European outdoor groups join forces for change
06/09/2022
The association, founded in 2017, also moved to integrate UK-based diversity initiative Opening Up the Outdoors (OUTO) into its fold.
Additional significant switches included the appointment of Equip Outdoor Technologies’ global sales director, Andy Schimeck, to the role of IGOT president, succeeding The North Face’s vice-president and general manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Jan Van Leeuwen. OUTO founder, journalist Keme Nzerem, was named vice-president.
Meanwhile, Patagonia’s European public relations manager, Louise Brierley-Ingham, has also joined the now-expanded organisation’s board of directors, as has senior brand director at The North Face, Amanda Calder-McLaren, who assumed the newly formed role of chair of the OUTO council. IGOT’s former policy officer, Margo de Lange (pictured), will transition into the full-time position of secretary general.
Ms de Lange said that a combined effort on the part of the two previously separate groups would help them reach key target audiences and ultimately “make a big difference throughout Europe”.
Margo de Lange. Credit: It’s Great Out There Coalition.
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