Stanley Black & Decker Appoints Christopher Nelson as Next CEO in Strategic Leadership Transition
Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK), a globally recognized leader in tools and outdoor solutions, has announced a major shift in its executive leadership. The company’s Board of Directors has appointed Christopher Nelson as the incoming President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2025. Currently serving as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President as well as President of the Tools & Outdoor segment, Nelson will succeed Donald Allan, Jr., who has led the company as CEO since July 2022.
This appointment is the result of a deliberate and comprehensive succession planning process initiated and overseen by the Board of Directors. The structured approach reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to governance excellence, leadership continuity, and long-term strategic stability. Upon assuming the CEO position, Nelson will also be appointed to the company’s Board of Directors.
As part of the same transition, Donald Allan, Jr. will become Executive Chair of the Board on October 1, 2025, reinforcing his continued involvement in guiding the company during this pivotal period. Andrea Ayers, the current Chair of the Board, will shift to the role of Lead Independent Director and maintain her position as Chair of the Executive Committee. The Board also noted that Allan is expected to retire from the company entirely on October 1, 2026. At that time, Stanley Black & Decker intends to return to a corporate governance structure led by an Independent Board Chair.
Honoring a Legacy of Transformational Leadership
Andrea Ayers expressed the Board’s deep gratitude for Allan’s long and impactful tenure, which spans over a quarter century. “Don has made an indelible impact on Stanley Black & Decker, and we are deeply appreciative of his leadership over the past 26 years,” said Ayers. “His tenure has been marked by his deep commitment to our business, our customers, and the enduring strength of our brands.”
Ayers further emphasized Allan’s pivotal role in leading the company through a transformative chapter. “Don was the architect of our enterprise-wide transformation strategy. Under his leadership, Stanley Black & Decker underwent a comprehensive simplification of its operating model, positioning the company for long-term growth. His steady guidance proved to be a stabilizing force during times of economic uncertainty and operational challenges. We are pleased that he will continue to play a significant role in the company as Executive Chair, supporting Chris Nelson and the broader leadership team.”
CEO Transition: Perspective from Donald Allan, Jr.
Reflecting on his time as CEO, Donald Allan, Jr. expressed both pride and optimism about the company’s progress and future prospects. “It has been a tremendous honor to serve as the CEO of Stanley Black & Decker and to collaborate with such a talented and resilient global team,” said Allan. “Together, we’ve reshaped the company into a more agile, focused organization, anchored by a durable portfolio of iconic brands.”
He highlighted several key achievements during his tenure, including successful supply chain restructuring, brand portfolio refinement, and steps taken to ensure long-term competitiveness. “We’ve built a streamlined business model capable of delivering sustainable market share gains. As we approach the final stages of our supply chain transformation and look toward new opportunities, I believe this is the right moment for a leadership transition.”
Allan added that he has full confidence in Nelson’s capabilities to lead the company into its next chapter. “I’m committed to supporting Chris and the team in my capacity as Executive Chair, and I believe Stanley Black & Decker is exceptionally well-positioned for success under his leadership.”
The Vision of Christopher Nelson
Christopher Nelson brings decades of experience in global operations, commercial strategy, and brand development to his new role. As a core member of the executive leadership team, he has played a central role in executing the company’s transformation and in aligning operations with long-term strategic goals.
In his statement following the announcement, Nelson conveyed both gratitude and enthusiasm. “It is a tremendous honor to be named the next President and CEO of Stanley Black & Decker, an iconic American company with a heritage of innovation, craftsmanship, and leadership,” he said. “Over the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Don and the executive team, which has given me a deep appreciation for our people, our customers, and the incredible value of our brands in the marketplace.”
Nelson emphasized that the company is now well-positioned for sustainable, long-term growth. “Our transformation has laid the groundwork for meaningful progress. With our refined operating model, we are in an excellent position to deliver exceptional value to our customers, shareholders, and employees. I look forward to working with our Board, global teams, and partners to realize the full potential of our innovations, operations, and portfolio.”
Board Support for Nelson’s Appointment
Andrea Ayers noted the Board’s strong confidence in Nelson’s ability to drive the company forward. “Chris is uniquely qualified to lead Stanley Black & Decker into the next phase of its growth journey,” she said. “As the head of our Tools & Outdoor segment, he has demonstrated outstanding leadership, sharp strategic focus, and a relentless commitment to understanding and delivering on the needs of our end users.”
Ayers further credited Nelson’s commercial and operational expertise with helping the company stay resilient during a complex business environment. “His ability to steer the company through operational improvements while nurturing brand strength makes him a perfect fit for the CEO role. The Board is excited to support him as he builds on our legacy and leads Stanley Black & Decker toward its next era of innovation and impact.”
2025 Planning and Financial Outlook
In parallel with the leadership transition news, Stanley Black & Decker reaffirmed its financial performance outlook for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. The company expects both GAAP and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) results for Q2 to exceed the assumptions provided during the first-quarter 2025 earnings call.
This updated outlook is in line with positive remarks made by company executives at an investor conference in May 2025, where they highlighted stronger-than-expected performance trends, especially in key areas like operations efficiency, margin expansion, and global demand recovery.
The company continues to prioritize execution of its supply chain transformation and remains focused on cost optimization, inventory management, and innovation-driven product development. These initiatives, coupled with leadership stability and a sharpened corporate strategy, are expected to enhance shareholder value and bolster Stanley Black & Decker’s competitive edge in the global market.
A New Chapter for a Legacy Brand
With a rich heritage dating back to 1843, Stanley Black & Decker remains a symbol of American industrial ingenuity and global business leadership. The company’s brands, including DEWALT, CRAFTSMAN, STANLEY, BLACK+DECKER, and others, are trusted by professionals and consumers around the world.
This leadership transition marks the beginning of a new era, one rooted in the company’s enduring values of innovation, performance, and customer focus. As Christopher Nelson prepares to take the reins, and Donald Allan, Jr. transitions to his new role as Executive Chair, Stanley Black & Decker is poised to continue its momentum—building on its transformation, embracing opportunities, and delivering sustained growth in the years to come.
About Christopher Nelson
Mr. Nelson is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of executive leadership, product development, innovation and growth transformation experience. He joined Stanley Black & Decker in 2023 as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President and President of the Tools & Outdoor business. Since joining the Company, he has played a pivotal role in streamlining and optimizing the Company around its core businesses and strong portfolio of brands, while advancing the strategic roadmap for the Company’s $13 billion Tools & Outdoor business.
Prior to joining Stanley Black & Decker, Mr. Nelson was President of Carrier’s flagship heating, ventilation and air-conditioning segment, where he led the global commercial and residential product and service portfolio. Before joining Carrier, he held leadership roles with the U.S. Army, Johnson & Johnson and McKinsey & Company. Mr. Nelson holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in business from Cornell University.
About Stanley Black & Decker
Founded in 1843 and headquartered in the USA, Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is a worldwide leader in Tools and Outdoor, operating manufacturing facilities globally. The Company’s approximately 48,000 employees produce innovative end-user inspired power tools, hand tools, storage, digital jobsite solutions, outdoor and lifestyle products, and engineered fasteners to support the world’s builders, tradespeople and DIYers. The Company’s world class portfolio of trusted brands includes DEWALT®, CRAFTSMAN®, STANLEY®, BLACK+DECKER® and Cub Cadet®.
