Perry Ellis Europe CEO joins K

Davies, who joins BasicNet Group on 16 June, has led Original Penguin and Farah owner Perry Ellis Europe since 2020, overseeing a period of sustained profitability and operational transformation, including navigating the business through the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit. He departs Perry Ellis Europe after the group reported a 366% year-on-year increase in operating profit to £2.8m in the year to 1 February 2025 and opened a new London head office last month. During his tenure, Davies implemented a wide-ranging overhaul of the European operation, including modernising the supply chain through a bonded third-party logistics model and reshaping the business into a multi-channel structure. He also led an inventory reduction programme aimed at improving cash flow and efficiency, while investing in new office hubs, including in Essex and London, to support collaboration and company culture. Prior to joining Perry Ellis, Davies held senior leadership roles at Pentland Brands, including president for the UK, EMEA and Americas, where he oversaw brands such as Speedo, Canterbury and Mitre. Earlier in his career, he held roles at Procter & Gamble and Nestlé. Advertisement Davies also serves as a non-executive director at consumer and retail sector specialist investment and advisory firm True. His move to BasicNet comes as the Italian group works to expand the retail presence of its outerwear brand K-Way in the UK. The brand returned to a physical presence in the UK in February 2025 with a 1,290 sq ft King’s Road flagship after closing its two-floor 870 sq ft store in east London’s Spitalfields in 2015. It is also set to open a store on Carnaby Street next week, followed by further locations outside of London later this year. BasicNet Group also owns brands Kappa, Robe di Kappa, K-Way, Superga, Sebago, Briko, Woolrich and Sundek. Advertisement Davies told Drapers: “I am incredibly energised to lead BasicNet’s expansion in the UK at such a pivotal moment. “Brands like K-Way carry a unique heritage and a powerful consumer connection in Europe; bringing that same energy to the British market through strategic retail expansion and a strong wholesale presence is a challenge I’m thrilled to take on.” Have your say or a new account to join the discussion.