Business built on relationships
Take a look at some
of our clients
Business built on relationships
Take a look at some
of our clients
Our Clients
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Puma is the third largest global sports, apparel and footwear brand, who specialise in designing, developing, selling, and marketing products for numerous sports and activities. Founded in 1948 the German retailer has since expanded its business to over 120 countries employing over 16,000 employees, achieving €7.9 billion in revenue in 2022.
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Client Showcase
Since 1920, New Era has been the world’s premier headwear brand. Its products transcend time, culture, sport and fashion, and allow you to express your personality and style. Although New Era is rooted in sports heritage as the official on-field cap of Major League Baseball, they have evolved into a brand that can be seen on the runways of Paris during Fashion Week through its collaborations with streetwear labels like Supreme and BAPE.
Virtua have been a strategic partner of New Era for several years, assisting with their search for best in class talent to support their ambitious European growth plans. We have made over 40 key placements across New Era’s major European subsidiaries covering sales, marketing, product, operations and general management.
Since 1920, New Era has been the world’s premier headwear brand. Its products transcend time, culture, sport and fashion, and allow you to express your personality and style. Although New Era is rooted in sports heritage as the official on-field cap of Major League Baseball, they have evolved into a brand that can be seen on the runways of Paris during Fashion Week through its collaborations with streetwear labels like Supreme and BAPE.
Virtua have been a strategic partner of New Era for several years, assisting with their search for best in class talent to support their ambitious European growth plans. We have made over 40 key placements across New Era’s major European subsidiaries covering sales, marketing, product, operations and general management.
VF Corporation is a global apparel and footwear company boasting an impressive brand portfolio which includes some of the world’s most recognised and respected brands such as The North Face, Vans, Timberland, Wrangler, Lee, Dickies, and Kipling. The company’s products are sold in more than 170 countries through a variety of channels, including owned and operated stores, wholesale distribution, and e-commerce.
Key hires: VP Marketing EMEA – VANS, VP Marketing EMEA – The North Face, Sales Director EMEA – VANS
VF Corporation is a global apparel and footwear company boasting an impressive brand portfolio which includes some of the world’s most recognised and respected brands such as The North Face, Vans, Timberland, Wrangler, Lee, Dickies, and Kipling. The company’s products are sold in more than 170 countries through a variety of channels, including owned and operated stores, wholesale distribution, and e-commerce.
Key hires: VP Marketing EMEA – VANS, VP Marketing EMEA – The North Face, Sales Director EMEA – VANS
Metyis is a global management consulting firm that helps companies drive growth and innovation through data-driven insights and strategic advice. Metyis combines deep industry expertise with advanced analytical capabilities to deliver customised solutions that help clients achieve their business objectives.
Now operating across 15 locations, most recently Spain, Portugal, India, and the United Kingdom. With a global workforce of more than 900 employees, they are now a global player across the consulting discipline. Virtua work closely with Metyis on a number of key hires for their clients specifically within the retail sector.
Key hires: Digital Campus Director, Marketplaces Director, Digital Technology Lead, Ecommerce Project Expert, Performance Marketing Lead, and Ecommerce Operations Expert.
Metyis is a global management consulting firm that helps companies drive growth and innovation through data-driven insights and strategic advice. Metyis combines deep industry expertise with advanced analytical capabilities to deliver customised solutions that help clients achieve their business objectives.
Now operating across 15 locations, most recently Spain, Portugal, India, and the United Kingdom. With a global workforce of more than 900 employees, they are now a global player across the consulting discipline. Virtua work closely with Metyis on a number of key hires for their clients specifically within the retail sector.
Key hires: Digital Campus Director, Marketplaces Director, Digital Technology Lead, Ecommerce Project Expert, Performance Marketing Lead, and Ecommerce Operations Expert.
Crocs is a global footwear brand that specialises in comfortable and durable casual shoes. Their signature shoe features a distinctive clog design made from a proprietary foam resin called Croslite, which is known for its lightweight and cushioning properties. They were the second fastest growing brand in the United States in 2022 and have ambitious growth plans, targeting $5billion in sales by 2025.
Key hires: Head of Analytics EMEA, Head of Pureplay Sales EMEA, Head of Sales UK&I (Heydude)
Crocs is a global footwear brand that specialises in comfortable and durable casual shoes. Their signature shoe features a distinctive clog design made from a proprietary foam resin called Croslite, which is known for its lightweight and cushioning properties. They were the second fastest growing brand in the United States in 2022 and have ambitious growth plans, targeting $5billion in sales by 2025.
