Lausanne, Switzerland, June 2025 — Panos Mytaros has been appointed as the new Global CEO of Bata Group, marking a pivotal leadership transition for the 130-year-old global footwear and lifestyle brand. He succeeds Sandeep Kataria, who has steered the company through a transformative period since 2020 and will remain onboard for up to six months to ensure a seamless transition.
Bringing with him more than 30 years of experience in the footwear and leather goods industry, Panos most recently served as Group CEO at ECCO, where he drove customer-centric innovation and deeper value chain integration. During his 24-year tenure at ECCO, he held several senior leadership roles including Executive Vice President, Managing Director, and Director of ECCO Indonesia, shaping the company’s operations across Europe and Asia.
He began his career in leather development at Ploem Leder BV before joining ECCO in 1994. His grounding in technical craftsmanship combined with strategic leadership across global markets makes him well-positioned to lead Bata through its next phase of international expansion and modernization.
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At Bata Group, Panos is expected to accelerate the company’s global relevance through innovation, customer-first transformation, and digital modernization—building upon the foundation laid by Sandeep Kataria, who brought his leadership expertise from Bata India, Vodafone, Unilever, and Yum! Brands.
Bata Group
Founded in 1894, Bata Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and retailers of quality footwear. Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, Bata employs over 32,000 people across 21 production facilities and more than 5,300 retail stores in over 70 countries. With a decentralized structure driven by three regional business units, Bata combines global efficiency with local agility. Its commitment to quality, innovation, and community engagement has earned the brand enduring trust among millions of customers worldwide for over 125 years.
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