Staples, Inc. announces executive changes in its international business

John Barton has been appointed executive vice president of International Development and Anders Kristiansen has been appointed president of Staples China. Staples also announced the appointment of Noah Herschman as chief of merchandising for Staples China.#

As executive vice president of International Development, a new position at Staples, Barton has direct responsibility for Staples’ high-growth markets in China, India and South America. In addition, he has oversight for developing the company’s operational best practices worldwide across its retail, contract and catalog channels. He reports to Mike Miles. After joining Staples in 1990, Barton has held roles of increasing responsibilities in real estate. He served most recently as executive vice president of real estate, leading through his broad understanding of the company’s operations combined with process and management discipline.

As president of Staples China effective Sept. 1, Kristiansen will be responsible for all day-to-day operations for Staples’ business in China. He will report to John Barton. A 20-year veteran in the office supplies industry, he formerly served as managing director of the Asia Pacific division at Lyreco. Previously, he served as Lyreco’s managing director in Europe where he was responsible for all European subsidiaries. Prior to Lyreco, Kristiansen held various leadership positions at office supplies companies in Europe, namely GBC in Belgium, Herlitz and euro buro in Germany and Bogpa in Denmark. Kristiansen assumes leadership of Staples China from Pat Hickey, who will return to the US as his assignment in Asia concludes.

As chief of merchandising for Staples China, Noah Herschman will lead a consolidated merchandising function across contract, catalog and retail channels. He will report to Anders Kristiansen. Herschman previously served at Amazon.com as director of merchandising for home and mobile electronics.

Staples also announced recently that it expects to soon complete its acquisition of Corporate Express Australia, further strengthening its presence in Asia Pacific. Staples has increased its interest in the business to more than 98 percent, and will over the coming weeks acquire the remaining shares that it does not currently own.