Nike has appointed David Denton as executive vice-president (EVP) and chief financial officer (CFO), with the change taking effect on 17 August.
He will replace Matthew Friend, who will remain at the company until 4 September to help with the handover.
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Friend will continue as CFO until Denton formally takes up the position.
In his new post, Denton will lead Nike’s global finance organisation and work with president and CEO Elliott Hill and the wider senior leadership team on financial execution, capital allocation and long-term value creation.
Commenting on his appointment, Denton said: “I am excited to partner with Elliott and the leadership team to support the company’s priorities, invest with discipline, and help deliver sustainable long-term value as Nike continues to lead with sport and serve athletes around the world.”
Denton joins the sportswear group from Pfizer, where he has served as CFO and EVP since May 2022.
Before Pfizer, Denton served as CFO and EVP at Lowe’s Companies between 2018 and 2022.
He has also held board positions at Haleon from 2023 to 2024 and at Tapestry from 2014 to 2023.
Hill said: “This is a natural moment for a leadership transition as we move from foundational actions to sustained growth through our Sport Offense operating model.”
Separately, Nike said its fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 (Q4 FY26) results, due on 30 June, will include a benefit linked to tariff refunds that had not been included in the company’s earlier guidance.
The company said that Friend will take part in its Q4 FY26 earnings call.
Nike added that, excluding the one-off benefit from the tariff refunds, its Q4 FY26 results are expected to be broadly in line with previously issued guidance.
