North Sails names Tim Healy President of North Sails One Design

Newport, RI (July 8, 2014) – North Sails has announced that World Champion sailor Tim Healy has been named President of North Sails One Design. Healy, who rejoined North Sails as One Design Coordinator in January 2013, will succeed Vince Brun, whose 37 years of exceptional leadership established North Sails as the leader in one design sailmaking.

North Sails founder Lowell North hired Vince in 1977 to work on the original loft floor in San Diego making Star sails. “Ever since 1977, you can make a very strong argument that North’s One Design Division’s success is due to Vince’s passion and commitment to North Sails products and our clients,” said Ken Read, President of North Sails Group. “Fortunately, Vince will not be stepping away from North Sails completely; he will be sticking with us to consult with the next generation of North Sails One Design leaders.”

“North Sails One Design currently produces sails for over 180 classes,” noted Brun. “Our group’s success is made possible by the dedicated team of incredibly talented people with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with. By turning the leadership role over to Tim, I believe North Sails One Design is pushing ahead into its next era of growth. The team has a promising future, and they have my full support.”

While passing on the title of President to Healy, Brun will remain an active part of North Sails One Design, serving as a member of the newly formed One Design Management Team, which will develop the future strategy for the group. Vince will also be instrumental in product development, R&D, and customer support, ensuring North Sails remains the leader in one design sails.

“Vince laid the foundation and built a successful business for North Sails One Design, which provides our customers with the fastest sails and best customer support available,” said Healy. “I am honored to succeed Vince as President, and I know there is a high expectation to build on his legacy. Vince’s dedication to excellence has created a culture of professionalism at North Sails that is unmatched, and I look forward to working with our team to continue building on the principles he has established. North Sails has the most knowledgeable group of professionals in the industry who are dedicated to providing the fastest sails in the world and I am excited to be part of this team.”

In addition to Healy, North Sails One Design will be managed by an international team of industry experts. The team will include Chris Snow of San Diego, CA, and Paul Hobson and Charlie Cumbley of Hampshire, UK.

Chris Snow will take on the role of Global Operations Manager for North Sails One Design. His immediate focus will be working with the management team to ensure the successful merger of North’s One Design divisions in Europe and North America.

Snow, a multiple North American and five-time J/24 US National Champion skipper and tactician, will draw on his 24 years of experience with the company to integrate North’s European and North American operations. “Taking our cue from North Sails’ recent acquisition, the One Design division will now begin the process of finding synergies between Europe and North America,” explained Snow. “Our new global One Design structure ensures more cooperation amongst all involved in our group. The result will be even faster sails and better customer service for all North One Design customers.”

Hobson will serve as Managing Director of One Design Europe. A World Champion sailor and Olympic coach, Hobson began his career in the sailmaking industry over 25 years ago. His most recent responsibilities have been overseeing sales and product development for One Design Europe.

“North Sails is entering a promising new era of management,” commented Hobson. “We have always worked very closely with the One Design team in North America and merging our operations will allow North to capitalize on the talent and expertise within the One Design group. I look forward to working with Tim to grow North’s One Design business and offering our clients around the globe even better service.”

Charlie Cumbley will serve as European Operations Manager. Charlie is a Finn class Junior World Champion and Olympic campaigner who has been instrumental in growing North’s European market since joining the company in 2005. His most recent responsibilities include overseeing production and distribution of all One Design products in Europe. “North Sails goes from strength to strength and this new global team from production to sales is second-to-none,” said Cumbley.

Source: Bridgid Murphy