Executive role for Knight

Outside Sports major shareholder and founding member John Knight has been appointed the group's managing director.

Company chairman Noel Walker said Mr Knight would be responsible for establishing Queenstown's new Outside Sports flagship store, planned for Shotover St.

Mr Knight will replace Ivan Santin, who will return to Italy in August.

Mr Knight said he was looking forward to taking on day-to-day leadership as the company entered the busy winter season.

The locally owned company has three branches in Queenstown, along with stores in Te Anau and Wanaka and a web-based operation.

Mr Knight and his wife were responsible for the Queenstown Outside Sports operation after a series of mergers in 2009 led to an enlarged company structure.

- Ellie Honeybone