Leading by example
As well as being a global brand, we remain a private, family-owned business led by a passionate, multicultural leadership team.
Panos Mytaros
Chief Executive Officer
Panos Mytaros joined Bata Group as Global CEO on September 15, 2025.
He brings more than 30 years of experience in the global footwear and leather industry, most recently serving as CEO of ECCO, where he led the company through a period of modernization, digital growth, and international expansion.
Panos began his career in technical leather and R&D roles across Europe before joining ECCO in 1994. Over the years, he held key leadership roles in Indonesia and Denmark, eventually leading ECCO Leather and then rising to Executive Vice President of ECCO Sko A/S. His work has been instrumental in strengthening supply chains, expanding into new markets, and driving product innovation.
A graduate of the Tannery School in Reutlingen and the University of Tübingen, Panos also completed executive training in Denmark.
Known for his respect for craftsmanship and strategic vision, he now steps into the role at Bata to build on its heritage and lead the Group into its next phase of global growth.
He brings more than 30 years of experience in the global footwear and leather industry, most recently serving as CEO of ECCO, where he led the company through a period of modernization, digital growth, and international expansion.
Panos began his career in technical leather and R&D roles across Europe before joining ECCO in 1994. Over the years, he held key leadership roles in Indonesia and Denmark, eventually leading ECCO Leather and then rising to Executive Vice President of ECCO Sko A/S. His work has been instrumental in strengthening supply chains, expanding into new markets, and driving product innovation.
A graduate of the Tannery School in Reutlingen and the University of Tübingen, Panos also completed executive training in Denmark.
Known for his respect for craftsmanship and strategic vision, he now steps into the role at Bata to build on its heritage and lead the Group into its next phase of global growth.
Gerd Graehsler
Chief Financial Officer
Gerd leads the Global Finance and Accounting functions, overseeing financial management worldwide at Bata Group. He has a deep expertise in managing finances for fast-paced, publicly listed companies with strong family-owned shareholder structures.
With over two decades in the industry, he is a seasoned Executive leader in Finance, particularly in global product-centric and omnichannel companies.
Gerd holds a Master's degree in Controlling, Strategy, and Marketing from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, and a CEMS Master of Management. He has been a CFA charter holder since 2010.
With over two decades in the industry, he is a seasoned Executive leader in Finance, particularly in global product-centric and omnichannel companies.
Gerd holds a Master's degree in Controlling, Strategy, and Marketing from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, and a CEMS Master of Management. He has been a CFA charter holder since 2010.
Xiaohan Guo
Chief Legal Officer
Xiaohan leads our legal function and contribute to the achievement of our Business Strategy. With over 17 years of international experience in both in-house and private practice settings across various global locations, including Paris, Singapore, and London, Xiaohan is well-versed in navigating international and multicultural environments.
Prior to joining Bata, she held the position of VP and Assistant General Counsel at CWT, a business travel management company, where she has over the years led legal teams, and provided legal and compliance business partnership to global business functions such as Finance, Growth, Partnerships, Strategy and Corporate Development.
Xiaohan is a qualified solicitor in England and Wales, and Singapore, and holds a degree of Laws from the National University of Singapore and a diploma on Financial Management from the London school of Business and Finance.
Prior to joining Bata, she held the position of VP and Assistant General Counsel at CWT, a business travel management company, where she has over the years led legal teams, and provided legal and compliance business partnership to global business functions such as Finance, Growth, Partnerships, Strategy and Corporate Development.
Xiaohan is a qualified solicitor in England and Wales, and Singapore, and holds a degree of Laws from the National University of Singapore and a diploma on Financial Management from the London school of Business and Finance.
Martino Boselli
Chief Commercial Officer
Martino is the Chief Commercial Officer at Bata, based in Switzerland. In this role, he is responsible for driving commercial performance across markets, partnering with operating companies to accelerate growth, and strengthening execution across planning, trading, pricing, assortment, and go-to-market.
He brings over 20 years of international experience across retail, wholesale, and e-commerce, with a strong track record in commercial transformation, brand turnaround, and P&L management.
Most recently, he served as Worldwide Chief Commercial Officer at United Colors of Benetton, where he led a global turnaround and managed a €1.1bn business across regions and channels.
He brings over 20 years of international experience across retail, wholesale, and e-commerce, with a strong track record in commercial transformation, brand turnaround, and P&L management.
Most recently, he served as Worldwide Chief Commercial Officer at United Colors of Benetton, where he led a global turnaround and managed a €1.1bn business across regions and channels.
