North Sails has announced a new leadership structure, with Thomas Normand taking on the role of global sales and service director and Marine Derrien becoming managing director of North Sails France.
North Sails has more than 100 sites worldwide and is the preferred supplier for events like the America’s Cup, the Vendée Globe, The Ocean Race, and the Olympics.
Marine began her career with OC Sport – the sports event company founded by Dame Ellen MacArthur and Mark Turner – where she spent seven years in key roles, including director of La Solitaire du Figaro and La Route du Rhum yacht races.
Her experience spanned into the America’s Cup with team Luna Rossa, overseeing logistics operations in Auckland and San Francisco.
It’s the diversity and complementarity of my experiences that give me the tools to take on this challenge today.
Marine Derrien
Most recently, she served as team principal for the Holcim – PRB campaign during The Ocean Race 2022–23. She then led the Olympic Games parade on the Seine in Paris for the French Olympics.
With nearly 18 years of experience in the marine industry, Marine credits the breadth and variety of her career for preparing her for this next chapter.
“It’s the diversity and complementarity of my experiences that give me the tools to take on this challenge today,” she explained.
“I believe the key to performance lies in everyone understanding each other’s role and being proud to represent North Sails.
“My goal is to build this sense of pride and unite all energies toward a common objective.”
Diversity of sailing
And she added that while offshore racing remains a strong pillar of the French market, North Sails aims to expand its development into other sailing segments.
“The challenge for North Sails France is to move beyond the sole offshore racing universe, prestigious as it may be, and to grow in other markets and with other types of boats, supporting the diversity of sailing,” said Marine.
“I am extremely proud to join the group, and I look forward to taking on this new challenge.”
Thomas added: “I am very pleased to welcome Marine as managing director of North Sails France.
“Her experience in both offshore racing and the event industry, in France and abroad, will be a great asset in her daily work.”
