Various British media, including Drapers and the Birmingham Post, have reported that Jim McNamara, managing director of the outdoor clothing brand Craghoppers, will retire on July 31 after 25 years with the company. McNamara joined Craghoppers in 1995 from French footwear brand Line 7. He quickly rose up the hierarchy, starting as national sales manager, soon becoming sales director and finally, in 2000, managing director. During his 25 years with the company, McNamara was instrumental in Craghopper becoming one of the first outdoor brands to sell direct to consumer via direct mail and the Internet in 2003. He also steered the brand through three major crises – the foot-and-mouth disease in 2001, the global financial crisis in 2008 and the early months of the current Covid-19 pandemic. McNamara’s son James will take over as brand director. Craghoppers is part of the Regatta Group, which also owns the brands Regatta, Dare 2B, Hawkshead, Regatta Professional and Tactical Threads.

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