Davide Matteazzi
President North Star
Davide is the President of North Star at Bata, effective June 8, 2026, based in Padova. In this role, he leads the global sneaker business with full P&L responsibility, overseeing product, brand, and commercial performance to build a clear, competitive, and scalable global proposition.
He is responsible for defining the North Star product and brand architecture, elevating design and pricing coherence, and driving focused go-to-market and consumer activation strategies in close partnership with marketing and commercial teams.
Davide brings extensive international experience across leading brands including Karl Lagerfeld, Calvin Klein Jeans, Diesel, and Wrangler. He is recognized for combining strong product instinct, commercial discipline, and brand-building expertise to translate strategy into execution.
He is responsible for defining the North Star product and brand architecture, elevating design and pricing coherence, and driving focused go-to-market and consumer activation strategies in close partnership with marketing and commercial teams.
Davide brings extensive international experience across leading brands including Karl Lagerfeld, Calvin Klein Jeans, Diesel, and Wrangler. He is recognized for combining strong product instinct, commercial discipline, and brand-building expertise to translate strategy into execution.
Noemi Elmaleh
President Bata
Noemi Elmaleh
President Bata
Michael Wyatt
President Bata Industrials
Michael Wyatt is the President Bata Industrials.
Since joining Bata in 2010, he has held leadership roles across three continents, including Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, Country Manager for Central Europe, and Country Manager for South Africa.
Known for driving growth and innovation, Michael brings expertise in retail, manufacturing, marketing, and key account management.
Since joining Bata in 2010, he has held leadership roles across three continents, including Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, Country Manager for Central Europe, and Country Manager for South Africa.
Known for driving growth and innovation, Michael brings expertise in retail, manufacturing, marketing, and key account management.
Sarah Sutton
Chief Marketing Officer
Sarah Sutton is Chief Marketing Officer at Bata, effective May 1, 2026. In this role, she leads the global re-ignition of the brand, driving a more impactful, consistent, and consumer-focused approach to brand building, activation, and marketing investment across all markets.
She brings over 25 years of experience at the intersection of brand, media, and culture, having worked with leading global companies including Nike, Google, Coca-Cola, Volvo, Oatly, and Marks & Spencer.
Sarah is recognized for building brands that connect meaningfully with consumers, combining strong creative direction with effective, results-driven execution.
She brings over 25 years of experience at the intersection of brand, media, and culture, having worked with leading global companies including Nike, Google, Coca-Cola, Volvo, Oatly, and Marks & Spencer.
Sarah is recognized for building brands that connect meaningfully with consumers, combining strong creative direction with effective, results-driven execution.
David Lynch
Chief Supply Chain Officer
David joined Bata as the Chief Supply Chain Officer in 2021 and is responsible for the Bata end-to-end Global Supply Chain Operations.
David joins us after a long career in various Supply Chain and Sourcing Leadership roles with international Footwear brands including Nike, Clarks, and Columbia Sportswear and others.Having lived and worked all over Asia David brings with him many years of international supply chain & manufacturing experience.
David holds a degree in Statistics and Chinese Language from the University of Minnesota with post graduate studies in the field of Biostatistics.
David joins us after a long career in various Supply Chain and Sourcing Leadership roles with international Footwear brands including Nike, Clarks, and Columbia Sportswear and others.Having lived and worked all over Asia David brings with him many years of international supply chain & manufacturing experience.
David holds a degree in Statistics and Chinese Language from the University of Minnesota with post graduate studies in the field of Biostatistics.
Luc Valentin
Chief Human Capital Officer
Luc joined Bata in December 2018; he is responsible for leading Bata’s Global Human Resources agenda. His career spans over 21 years of experience in Human resources and Business positions in leading groups.
Prior, he was Chief Human Resources Officer at Douglas, the leading premium beauty group in Europe. Luc has covered a large range of leading roles in international Groups from various Industries such as Kering, Gap, L'Oréal, Natixis/CNP.
Broad HR Generalist with strong expertise in Talent Management, Performance Management, Compensation and benefits, Industrial relations and Organization Effectiveness. Highly business oriented with a successful track record.
Luc holds a double master of business and labour Law and is also graduated from INSEAD.
Prior, he was Chief Human Resources Officer at Douglas, the leading premium beauty group in Europe. Luc has covered a large range of leading roles in international Groups from various Industries such as Kering, Gap, L'Oréal, Natixis/CNP.
Broad HR Generalist with strong expertise in Talent Management, Performance Management, Compensation and benefits, Industrial relations and Organization Effectiveness. Highly business oriented with a successful track record.
Luc holds a double master of business and labour Law and is also graduated from INSEAD.