HanesBrands announced that its board of directors has approved a leadership succession plan, with Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard A. Noll narrowing his role to executive chairman and Chief Operating Officer Gerald W. Evans Jr. assuming the role of chief executive officer, both effective Oct. 1, 2016. Evans, 57, has been appointed to the company's Board of Directors, effective immediately.

With his appointment, the Hanes board has been expanded to 11 members. Noll and Evans each have held leadership positions at Hanes spanning more than 30 years. Evans, who joined the company in 1983.

As chief operating officer since 2013, he has had responsibility for the day-to-day running of the company with direct oversight of all global commercial businesses and supply-chain operations.