THOMAS NORMAND JOINS THE TEAM

A New Operations Manager at North Sails France

Thomas Normand, former director of Mer Concept (sailor François Gabart’s ocean racing team), is joining North Sails France as operations manager. He will be responsible for the operational strategy within the three French sites in Vannes, Lorient (Brittany) and Mouans Sartoux in the South of France. He will support the management team, which includes managing director Gautier Sergent, manager and sales director Philippe Touet.

Thomas Normand (36 years old) will have as main missions the management of the teams, the optimization of processes and products, as well as the implementation of methods and projects. Reporting to the general management, he will act as coordinator and administrator between the different teams of the company, both nationally and internationally with the North Sails group. He will take up his position early December 2022.

“We are delighted to welcome Thomas Normand to our team,” said Gautier Sergent. His skills and experience will complement and strengthen our current capabilities. We are confident in his ability to maintain a smooth and positive development of the organization. And like all of our team members, Thomas is driven by the same passion for sailing and for excellence.”

“We have a great team that performs well whether it be commercially, technically or productively,” adds Philippe Touet. And Thomas will support this team with the objective of operational efficiency.”

“I am proud and excited to join the North Sails France team,” says Thomas Normand. “After four great years with Mer Concept, I wanted to get away from the world of sponsorship and broaden my horizon. The North Sails proposal came at the right time. It is a company with a strong reputation and a long history in the sailing world, especially through prestigious events such as the Route du Rhum, the Vendée Globe, the America’s Cup or The Ocean Race, races that have made me dream since I was a child. North Sails is also the reference in terms of advanced technology and a research and development unit placed at the center of the organization’s strategy. My role as Director of Operations will be to understand and deal with the problems and issues of each other in order to move forward. Another aspect and not the least, Thomas is a sailing enthusiast. “Continuing to work and exchange with the sailing teams will allow me to stay in touch with this magnificent sport.”

Thomas Normand holds a state sailing diploma, a master’s degree in sports management and recently a Goldman Sachs University Diploma from Essec. He began his career as a professional sailor in Mini 6. 50 and Figaro (Mini Transat 2011, 2nd in the prototype category and Solitaire du Figaro 2012, 14th and 1st Rookie) within Jean-Pierre Dick’s Absolute Dreamer team before putting his university education into practice at CapGemini engineering, a world leader in the engineering services sector, where he was head of the Energy department for four years, and then at Mer Concept as General Manager from 2018 until today.