Sales director's departure makes waves at Quiksilver

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Quiksilver is hunting for a replacement for UK sales director Jason Lynch, who has left the business.

Lynch joined Quiksilver 18 months ago from denim brand Sixty, where he was UK commercial director. He oversaw wholesale of the boardsports label's menswear and youth lines, plus the Roxy womenswear arm.

European sales manager Peter Skelton said Lynch's exit was a mutual decision and that he would take on Lynch's duties until a replacement was found.

The move means that Roxy sales manager Kathy Sullivan, Quiksilver sales manager Paul Copson and youth and footwear sales manager Mark Phillips will report directly to Skelton in the interim.

Skelton said trading had been tough in the UK, but the business's own stores, including its flagship on London's Regent Street, were trading well. He added that more company-owned stores would open this year.

He said: "We've got a great sales team who will be able to keep driving the wholesale business, and there will be no disruption to orders or deliveries."

Skelton said sales at the European business would reach EUR600 million (£404m) for the year to October 31, up from EUR535m (£360.7m) last year.

The brand recently ended its supply agreement with Freespirit, the UK's biggest boardsports chain, after its owner Blacks Leisure Group demanded more discounts and longer payment terms.

Lynch was unavailable for comment.