Mark Busby appointed new Five Ten European sales director

Mark Busby, formerly of Bigstone, Five Ten’s representing agent in the U.K., has been hired as Five Ten’s new European Sales Director, effective June 15. 2010. Bigstone owner, Andy Bowman, will continue to service Five Ten’s accounts in the UK. “It’s a big move for Mark, and we wish him all the very best as he ‘leaves the nest’ for his European adventure,” says Bowman. “We will miss him here at Bigstone.”

Busby has spent the last seven years working with Bigstone on the 5.10, Arc‘teryx, Smartwool and Edelweiss accounts. He mastered all aspects of the business but in more recent years concentrated on the sales presentations to buyers and in-store training for new products. He also gained expertise in working with sponsored athlete teams. “We have an excellent relationship with Bigstone, and Andy Bowman and his team have done a fantastic job in the U.K. with the 5.10 brand,” says Laura Sanders, Global Sales manager for Five Ten. “As 5.10 sales have grown worldwide, we knew we needed to hire a European sales director. Mark Busby had all of the right qualifications, and an excellent track record. We are very pleased that Bigstone has agreed to the transfer, and of course, look forward to many, many more years of partnership with Andy Bowman and his group.”

Busby brings a strong background in sports and business to his new position. He has a degree in Environmental Geoscience from Sheffield University—something he calls a thinly-veiled excuse to move to Sheffield to go climbing. He has been climbing for about 20 years—from big walls in Yosemite to sport climbing in Europe. “Part of Five Ten’s success is due to having enthusiastic, active athletes with good business sense on board,” explains Charles Cole, founder and president of Five Ten. “With so many ‘core’ outdoor companies becoming mainstream corporations, run by shirts-and-ties, we really value guys like Mark who are firmly rooted in the outdoors. Mark is as authentic as you can get—which makes him an ideal fit with Five Ten.” Busby’s new job as 5.10 European Sales Director will begin in June.

Five Ten is a privately owned manufacturer of equipment for biking, rock climbing, water sports, trail running, and any activity where high-friction footwear is a necessity. The Redlands, California based company has been making high-quality, performance climbing shoes for 25 years. By focusing on innovative products, Five Ten prides itself on helping to make outdoor activities more fun, safer, and more accessible to new and core enthusiasts alike. With the help of top national and international athletes and guides, combined with a world-class rubber-testing and R&D facility, Five Ten works hard to offer top-quality, durable high-friction footwear that is functional, fashionable, and fun.

For more information about Five Ten or Stealth rubber visit www.fiveten.com or contact Five Ten’s director of communication,Nancy Prichard Bouchard – nancy.bouchard@fiveten.com.

For sales information, contact Laura Sanders, Five Ten’s Global Sales Director – laura.sanders@fiveten.com