Outdoor Industry Veteran Cathrine Stange Appointed CEO of Bergans of Norway

Historic heritage brand Bergans of Norway has named outdoor industry executive Cathrine Stange as its new Chief Executive Officer. Stange will officially step into the leadership role on October 1, 2026, steering the 118-year-old apparel and equipment manufacturer through its next strategic growth cycle.

Stange succeeds Silje Garberg Ree, who led Bergans for the past two years. Ree previously announced her departure to become CEO of sports group Brav, parent company to brands like Swix, Lundhags, Helsport, and Toko.

In an interesting executive trade, Stange briefly served as interim CEO at Brav in August 2026 prior to accepting the permanent top post at Bergans.

A Background in European Apparel and Retail

Stange brings extensive executive experience across European outdoor apparel, textile manufacturing, and retail sectors:

• Janus Wool (Janusfabrikken AS): Served as CEO from November 2023 through August 2026 at one of Europe's oldest manufacturers of wool base layers.

• Devold of Norway: Led the Norwegian knitted wool brand as CEO for nine years.

• Corporate & Retail Leadership: Held key commercial roles across major Nordic organizations including REMA 1000, Reitan Servicehandel, and ExxonMobil.

• Holding a degree in business and economics along with an MBA, Stange’s appointment signals a strong focus on operational efficiency, product innovation, and expanding international distribution.

Strategic Mandate: Profitability and Global Growth

Bergans of Norway—owned by Norway’s largest sports retailer, Sport Holding AS—has spent recent years restructuring its operations and modernizing its product lines.

"The company has undergone a significant transformation in recent years and is now entering a new phase in which we will strengthen profitability and the Bergans brand, while further developing our international business," stated Petter Schouw-Hansen, Chair of the Board of Bergans. "Cathrine brings extensive leadership experience from strong brands and retail businesses in Norway and Europe... giving us confidence that she is the right person to lead Bergans."

For her part, Stange highlighted the historical heritage of the pioneer brand, which famously invented the external-frame backpack in 1908.

"Bergans is a fantastic brand with a long and rich history and a unique position in outdoor apparel and equipment," said Stange. "This provides a strong foundation for the future, and I look forward to embarking on this journey with great respect for what has been built, together with the talented people at Bergans, our valued partners at Sport Holding, our committed owners and, not least, our customers in Norway and internationally."