Key hires: Head of Analytics EMEA, Head of Pureplay Sales EMEA, Head of Sales UK&I (Heydude)
BasicNet is an Italian company that operates in the fashion and sportswear industry. The company was founded in 1994 by Marco Boglione and is headquartered in Turin, Italy. BasicNet has a portfolio of over 15 brands, including Kappa, Robe di Kappa, Superga, K-Way, Briko, and Sebago.
Virtua play a pivotal role in assisting with strategic hires across BasicNet’s portfolio of brands helping source best in class talent for a number of roles including: Head of Brand – Superga, Head of Brand -Kappa, Head of Marketing – Kappa
BasicNet is an Italian company that operates in the fashion and sportswear industry. The company was founded in 1994 by Marco Boglione and is headquartered in Turin, Italy. BasicNet has a portfolio of over 15 brands, including Kappa, Robe di Kappa, Superga, K-Way, Briko, and Sebago.
Virtua play a pivotal role in assisting with strategic hires across BasicNet’s portfolio of brands helping source best in class talent for a number of roles including: Head of Brand – Superga, Head of Brand -Kappa, Head of Marketing – Kappa
Puma is the third largest global sports, apparel and footwear brand, who specialise in designing, developing, selling, and marketing products for numerous sports and activities. Founded in 1948 the German retailer has since expanded its business to over 120 countries employing over 16,000 employees, achieving €7.9 billion in revenue in 2022.
Puma’s strategic vision is to be the fastest sports brand in the world, and to achieve this, the company is continually investing in key areas to improve its operations to meet the evolving needs of its customers. As a strategic partner of Puma for several years, Virtua has assisted with various key hires across multiple disciplines within the business and its regions. Our placements have gone on to do great things within Puma and assisting with improving its overall operations.
Key hires: Head of Ecommerce – Europe, Sr Head of Performance Marketing – Europe, Head of Planning & Allocation – Europe. Head of Ecommerce – Oceania, Global Head of Digital Marketing, Global Head of Ecommerce, Global Creative Director – Sportstyle Footwear.
Puma is the third largest global sports, apparel and footwear brand, who specialise in designing, developing, selling, and marketing products for numerous sports and activities. Founded in 1948 the German retailer has since expanded its business to over 120 countries employing over 16,000 employees, achieving €7.9 billion in revenue in 2022.
Puma’s strategic vision is to be the fastest sports brand in the world, and to achieve this, the company is continually investing in key areas to improve its operations to meet the evolving needs of its customers. As a strategic partner of Puma for several years, Virtua has assisted with various key hires across multiple disciplines within the business and its regions. Our placements have gone on to do great things within Puma and assisting with improving its overall operations.
Key hires: Head of Ecommerce – Europe, Sr Head of Performance Marketing – Europe, Head of Planning & Allocation – Europe. Head of Ecommerce – Oceania, Global Head of Digital Marketing, Global Head of Ecommerce, Global Creative Director – Sportstyle Footwear.
JD Sports is a global sportswear retailer renowned for its wide range of athletic footwear, clothing, and accessories. The brand offers exclusive products and collaborations with athletes and celebrities, and has a strong online presence for convenient shopping with revenue topping £9.56 billion last year.
Key hire: Global Creative Director
JD Sports is a global sportswear retailer renowned for its wide range of athletic footwear, clothing, and accessories. The brand offers exclusive products and collaborations with athletes and celebrities, and has a strong online presence for convenient shopping with revenue topping £9.56 billion last year.
Key hire: Global Creative Director
Scotch & Soda is a Dutch fashion brand known for its distinctive style that combines classic and contemporary designs. Offering a range of clothing, accessories, and home goods which channel individuality, authenticity and the power of self-expression.
Key Hires: Global Ecommerce Director, Merchandising Director, Menswear
Scotch & Soda is a Dutch fashion brand known for its distinctive style that combines classic and contemporary designs. Offering a range of clothing, accessories, and home goods which channel individuality, authenticity and the power of self-expression.
Key Hires: Global Ecommerce Director, Merchandising Director, Menswear
Gym King is a UK-based fashion brand that specialises athleisure and trend-driven performance wear, with a focus on comfort and style. JD Sports acquired a minority stake in the business in 2021 designed to fast track growth and international expansion. Excelling in social media marketing the brand has established a strong online presence and dedicated following.
Key hire: Brand Director, General Manager
Gym King is a UK-based fashion brand that specialises athleisure and trend-driven performance wear, with a focus on comfort and style. JD Sports acquired a minority stake in the business in 2021 designed to fast track growth and international expansion. Excelling in social media marketing the brand has established a strong online presence and dedicated following.
Key hire: Brand Director, General Manager
Taylormade Golf is a market leading golf equipment company renowned for its innovative products and strong presence within the professional golf space, boasting an impressive portfolio of the sports most coveted players, including Tiger Woods, Rory Mcilroy, and Nelly Korda.
