CEO of Quicksilver lost on the French Coast

"The boat of Pierre Agnès, 54, president of the Boardriders Inc. group, owner of the brands Quiksilver, Roxy and DC Shoes, has been found at Boiteux beach in Soorts-Hossegor (southwest). 7H30 (06H30 GMT") " local authorities said in a statement on Tuesday, January 30th 2018.

A search was immediately launched. Reports say he set sail early on Tuesday morning and indicated to port authorities that he was delaying his return because of thick fog. Rescue services were unable to say if he was alone.
 Reports state that three helicopters and two boats searched with agents on the coast. 

Pierre Agnès started his career with Quiksilver, a company specialized in the manufacture of surfing equipment and clothing, about 30 years ago. He worked mainly in the design of the brand’s products from the European headquarters of the company, based in the town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, in the southwest of France.

Quiksilver, an Australian surfwear company now based in the United States, recently changed its name to Boardriders, regrouping its other brands including DC Shoes and the Roxy clothing brand.

Agnes, who joined the company nearly 30 years ago, was long based at Quiksilver’s European headquarters in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, just south of Biarritz.

Earlier this month Boardriders said it was preparing to buy its Australian rival Billabong, creating a group that would have a combined 630 stores in 28 countries. A US investment group, Oaktree Capital, controls Boardriders and already owns 19% of Billabong.