Rip Curl is making a leadership change in Europe, with longtime European CEO Wilco Prins to exit the company at the end of April.
Wilco started as an intern at Rip Curl in 1997, and is very well known in the European market, where he also serves as President of Euro SIMA.
Rip Curl Group CEO Michael Daly told SES that the restructuring is partly due to management consolidation and also challenges in the European market.
Matthieu Lefin, Rip Curl’s head of group operations who is based in Europe, will add President of Europe to his responsibilities and will continue to work directly to Michael.
“Matthieu has been with us for nearly 10 years now and has worked closely with Wilco for many years so we are expecting a smooth transition,” he said.
We reached out to Wilco, who sent SES this statement.
“Rip Curl has been a great adventure from the day I walked in as an intern, back in 1997 to today, where I have been the European CEO for the last 6 years now. We managed to do a great job in Europe and put the brand in a very healthy position, by sticking to our vision and by applying Rip Curl’s company principles and values. Today, I am 42 with a big bag full of experience that will help me for the rest of my life.
“I will not hide from the fact that this announcement was a surprise to me and that I am truly sad to leave a great bunch of people behind – a lot of very talented people who have become and who will remain friends for life,” Wilco said. “A decision has been taken about my position based on structural changes in a difficult economic climate. I truly hope that the brand will remain strong and that it continues to stick to its vision to be regarded as the ultimate surfing company.”
“It is time to take care of my family, surf my brains out and bounce back,” he said. “I will definitely be wearing a Rip Curl wetty.”
