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Lululemon Founder Chip Wilson Launches Proxy Fight to Reshape Board

The founder’s slate escalates a fight over control of the CEO search at a company under activist pressure.

Overview

  • Wilson said he nominated three independent directors — Marc Maurer, Laura Gentile and Eric Hirshberg — confirming a board challenge first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
  • He is not seeking a board seat himself and criticized the current directors over succession planning, urging a product-focused CEO search.
  • Lululemon previously said CEO Calvin McDonald will step down in January, and the company has begun the process to select a successor.
  • Elliott Management disclosed about a $1 billion stake this month, and Reuters reported the fund has been working with former Ralph Lauren executive Jane Nielsen as a potential CEO candidate.
  • Wilson plans to file definitive proxy materials and proposed declassifying the board, steps that would enable shareholders to vote on all directors annually.