Berghaus finance director to retire after 20 years in the role

The long time finance director of North East firm Berghaus has announced plans to retire after 20 years with the company.

David Kennedy will leave the Sunderland business in March next year, when he reaches the age of 63.

Kennedy started his association with Berghaus in 1991 as a consultant tasked with introducing new stock recording and IT systems. In May 1994 he took on the full time role of finance director and has been with the company ever since.

In his time with Berghaus, part of the Pentland Group of companies, Kennedy has played an important role in many key stages of the brand’s development. In recent years, he has been a member of the senior management team that has successfully transformed Berghaus into a global business, now operating in about 50 markets around the world.

Kennedy has been instrumental in the growth of some of the business’ international operations, which have seen Berghaus built a strong presence in both established and emerging outdoor markets. Between March 2012 and March 2013, David Kennedy was vice president of wholly owned subsidiary company Berghaus Japan.

As well as his work for Berghaus, Kennedy has made significant contributions to fellow Pentland brand brasher. He managed the company’s move from its previous base in Lancashire to a location in the same building as Berghaus in Sunderland. More recently, Kennedy has twice been acting managing director for brasher.

Sir Chris Bonington, Berghaus non-executive chairman, comments: “David Kennedy has been an outstanding servant to Berghaus and his commitment and flexibility have been incredible, along with his passion for our brand. He has created a reliable and loyal finance and facilities team and several of them have been here with him throughout his tenure as finance director, which says a lot about the man and his approach.

“Everyone in the business would like to take this opportunity to thank David for his commitment and contributions to Berghaus and brasher over many years. He is a pleasure to work with and he has been a constant source of encouragement and motivation to his colleagues. Speaking personally, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with David and have particularly appreciated his sense of humour, especially during long, in depth business meetings.”

David Kennedy adds: “I have truly enjoyed my time with Berghaus and brasher. The last 20 years have flown by as there have always been new opportunities to take, or challenges to meet, and it’s never dull. I have been proud to say that I worked for both companies as they are great brands and it has been exciting to be part of the development of Berghaus during this period. I will miss working for them and the Pentland Group, which is an excellent company to work for, and will especially miss the people, with whom it has been a privilege to work.”

John Carver has joined Berghaus as interim finance director and is working with David Kennedy in the months leading up to his retirement. During a career of 30 years, Carver has worked in senior finance positions for major UK and multi-national companies, including Procter & Gamble, European Oat Millers, Associated British Foods, Chaucer Foods, Premier Foods and Uniq plc.