ZHIK appoints sales manager Americas

Former UK Olympic sailor and top yacht racer, Jerry Richards has been appointed as Sales Manager Americas for Zhik.  Starting his role on January 1st 2019, Jerry will lead Zhik’s sales expansion in the USA, South America and Canada.

Jerry is one of the leading authorities in the USA on sailing apparel and accessories, and has an outstanding sailing track record, including America’s Cup, the Olympic Games. Plus, a host of National and World titles in 470, Fireball, Soling and J24, and many prestige offshore and inshore yacht race titles including the Fastnet, Sydney Hobart and the Admirals Cup.

He has an extensive, background with outdoor brands and specialist water-based apparel. After representing a number of UK brands, he established Animal in the USA before joining Gill North America in 1999. Here he was instrumental in building the extensive marine leisure dealer network and launching the Gill Fishing brand.
Richards, said of his appointment, “If you can’t beat them; join them! I have seen Zhik grow so strongly through the sailing community and am looking forward to continue driving the growth of this exciting brand in the Americas.”

Piet Poelmann, Zhik’s CEO adds, “It is fantastic that Jerry is joining our growing team. He brings a wealth of technical knowledge and industry experience, and is a highly respected salesman and sailor. We look forward to him leading our expanding team of account managers and distributors.”

Zhik provides technology enabled performance apparel for dinghies, yachts, SUP, boarding and kayaking and is available in over 48 countries