Key hire: Sales Director – Northern Europe
Taylormade Golf is a market leading golf equipment company renowned for its innovative products and strong presence within the professional golf space, boasting an impressive portfolio of the sports most coveted players, including Tiger Woods, Rory Mcilroy, and Nelly Korda.
Key hire: Sales Director – Northern Europe
Woolrich is a historic American outdoor clothing company that is renowned for producing high-quality, durable apparel and accessories for both outdoor and everyday wear. With strong brand recognition and a loyal customer base, both in the United States and internationally achieved through partnerships with brands and retailers, such as Supreme and Topo Designs.
Key hire: Global Head of Social Media
Woolrich is a historic American outdoor clothing company that is renowned for producing high-quality, durable apparel and accessories for both outdoor and everyday wear. With strong brand recognition and a loyal customer base, both in the United States and internationally achieved through partnerships with brands and retailers, such as Supreme and Topo Designs.
Key hire: Global Head of Social Media
Berghaus is a British outdoor clothing and equipment brand best known for producing high-quality, innovative products designed for a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, and skiing. They have established a loyal following of outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and adventurers around the world through sponsoring numerous expeditions and events.
Key Hires: Global Head of Marketing, Global Head of Product, Head of Sales Pureplay EMEA
Berghaus is a British outdoor clothing and equipment brand best known for producing high-quality, innovative products designed for a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, and skiing. They have established a loyal following of outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and adventurers around the world through sponsoring numerous expeditions and events.
Key Hires: Global Head of Marketing, Global Head of Product, Head of Sales Pureplay EMEA
Haglöfs is a Swedish outdoor equipment supplier with more than a century of innovation behind it, specialising in high quality technical clothing designed for both trailblazers and amateur amblers. Acquired by ASICS in 2010, Haglofs is now one of the most prominent brands within the Scandinavian Outdoor space producing more than a million products each year.
Key Hire: Global Product Director, Global Head of Apparel
Haglöfs is a Swedish outdoor equipment supplier with more than a century of innovation behind it, specialising in high quality technical clothing designed for both trailblazers and amateur amblers. Acquired by ASICS in 2010, Haglofs is now one of the most prominent brands within the Scandinavian Outdoor space producing more than a million products each year.
Key Hire: Global Product Director, Global Head of Apparel
On Running is a premium Swiss sportswear brand. In 2010, On broke into the running shoe industry with one goal: revolutionise the sensation of running. They have done just that taking the industry by storm and are on track to becoming a billion dollar brand in just 13 years.
Key Hires: Global Head of Apparel, Senior Product Manager Footwear
On Running is a premium Swiss sportswear brand. In 2010, On broke into the running shoe industry with one goal: revolutionise the sensation of running. They have done just that taking the industry by storm and are on track to becoming a billion dollar brand in just 13 years.
Key Hires: Global Head of Apparel, Senior Product Manager Footwear
Ariat is a leading brand in the equestrian industry that specialises in crafting high-quality performance footwear, apparel, and accessories for riders and horse enthusiasts. Ariat was founded as “The New Breed of Boot.” being the first to integrate athletic footwear technology into boots for equestrian athletes.
Key hires: Country Manager – France, Sales Manager – Benelux, Lifestyle Sales Manager UK
Ariat is a leading brand in the equestrian industry that specialises in crafting high-quality performance footwear, apparel, and accessories for riders and horse enthusiasts. Ariat was founded as “The New Breed of Boot.” being the first to integrate athletic footwear technology into boots for equestrian athletes.
Key hires: Country Manager – France, Sales Manager – Benelux, Lifestyle Sales Manager UK
2XU is a premium sports apparel and accessories brand that specialises in compression wear. The name “2XU” stands for “Two Times You” and represents the company’s commitment to providing products that help customers reach their full potential. The brand has partnerships with professional sports teams and athletes, including the Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Olympic team.
Key hire – GM EMEA
2XU is a premium sports apparel and accessories brand that specialises in compression wear. The name “2XU” stands for “Two Times You” and represents the company’s commitment to providing products that help customers reach their full potential. The brand has partnerships with professional sports teams and athletes, including the Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Olympic team.
Key hire – GM EMEA
Superdry is a global fashion brand known for its unique fusion of vintage Americana and Japanese-inspired graphics, resulting in a unique style that appeals to a wide range of customers. The company’s product offerings include jackets, T-shirts, hoodies, jeans, and accessories such as bags, watches, and footwear. The brand’s products are sold in over 100 countries worldwide, and has a significant online presence through its ecommerce channels.
