Footasylum chair and CEO Barry Bown to step down

Footasylum has announced that its executive chairman and CEO, Barry Bown, will be stepping down from his role to take up a consultancy role at the fashion streetwear retailer’s owner, Aurelius Group. 

Bown first joined Footasylum in 2018, having spent over 30 years at JD Sports, 14 years of which were as CEO. 

In his new consultancy role, Bown will continue to use his industry knowledge and expertise to support the growth of Footasylum and other Aurelius portfolio companies.

As a result, David Pujolar has been announced as Bown’s replacement as CEO, effective from this month (March). Prior to this role, he was general manager at AW LAB, another streetwear retailer, since 2016. 

Prior to AW LAB, Pujolar held a number of leadership positions in buying and merchandising at Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, and Foot Locker. David will join Footasylum on 1 March 2024.

Bown said: “Footasylum is an incredible business and I’ve been privileged to lead it for nearly six years. It has been rewarding and challenging in equal measure and, under Aurelius’s ownership, we now have exceptionally strong foundations and a clear strategy for future growth. 

“I am delighted that someone of David’s calibre will take up the role of CEO and am confident that he is the right person to take charge of Footasylum’s exciting next chapter. I am looking forward to providing support to the business through my new consultancy role with Aurelius.” 

Pujolar added: “Footasylum is a business that I’ve admired for many years. It has a distinctive proposition, a loyal customer base, and an exciting portfolio of innovative and trendsetting brands. 

“Barry, Aurelius, and the wider team have done an excellent job in building Footasylum into a leading streetwear retailer and disruptive entertainment company, and I am looking forward to continuing their good work.”