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Joanne Black, Craghoppers Buying Director and MD for Retail, has become the OIA’s newest board member.
Black joined Regatta in 1990, having earned her stripes through her career as graduate trainee buyer and merchandiser with Burton Retail before moving to Hobbs Ltd in the late 1980s as footwear and knitwear buyer.
As Craghoppers buying director, she and her team introduced the best-selling Kiwi trouser, the world first NosiLife range and more recently, recycled fleece to the market. These innovations have been key to Craghoppers’ success and its position as a leading international travel brand, we’re told. Black mixes a busy work life in Manchester with home life in London which she shares with her husband and two children.
Black said: “I am delighted to join the OIA. I feel really proud to join such an experienced board in representing the Regatta Group. It will be great to be part of an organisation that is doing invaluable work in representing our industry in the wider community.”
OIA Chief Executive Andrew Denton commented: “As the OIA continues to build our influence as an association, we need a board that represents the entire sector, enabling us to promote and represent the whole of the trade, so we are privileged that Joanne has agreed to join us. She brings a great deal of industry experience, from a world class group of brands, and has been involved in a variety of vital projects, including being instrumental in spearheading the Regatta Group’s CSR programme.”
For further information about the OIA, please visit www.outdoorindustriesassociation.co.uk
