Tim Brown
About Tim Brown
Tim Brown is a co-founder of Allbirds, known for promoting sustainability and comfort in footwear design. He has a background in professional athletics and holds degrees from prestigious institutions, including The London School of Economics and Northwestern University.
Work at Allbirds
Tim Brown serves as Co-Founder at Allbirds, a company he co-founded in 2015. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Allbirds focuses on sustainability and the use of premium natural materials in footwear design. Brown has been instrumental in establishing the company's mission to create shoes that prioritize comfort and thoughtful design over flashiness. His collaboration with engineer Joey Zwillinger has further enhanced the brand's commitment to innovative and sustainable practices in the footwear industry.
Education and Expertise
Tim Brown has a strong academic background in management and design. He studied at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where he earned a Master of Science (MSc) in International Management from 2012 to 2013. Additionally, he attended Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management as a Visiting Graduate Student, obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2013. Brown also holds a Bachelor of Science in Design from the University of Cincinnati, which he completed from 2000 to 2005.
Background
Tim Brown is a native of New Zealand and has a diverse professional background that includes both sports and business. Before co-founding Allbirds, he played as a professional athlete for various football clubs, including New Zealand Football, Wellington Phoenix Football Club, and Newcastle Jets Football Club. His experience in sports has contributed to his understanding of comfort and performance, which he applies to footwear design.
Previous Work Experience
Before his role at Allbirds, Tim Brown held several positions that contributed to his expertise in innovation and entrepreneurship. He worked at UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) as part of the Sirius Global Entrepreneurship Programme from 2014 to 2015. He also spent five months at Redscout in 2015, focusing on innovation strategy and business development. His varied experiences have equipped him with a unique perspective on merging design with sustainability.
Achievements in Sustainability
Tim Brown has played a key role in promoting the idea that comfort, good design, and sustainability can coexist in the footwear industry. His work at Allbirds emphasizes the use of natural materials, such as merino wool, to create a new category of shoes. Brown's commitment to sustainability is reflected in Allbirds' mission and product offerings, which aim to reduce environmental impact while providing high-quality footwear.