CEO of £120m outdoorwear brand to step down
The firm behind outdoor brands Rab and Lowe Alpine is searching for a successor after its CEO announced he was stepping down.
Equip Outdoor Technologies, which is based in Somercotes near Alfreton, has begun the process of replacing owner Matt Gowar.
Gowar bought Lowe Alpine 12 years ago and Rab 20 years ago. Equip has experienced significant growth in the last few years and achieved £120m turnover in FY23. The global business now operates through 26 manufacturing partners across Asia as well as at is Derbyshire manufacturing site plus has sales offices in eight countries across North America and Europe.
Gowar will remain active within the business, retaining executive responsibility at Equip board level including CSR, supplier sourcing and supporting the development in North America.
He said: “The last few years have seen extraordinary pressures for the outdoor industry and supply chains. We have worked hard to grow Equip and our brands and achieved significant business milestones along the way.
“Knowing that the business is in such a strong position, I look forward to finding someone who can step into the CEO role to bring new experience and leadership to our existing board and lead Equip to achieve the next five-year strategic plan. This will allow me to concentrate on the areas of the business I have the most expertise and also free up my time to do the things I have missed out on whilst building the business; time with my family and my personal interests. I plan to retain ownership of Equip, as we keep to our current strategy.”
