Surf company, Rip Curl, has appointed Brooke Farris to be its first female chief executive, according to an Australian Financial Review report.

The 40-year-old Farris, currently general manager of Rip Curl’s women’s division, will take up the new position on August 16.

She takes the reins from former CEO, Michael Daly, who has been elevated to run Rip Curl’s parent company, Kathmandu Holdings. Farris, a former junior surf champion, has worked with Rip Curl since 2010.

Rip Curl has performed strongly in the key regions of North America and Europe, despite Covid-19 disruptions over the past 12 months. Its direct-to-consumer sales have bounced back to exceed pre-pandemic levels and wholesale orders received for full year 2022 are up double-digits over fiscal 2019.

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Outdoor Wear Brand Kathmandu Acquires Rip Curl

The $236 million deal sees the last of Australia’s big three surf brands fall to overseas control.