Industry: Louise Ramsay


Louise Ramsay: OIA changes positive


Current OIA chief executive Louise Ramsay talks to David Pittman about changes to the running of the association, and her new role.


T


he Outdoor Industries Association (OIA) is changing its executive structure, and with it current chief executive Louise


Ramsay is taking a sideways step to become communications director. The new OIA executive structure will be led by


the communications director and a replacement chief executive, although both these positions will now be part-time. OIA says the new structure reflects the


‘increasingly wide and varied range of activity being undertaken by the association’, and that by splitting responsibilities, the association believes that the individuals in each role will be better able to focus on key priorities. OIA chair Corry Taylor says: “Dividing the roles


and responsibilities will allow the association to maintain, and indeed accelerate, the progress that is already being made. “ Ramsay says the decision to introduce a new


executive structure is a logical one, both for OIA and the trade. “As a chief executive it is imperative that you


look at you organisation’s structure from time-to- time, no matter how big or small the business. “We took stock and looked at what we could


do to take OIA to the next level. We don’t have vast resources so we had to take a lateral approach to drive the association forward. It’s all very positive and a logical progression for the association, as well as for the trade.” She notes though that some in the trade may


find the decision to introduce two part-time roles ‘a shock’ but says change was necessary. “OIA is a business like everyone else, and


although it is not-for-profit, it still has to be run like a business. The trading environment is tough for retailers as it is for associations so we had to make changes that would allow the association to continue and grow. “You find opportunities by making them, and


it was the right time for both the association and me to look at a new way of working.” Ramsay says a second person will also add a


new skill set to OIA’s portfolio and introduce a fresh approach to its work.


6 www.sgboutdoor.co.uk The chief executive’s remit will be focused


primarily on the lobbying, networking and community aspects of OIA’s work, while Ramsay as communications director will put her efforts into communicating the work of the association to improve the working practices of those in the outdoor trade, through projects such as The Active Guide and the Active Retail training programme. “Communications is where I come from and


where a lot of my work with the association’s members has been based, so it makes sense for me to take on this role and focus on my strengths,” she says. The recruitment drive is already well underway,


with a number of enquiries having been received. Ramsay is involved in the hunt for her


replacement but is not at liberty to divulge where interest in the role has come from, instead saying it will be interesting to find out what the background of the new chief executive is. “It could be someone looking to move into a


part-time position, someone looking to make their next career move or an industry professional who already runs a business and is looking to take a step back from that. “The ideal candidate will have knowledge of


the industry, but most importantly we’re looking for someone who can lead and take the association forward strategically, has drive and can inspire people, and who can successfully network and lobby on behalf of the industry.” Lobbying isn’t an essential skill as it can be


quite specific she notes, and is something which OIA has spent the last few years working to make easier.


“We’ve been working for over two years to


restart the association and, while the chief executive will still need to be hands on, the foundations are now in place.


“We’ve set the association on the right course; we just need a second pair of hands to help direct it. As the retail community might say, we’re looking to get two for the price of one.”


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