The Inspirational Leader Award, judged by Aspire Academy, has been created to inspire the next generation of leaders in sport business. The award is presented annually to an individual who has led from the front and made an unparalleled impact on the sports industry across their career. Following in the footsteps of last years recipient, Carlo Ancelotti, Aspire honoured former CEO of Adidas Group, Herbert Hainer.
Herbert has done a tremendous job for the Adidas Group. After joining Adidas in 1987, he has had various management positions and was appointed CEO in 2001. Under his leadership, Adidas Group sales have tripled, net income and the number of employees have quadrupled, and the value of the company has increased from €3 billion to €18 billion. Yet it is not only the financial metrics that are notable: under Herbert, the Adidas Group has become one of the most sustainable corporations in Europe and one of the world’s most attractive employers.
Nominations for the 2017 Leaders Under 40 Awards are now open – for more information click here.