As general manager, Visch will oversee Patagonia’s growing business in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, which today includes more than 230 employees and 11 stores. Visch will build on the success and strong environmental position established by previous general manager Ryan Gellert, who has transitioned into the role of Global CEO of holding company Patagonia Works, after six years of leading Patagonia’s team in EMEA.
Visch brings 24 years of experience building and heading large, diverse teams through a people-centred leadership approach. Prior to Patagonia, Visch spent 19 years at Nike, most recently as general manager of EMEA East. In this role he will report to John Collins, Vice President of Global Sales.
Collins comments: “Meeting Matthijs, I was impressed by his compassionate, authentic approach to leadership and team-building. He has lived all over the World and brings rich experiences and diverse perspectives to his work. He is a trail runner and skier, shares Patagonia’s commitment to protecting the wild places around us and brings with him a dedication to social justice. As we continue to grow our business and our environmental activism, throughout the EMEA region, I feel confident that Matthijs is the right person to lead the business and our people on the journey ahead.”
Visch comments: “It is a humbling experience to be joining Patagonia, a company I have long admired, and to become part of this dynamic community. Throughout my career, I have made it a priority to empower the individuals I work with, in order to achieve great things, collectively. In my new role, I look forward to building on this important work. From a very young age, I have felt most at home in nature, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help to bring to life the mission statement: We’re in business to save our home planet.”
Visch will join Patagonia in May 2021, working from the company’s Amsterdam-based EMEA headquarters.
