SPORTS-MAD Greg Nieuwenhuys has become the latest member to join the Outdoor Industries Association Board.
He recently became the CEO of Outdoor and Cycle Concepts (OC&C), which comprises Snow+Rock, Runners Need, Cycle Surgery, and Cotswold Outdoor.
Nieuwenhuys said: “I’m really looking forward to contributing to the OIA’s work and helping with its future growth and development for the benefit of the whole industry.
“Inspiring and supporting people to get outside to make them happier is not only the mission of our company, it is a strong personal belief I have.”
His passion for sport and the outdoors started at an early age.
He came sixth in the World Championship Triathlon (under-ten) in 1990 and since then has continued to follow his passions outdoors: skiing, mountaineering, trail running, cycling and ice skating.
In 2004, Nieuwenhuys summited Cho Oyu (8201m), the sixth highest mountain in the world, on the Nepal and China border, and skied back down.
In 2009 he participated in a 200km ice skating race (Alternatieve Elfstedentocht) which he completed in less than six hours, and in 2012 and 2013 he was the Dutch National Champion in Ski Mountaineering.
In 2013 he finished 30th overall in the CCC ultra trail race (100km), and in 2014 he finished the UTMB, a trail running race around Mont Blanc, of 168km and 9.600 vertical metres, which he completed in 39 hours non-stop.
OIA Chief Executive Andrew Denton said: “It’s great to have someone like Greg joining the Board. Not only does he represent one of the UK’s major retailers, but his own personal experiences will prove valuable in supporting our future strategy.”
Nieuwenhuys started his career as a consultant with OC&C Strategy Consultants and joined the AS Adventure group as Group Head of Strategy in 2009.
AS Adventure Group is a specialty retailer of outdoor equipment and clothing, operating a network of retail stores in Belgium, Luxembourg and France under the AS Adventure brand, in the Netherlands under the Bever brand and in the UK under four different brands.
He became CEO of Bever in 2011, and helped transform the company from a traditional outdoor retailer having no online presence in 2011, to being a modern and award winning omnichannel retailer delivering consistent growth.
