Kathmandu will build on roots: Strong

James Strong. Photo / Supplied

Kathmandu's new chairman says it's important for the company to build on its heritage as a Kiwi brand.

It was announced yesterday that James Strong has taken over the chairmanship of the Australasian outdoor equipment and clothing retailer.

The high-profile Australian businessman is also currently chairman of Woolworths Limited and Insurance Australia Group.

He is a former chief executive of Qantas Airways and New Zealand brewer DB Group.

Strong said up until last year he chaired surfwear company Rip Curl, and the Kathmandu opportunity suited him because it was also a product he was interested in. The role was also around the same size in terms of his commitments.

An outdoor enthusiast, Strong said he first wore Kathmandu gear in the early 1990s when he went climbing in Antarctica with Peter Hillary.

Like Rip Curl the gear had started off from a narrow specialist base but had expanded into a range of products that everyone could wear. "It's the same story, it's sort of an aspirational, lifestyle brand."

Its authenticity as a New Zealand brand was central to the future of the business, and needed to be built on in Australia where the link wasn't always made. As the company put together a new board it would ensure there was a predominance of Kiwis on it, he said.

There has been persistent market speculation that Kathmandu is about to list on the stock exchange, and last week chief executive Peter Halkett confirmed the company's private equity owners were ready to sell.