Helen Sheirbon to Lead Avery Dennison Solutions Group
Helen Sheirbon will begin her term as president of the Avery Dennison Solutions Group on November 3.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Do you believe frequent changes in company leadership generally help or hurt a business's long-term success?
Starting November 3, Helen Sheirbon will assume the role of president for the Avery Dennison Solutions Group. She joins the firm after spending more than two decades in leadership positions at HP Inc.
Why it matters
The appointment marks a significant executive transition for Avery Dennison as it looks to leverage Sheirbon's extensive background. Meanwhile, other firms are also adjusting leadership to navigate shifting industrial strategies and creative mandates.
Helen Sheirbon brings over 20 years of experience from HP Inc. to her new role at Avery Dennison. Elsewhere, Kath Smith is set to conclude a seven-year tenure on the board of JD Sports Fashion.
The players
Helen Sheirbon
She is the incoming president of the Avery Dennison Solutions Group who previously spent over 20 years at HP Inc.
Kath Smith
She is a board member at JD Sports Fashion who is departing after seven years of service.
Seán McGirr
He recently departed his position as the creative director of Alexander McQueen after a three-year tenure.
Södra
This organization represents more than 50,000 forest owners in Sweden and manages large-scale industrial wood and cell units.
JD Sports Fashion
This is a global retail company that has initiated an independent search to replace a departing board member.
The details
Kath Smith will step down from the JD Sports Fashion board on January 19, with the company currently conducting an independent search for her replacement. Additionally, Södra implemented a leadership reorganization across its wood, cell, and forest units on October 13 to boost industrial competitiveness.
Timeline
Oct. 13, 2026: Södra leadership changes took effect.
Nov. 3, 2026: Helen Sheirbon starts as Avery Dennison Solutions Group president.
Jan. 19, 2027: Kath Smith steps down from JD Sports Fashion board.
Market Landscape
These executive transitions highlight a broader trend of leadership restructuring across global manufacturing and retail firms. Companies are increasingly repositioning management to better address evolving industrial strategies and competitive market pressures.
These management shifts may eventually influence corporate strategy, pricing, or product availability for consumers interacting with these brands. Stakeholders and clients should monitor subsequent announcements regarding new leadership appointments for potential impacts on company direction.
The takeaway
These high-level changes demonstrate how quickly major corporations pivot their leadership to match current strategic goals. Tracking these updates can provide insight into which companies are prioritizing innovation and operational efficiency in the coming year.
Further reading
For more information on executive moves, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WWD.
Live Poll
Do you believe frequent changes in company leadership generally help or hurt a business's long-term success?
