Biographies

Johan Eliasch
Chairman

Mr. Johan Eliasch is chairman of HEAD since 1995.

He is President of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, a member of the International Olympic Committee, a board member of the British Olympic Association, a council member of the Association of International Winter Olympic Federations, and a member of the IOC Sustainability and Legacy Commission.

He is chairman of ECJ Holdings, London Films, the Saatchi Gallery, president of Cool Earth, the founder of Rainforest Trust which preserves 1,600 square kilometres of rainforest in the Amazonas, president of the Global Strategy Forum, director of the Foundation for Renewable Energy and Environment and advisory board member of the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative and Brasilinvest.

He is the former Special Representative of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Sporting interests: Skiing, Tennis, Golf, Curling, Sailing, Motor Racing and Ice Hockey.

Gerald Skrobanek
Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President Watersport Division

Mr. Gerald Skrobanek, joined HEAD in September 2000. After having managed HEAD's Information Technology and Worldwide Operations for 5 years, he became Executive Vice President of the Diving Division in September 2005. Under his leadership, Scuba Schools International (SSI), rEvo Rebreathers, Liveaboard.com and ZOGGS were added to HEAD’s water-sports portfolio.

In December 2017 Gerald was appointed as HEAD’s Chief Operating Officer overseeing all of HEAD’s manufacturing, supply-chain and distribution functions. Prior to joining HEAD, Gerald served as Chief Information Officer for several international companies.

Sporting interests: Diving, Swimming, Tennis and Skiing.

Ottmar Barbian
Executive Vice President, Racquet and Ski sports Divisions

Ottmar Barbian, took over responsibilities as International Sales & Marketing Director of the HEAD Racquet Sports Division in 2008. In 2012, he was appointed Executive Vice President, assuming full responsibility of the Racquet Sports Division and joined the Executive Management Team of the HEAD GROUP. In 2024, he took over the responsibility of the Winter Sports Division.

Sporting interests: Tennis and Skiing.

Christoph Nitz
Vice President Business Development

Christoph Nitz rejoined HEAD as VP of Business Development in November 2024. Prior to joining HEAD in 2004, he gained valuable experience in sales and marketing roles within the textile and fashion industry. From 2004 to 2013, Christoph served as General Manager of Head International GmbH.

In the years following his departure from HEAD, Christoph supported various well-known brands in strategic positioning, business growth, product development as well as in the development and implementation of go-to-market strategies.

Sporting interests: Skiing, Ski Touring, Diving, Sailing, Tennis, Padel.