Nike Inc has appointed chief financial officer of Converse Lisa Kempa president of its Exeter Brands Group division, in a bid to accelerate growth. With this appointment Exeter, which includes the Starter, Team Starter and Asphalt brands and caters to value retailers such as Wal-Mart, will enter a closer working relationship with Converse, the company said in statement.

"Putting Exeter under the leadership of Lisa Kempa and creating a strong link to the expertise and resources at Converse enables us to accelerate growth and competitively leverage the strengths of the Nike Inc. portfolio," said Nike chief executive Bill Perez. Kempa, who replaces Mary Gleason, whose former company, Group 3 Design, relaunched the Starter athletic label five years ago, will continue to report to Converse chief executive Jack Boys. Meanwhile, Gleason said in a statement that she will "return to developing new brand opportunities".

Nike bought the Starter properties in 2004 in an effort to expand its portfolio outside the core Nike label.