Ryan Gellert has been named chief executive of Patagonia Europe, responsible also for the Middle East. He spent the last 15 years with Black Diamond in various roles including that of brand manager, vice president for supply chain management and managing director for Black Diamond Asia. Described as a dynamic leader and as an avid climber and backcountry snowboarder, he sits on the boards of the Access Fund and Protect Our Winters. Gellert is succeeding Stefan Whalén, who is leaving the company at a time when it is moving its European office from the French Alps to Amsterdam, after restructuring the business over the past two years.