British company OC Group, based in East Cowes, and European based ThirdPole have joined forces in a non-cash deal that will bring together their competences into a leading global sports marketing and events company.
Both brands will remain, with OC continuing to specialise in professional sailing teams and events, and ThirdPole, which is a new and expanding force in outdoor events, specialising in running, cycling and biathlon, and more extreme sports including adventure and trail running races. OC and ThirdPole combined aspire to become a world leader of outdoor events on all playing fields: oceans, lakes, mountains, forests, deserts and city centres.
This new business will fully own the existing operating companies in France, Switzerland and the UK, and will continue their work with global brands, host cities and regions, sporting federations and other promoters all over the world. The combined business already has events in place for 2011 in more than a dozen countries in Europe, USA and Asia. As the two main shareholders, Rémi Duchemin will take up the role of Group CEO and Mark Turner will remain fully engaged in the overall business as Executive Chairman.
ThirdPole was created by Rémi Duchemin and Benjamin Chandelier, both former employees at Amaury Sport Organisation, the organiser of the Tour de France whilst OC Group was set up in 1997 as Offshore Challenges by Mark Turner and Dame Ellen MacArthur. Dame Ellen, who launched her new Foundation on 2 September, now focuses her time fully in the sustainability arena and has no involvement in the new merger.