Stephen Newlands: 'honoured'

The boss of a leading distributor of camping and outdoor gear has joined the board of trade body the Outdoor Industries Association.

Stephen Newlands, managing director of AMG, whose brands include Vango, Trangia and Wayfarer foods, was co-opted on to the board as two existing members left.

Matthew Eastlake, communications director at the Camping and Caravanning Club and Martin Binnendijk, former chief executive of Hi-Tec, are stepping down from the not-for profit organisation that represents companies in the UK outdoor sector.

Corry Taylor, chair of the OIA board, said: “Matthew and Martin joined the OIA board at a critical juncture two years ago just as the new association was setting out to re-establish its relevance to the industry.

“Both have made tremendous contributions to the OIA and have been instrumental in helping formulate the strategy which now forms the solid foundation upon which we can move forward with confidence.

“We are delighted to welcome Stephen to the board. He brings substantial and very relevant experience and it is enormously encouraging that the OIA is able to attract such keen interest in getting involved in our work, from senior figures across the industry.

“We have a very balanced and representative board, which makes the OIA much more capable than in the past of truly representing, and effectively promoting, our sector.”

The OIA board now has representatives from across the sector including independent retailers Itchy Feet and Countryside Ski & Climb; multiple retailers Cotswold Outdoor and Tiso; brand Berghaus; outdoor holiday organisation HF Holidays; and distributors Bradshaw Taylor, Burton McCall, Lyon Equipment and AMG.

Along with OIA chief executive Andrew Denton and communications director Louise Ramsay, the board meets regularly and has also set up working groups to implement its plans.

Stephen Newlands added: “I am really pleased to be joining the OIA board at this pivotal time.

“Andrew’s appointment and the excellent work that Louise Ramsay and the board have already been doing convinced me that the association is certainly going in the right direction and working hard on behalf of its members and the wider industry in these difficult times.

“I am honoured to be asked to help and am genuinely looking forward to the challenges.”

• grough is a member of the Outdoor Industries Association