Icebreaker appoints new leaders to accelerate growth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Icebreaker appoints new leaders to accelerate growth

Wellington, New Zealand (1 July 2013) – Icebreaker, the world leaders in merino apparel, is re-aligning their New Zealand and Australian businesses into one growth oriented multi-channel business - integrating wholesale, retail and ecommerce - headed up by a new General Manger for New Zealand and Australia .

“We are proud that New Zealand is our home market.  It’s where Icebreaker was born and it’s where we first created the merino outdoor category,” said Jeremy Moon, Founder and CEO of Icebreaker. “To maintain our leadership and accelerate our growth here and in Australia we have recognised the need to re-design the business for our next wave of success.”

Greg Smith has been appointed to head up this new multi-channel business as General Manager New Zealand and Australia. He will be responsible for strategically developing and implementing Icebreaker’s integrated wholesale, retail and ecommerce growth strategy in both New Zealand and Australia. He will be based from Icebreaker’s new Auckland office, which opens in July 2013.

“We’re thrilled to have Greg bring his expertise to our team, he has extensive retail management experience which will help us strengthen and expand our Australasian business,” said Jeremy.  “And just as importantly, he’s a great guy, with a passion for the outdoors. He’s a real Icebreaker.”

Smith is an experienced retail expert with more than 21 years in leadership roles at Michael Hill International.  Since beginning his career at Michael Hill he has held multi faceted roles including selling, store management, regional and general management of the public company.  His most recent role was General Manager New Zealand.

“Icebreaker is an exceptional brand with great growth potential in New Zealand and Australia, and I am excited to be a part of the team and to help lead it to the next levels using the absolute best, sustainable product and resources from New Zealand,” said Smith. “I believe that if you are going to give something a go you might as well go all out to be the very best.” 

Icebreaker also announced today that Nicola Simpson is joining the Icebreaker leadership team as the new General Manager of People and Performance. She will be involved in Icebreaker’s global expansion and growth and will be also be based in the new Auckland office.

“Aligning people and performance is critical to Icebreaker’s growth strategy and we’re very excited to have Nicola bring her deep human resources experience to our global team,” said Jeremy. “As we step up to the next level, it’s all about the people we attract to our mission of bringing New Zealand merino to the outdoor market, and how we engage as a team to deliver an outstanding experience for our customers”.

Simpson is an experienced HR professional with more than 14 years in public and private sector Australasian businesses in organisational development, change management and strategic HR management roles working alongside senior executives to develop people strategies and enhance business performance.  She has spent the last 2 years as the owner and operator of a successful restaurant in Wanaka as she had a break from corporate life.

“The attraction of being part of a legendary kiwi company full of talented people who are passionate about what they do was too great to keep me in Wanaka. And it’s a big call to leave paradise!” said Simpson.

About Icebreaker

Icebreaker merino clothing for the outdoors, technical sports and lifestyle includes underwear, mid layer garments, outerwear, socks and accessories for men, women and children. Icebreaker is based in Wellington, New Zealand, and is sold in more than 3000 stores in 43 countries. See icebreaker.com for more information about Icebreaker, and jeremymoon.me for more information on Icebreaker founder and CEO Jeremy Moon. 

ENDS

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