entrepreneurial agility as Kizik enters the next chapter of explosive growth,” the announcement said.
Hosford brings expertise in omni-channel strategy, licensing and direct-to-consumer business models to his position and will focus on scaling innovation, expanding global reach and unlocking new licensing opportunities through HandsFree Labs’ IP portfolio, the release said.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Gareth at a transformative time for Kizik and HandsFree Labs,” said Mike Pratt, founder of Kizik and HandsFree Labs. “His exceptional track record of building iconic global brands, coupled with a startup mindset and relentless focus on innovation, make him the right leader to help guide us through our next phase of growth. Just as importantly, Gareth leads with empathy and collaboration, essential qualities that will continue to empower and align our direct-to-consumer, wholesale and licensing channels as we accelerate our global growth.”
At Nike, Hosford spent over a decade in senior roles across global business units. He led growth strategies as global strategic planning director; developed category expansions in Nike’s Action Sports, Jordan and Tennis categories; and later managed licensing and retail revenue as director of global clubs and federations. He was also general manager of Nike Football UK & Ireland. He later joined Converse as chief commercial officer. Most recently, he led the launch and scaling of Omorpho, a performance wear and fitness equipment startup, as both chief financial officer and chief operations officer.
“I’m incredibly honored to join Kizik and HandsFree Labs at such a pivotal moment,” said Hosford. “In just a few short years, Kizik has achieved what most brands take decades to accomplish — transforming a simple idea into a category-defining movement. The brand’s momentum is extraordinary, and the opportunity ahead is even bigger. I’m thrilled to help lead the next chapter of this revolution in footwear.”
Former CEO Monte Deere, who has led the company since 2019, will remain on the board, where he’ll advise on the company’s licensing arm of the business.