Bob Hurley is stepping down as chief executive of the surfwear brand that he founded, and which was acquired by the Nike group in 2002. Hurley was appointed interim chief executive in 2012, after the departure of Michael Egeck. He supervised product development and marketing for Hurley, which employs about 350 people. Hurley was the owner of Hurley Surfboards from 1979 to 1983 and then started up Billabong in the U.S. market, turning the license into a business worth about $100 million and working as president of Billabong USA until 1999. He then established the Hurley brand and served as its president until the sale to Nike. Hurley will take up a new function in the Nike group, helping to cultivate its relationships with athletes. Bob Coombes, vice president and general manager of Hurley, is to take on management of the action sports company, reporting to Jayme Martin, vice president and general manager of global categories at the Nike group.

Topics