New appointment for leading outdoor group Outside Sports

Noel Walker, Chairman of the Outside Sports Board, today announced that John Knight has been appointed to the new position of Managing Director of the company.

Outside Sports is a well-known, locally-owned sporting and outdoor chain with branches in Te Anau, Queenstown (3) and Wanaka. It also has a significant web-based sales operation.

Mr Knight is a major shareholder of the company and was responsible for founding, with his wife Judy, the Queenstown operations that became part of an enlarged company following a series of mergers in 2009.

In his new role John will assume all the responsibilities of the General Manager’s position which is currently held by Ivan Santin. Mr Santin, a long-term member of the Outside Sports team, recently resigned so he can return to Italy in August.

One of Mr Knight’s initial priorities will be establishing the company’s new flagship store on a site currently being developed in Shotover Street, Queenstown.

Mr Knight said he was greatly looking forward to taking over day-to-day leadership of the company as it entered the busy winter season. He will take up his appointment immediately.