Terra Nova Equipment has appointed Mark Vallance, the founder of Wild Country Ltd, as a non-executive director of the company.
Altrincham-born Mark brings to his appointment wide experience in the outdoor industry and has been brought on board to provide strategic guidance to the Terra Nova business. Terra Nova Equipment was an offshoot of Wild Country Ltd in 1992.
Andrew Utting, managing director of Terra Nova, said: “Mark’s association with Terra Nova is a very positive step for the development and growth of the company. We hope to use his industry expertise, product knowledge and retailing know-how to help us realise our corporate objectives of building the Terra Nova Equipment brand in the UK and Europe.”
Mark Vallance is keen to get involved in this developing company. “Working with Terra Nova again after 10 years is like coming home. Having spent over 1,500 nights – that’s more than four years – under the stars, I find it difficult to stop trying to perfect the gear that makes camping fun in good conditions, or possible in the worst conditions. It is a real pleasure to be associated with the company again.”
Mark has a real passion for mountains. He has climbed in every continent and summited Tibet’s Xixabangma. More recently, he was on the north ridge of Everest to 7,000 metres. After two years in Antarctica, he worked with the Peak National Park in conservation and education. After starting Wild Country in 1977, he founded the leading British retail store Outside in 1986 and The Foundry in 1991. Mark has served the British Mountaineering Council in a voluntary capacity for more than 27 years and has been the recipient of many industry awards.
Terra Nova has recently undergone a series of new product development programmes that have seen the launch of diverse collections over the last two years. The company has worked hard on improving the design of its popular Wild Country tent range, which has already been well received in the UK and throughout Europe.
The Terra Nova premium tent range is growing with two new designs for 2003, and the Extremities range has been completely revamped and will be re-launched at ISPO 2003. Terra Nova sleeping bag sales have seen an increase, and the company continues to develop the range. The Atacamic clothing collection has been redesigned to improve the cut, style, fit and fabric of garments in the range.