Key hire – Global Wholesale Director
Superdry is a global fashion brand known for its unique fusion of vintage Americana and Japanese-inspired graphics, resulting in a unique style that appeals to a wide range of customers. The company’s product offerings include jackets, T-shirts, hoodies, jeans, and accessories such as bags, watches, and footwear. The brand’s products are sold in over 100 countries worldwide, and has a significant online presence through its ecommerce channels.
Key hire – Global Wholesale Director
About our
Client Culture
About our
Client Culture
Virtua place a strong emphasis on client culture as a cornerstone of our business model. Our boutique nature enables us to adapt to our clients everchanging needs seamlessly helping to form strong relationships and provide exceptional service.
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Client Values
Values
Our values are centred around our people, to source best in class talent, you must be the best in class. We are driven by integrity, we act with honesty, responsibility, and accountability, ensuring we maintain the trust of those who depend on us. Operating virtuously means prioritising what is right over what is expedient, helping us to build a sustainable and long-lasting business based on trust.
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Client Values
Collaborations
We recognise that our clients help form the foundations of our business and we view them as partners and collaborators within the search process, helping to develop lasting relationships and tailored services specific to each of our clients needs and requirements. Our detail-driven approach ensures that no aspect of the recruitment process is overlooked enabling us to remain sensitive to the needs of our clients, colleagues and partners.
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Client Values
Communication
Open and transparent communication is an integral part of our service, we understand that effective communication is essential to building trust and maintaining a strong partnership. we provide clear and honest communication throughout all stages of the business relationship. At our core, we believe that doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, is the key to success in business and beyond.
Client Testimonials:
Don't just take our word for it
Virtua are proud to showcase the feedback we've received from some of our longest standing clients who have experienced our quality and commitment first-hand. Whether you're a current customer or just considering working with us, our client testimonials offer valuable insights into the experiences of others who have trusted us with their needs.
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Kath Smith
Senior Independent Director – JD Sports Fashion PLCVirtua are a rare breed of head-hunter - they poses exceptional skills in establishing strong relationships with brands and in sourcing top talent - at all levels.
Their attention to detail is impressive - they start and complete the process way before and after what you’d consider as the ‘norm’. They able to quickly establish an understanding of a company’s culture and required fit.
They are strategic, considered, passionate, engaging and are excellent at reading and evaluating people.
I have no hesitation in recommending Virtua to any brand who needs to recruit outstanding people. -
Anna Lloyd
HR Director – New Era CapVirtua has been an outstanding partner to New Era, successfully matching us with quality candidates for some of our more senior roles in our European locations.
Virtua are extremely thorough when taking a brief and will ensure they have all of the relevant information from the start, most importantly they listen to our needs as a business and has developed a really good understanding of our culture which has been a major key to their success.
I have been really impressed with their sense of urgency and in most cases they exceeded our expectations with regards to timeframes. They work with pace and energy and understand the importance of finding the right person in the most time efficient way.
Virtua’s communication is excellent, they keep me fully informed throughout the process, being clear, open and honest, which in my view is a winning combination and as a result, I have developed a high level of trust and confidence in Virtua. -
Karthik Balagopalan
Global Director Retail & E-Commerce – Puma GroupI have thoroughly enjoyed working with James in the 1.5 years I have known him. He has a deep understanding of our brand, our requirements & operating values and can swiftly deliver to that.
In particular, I am immensely impressed by his network, his dynamism and his uncanny ability to show up with just the right candidate. All in all, it’s a joy to work with him & his team & I look forward to a longstanding co-operation with him. -
Gulya Bakeberg
HR Director Europe – Puma GroupI had a pleasure to work with James Watson on a few search/recruitment projects for key and senior roles for our Ecommerce Europe Team at PUMA.
Profound knowledge of the ecommerce landscape and the talent market, as well as high professional competence of James enabled us to close the search within the short period of time by hiring high calibre and very professional team members. During all projects I worked with him, he always demonstrated deep subject expertise, was attentive to the needs and expectations, maintained constant and flowless communication with me, as his client on the company side, and candidates. I appreciate very much our collaboration and looking forward for new projects we can work on together. -
Marc Schmidt
VP E-commerce – CrocsOverall, I would highly recommend VIRTUA EXEC without limitations to anyone seeking to build a high-performing digital team. Their expertise in recruiting, combined with their ability to act as a brand ambassador for their clients, makes them an ideal partner for any organization. Working with James and the rest of the team at VIRTUA EXEC was a pleasure, and I look forward to working with them again in the future.
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Leeds Office
1285 Century Way
Thorpe Park
Leeds LS15 8ZB Hello@virtua.com Contact -
Amsterdam Office
Herengracht 449A
1017BR Amsterdam
Netherlands Hello@virtua.com Contact -
Dubai Office
C/O The Nexum
Group; Dubai Hills
Estate E44,UAE
Hello@virtua.com Contact