Boardriders is making a leadership change in Europe as the company prepares for the integration of the Billabong Group into Boardriders in the region, according to a company memo.
Former CFO Thomas Chambolle, who stepped in to lead EMEA after the death of Pierre Agnes, is departing Boardriders.
Boardriders Global President Greg Healy, who currently heads up the APAC region, will take on the additional role of overseeing Europe. Greg has lots of experience in restructuring operations. He previously lived in the U.S. and led a major restructuring here in the post-Andy Mooney era, and has spearheaded the integration of Boardriders and Billabong in Australia.
From what we hear, the integration in Europe has taken longer because of the laws in France surrounding job changes and reductions, and the bulk of the integration is expected to happen in the back half of the year. The plan calls for Billabong to exit its Hossegor headquarters and move to Boardriders headquarters in Saint-Jean-De-Luz, about 45 minutes away.
The warehouse, however, will be consolidated into Boardriders’ 3PL provider.
All told, about 170 positions will be eliminated, however there will be about 50 new hires as well. We are told that some of those laid off will be offered to apply for those 50 jobs but have to be laid off first as part of the rules surrounding job cuts in France.
Greg will likely travel back and forth between Europe and Australia, but will spend the bulk of his time in Europe.
“Greg has been an invaluable and trusted partner to us over the years, has proven repeatedly that he can jump into any situation, reconfigure and reenergize it, and ultimately make it commercially successful,” CEO David Tanner said in a memo sent to employees. “Greg is the right person for the job for the next phase, and we are thankful that he and his family are willing to take on this new challenge.”
The memo thanked Thomas for his work leading the region after the unexpected death of Pierre.
“We are incredibly grateful to Thomas for stabilizing the EMEA team and business during that tragic period, and for laying solid groundwork for the Billabong integration and for Boardriders’ long-term regional growth,” Dave said in the memo.
