North Sails Apparel: Robert Polet the new hand on deck

By

Olivier Guyot

Published
Jan 9, 2015

To get things back to smooth sailing, North Sails Apparel has taken a veritable expert in navigation in the fashion and distribution world on board. The brand, which was recently acquired by Oakley Capital and led by Eric Bijlsma, the former CEO of Scotch & Soda, added Robert Polet to its "partners" on 1 January.

The man is none other than the former CEO of the Gucci group. Over 26 years Robert Polet moved through the Unilever group, occupying several positions. In 2004, he became CEO of the Gucci group, succeeding Domenico de Sole, and reorganised the group. He is currently the non-executive president of the Safilo Board of Directors and a member on different boards.

"Robert will be the perfect coach to navigate me through the Italian culture. North Sails Apparel has a strong presence in Italy, as part of the market but also in the development of its products and in production. Robert is a veritable brand builder who represents an enormous asset for us at this stage. He is a great enthusiast of the sailing world and has a genuine interest in innovation and performance. But above, all we are great friends."

The two executives will thus present their new vision of North Sails, promised to be "aspirational", at the next Pitti Uomo trade fair being held on 13 to 16 January in Florence.