DESCENTE
Japanese Descente Group has announced the appointment of Shohei Ohtani as President of Descente Apparel, the group’s subsidiary responsible for the development and production of sportswear, effective May 1.
Shohei Tajin joined Descente in 1989 and has held several senior roles, including Executive Director of Descente Japan, Senior Executive Director, and CAO (Chief Administrative Officer) of Descente. Since 2025, he has concurrently served as Senior Managing Executive Officer of Descente Apparel and Plant Manager of the Mizusawa factory. Following his appointment as President, he will continue to serve concurrently as Plant Manager of the Mizusawa factory.
Descente Apparel stated that the appointment reflects the company’s expectation that he will leverage his experience in talent and organisational activation, as well as production site management, to lead the company’s continued growth.
KMD Brands
KMD Brands Ltd., which owns outdoor brands Rip Curl, Oboz Footwear, and Kathmandu, has appointed Philip Bowman as Chairman of the Board.
Philip Bowman currently serves as Chairman of New Zealand-listed company Sky Network Television, Chairman of Tegel Group Holdings, and Independent Director of Amsterdam-listed Ferrovial SE. He joined the KMD Board in September 2019.
Following Philip Bowman’s appointment as Chairman, KMD has formally launched a board renewal process. The company is working with an external executive search firm to identify two new non-executive directors. This renewal aims to strengthen corporate governance, enhance business performance, and build a pipeline of qualified candidates for future board chair succession planning.
Outgoing Chairman David Kirk will remain on the Board during the transition period until a new New Zealand-based non-executive director is appointed, in order to meet NZX listing rules requiring at least two New Zealand-resident directors.
KMD also revealed that Zion Armstrong has submitted his resignation as Non-Executive Director, effective May 1, 2026, in order to focus fully on his role as Chief Executive Officer of Jamie Kay Group.
Ocean & Earth
Australian surf accessories brand Ocean & Earth has appointed Thomas Edgar as Head of Marketing.
Thomas Edgar previously served as Global Eyewear Marketing Manager at Smith Optics. He joined the company in 2021 as Marketing Director for Australia. Over a 15-year career, he has held marketing roles at several Australian companies, including UrbnSurf, Modern Pirate, Falls Creek Ski Lifts Pty, and Dragon Alliance.
Phil Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer of Ocean & Earth, said that the appointment represents a strategic investment in the brand’s long-term development. He noted that as the company continues to expand its global footprint, having leadership talent that understands both the brand’s heritage and its future direction is critical. He added that Thomas brings world-class industry experience, strong creative thinking, and deep roots in surf culture, making him an ideal choice as the brand enters a new phase of growth.
Ocean & Earth was founded in 1979 by professional surfer Brian Cregan in Sussex Inlet on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia. Its first product was a surfboard leash. Today, the company is widely recognised as a global leader in surfboard leashes and accessories. Brian Cregan, a qualified carpenter, previously made skateboards to support his early surfing career and was ranked No. 39 in the world surfing rankings in 1978.
｜Source: Official press releases, SGB Media
｜Image Credit: Personal social media accounts
｜Editor: Luxeplace
