Leadership Overview
North Sails has 4 executives leading key functions including global sail manufacturing, racing performance engineering, cruising product development, and international market expansion.
Driven by a commitment to maritime excellence, North Sails delivers advanced sail technology to sailors worldwide while maintaining a legacy of innovation in the competitive racing and cruising sectors.
Driven by a commitment to maritime excellence, North Sails delivers advanced sail technology to sailors worldwide while maintaining a legacy of innovation in the competitive racing and cruising sectors.
Leadership Roles at North Sails
Ken Read - President
Ken Read, the President at North Sails, directs the overarching strategic vision for the global sailmaking enterprise. Overseeing the integration of high-performance racing technology, the President ensures that engineering standards remain at the pinnacle of the industry. This leadership role involves coordinating with international manufacturing hubs to maintain consistent quality across 29 countries. By fostering partnerships with elite racing teams, Ken Read drives the development of cutting-edge materials that define modern sailboat performance. The President manages the alignment of research initiatives with market demands, ensuring that the company maintains a competitive edge in both professional and recreational sailing segments. Through rigorous oversight of operational workflows, Read secures the long-term viability of the brand while expanding the reach of advanced sail solutions into new global markets.

James Foster - President
James Foster, the President at North Sails, manages the operational scaling of cruising sail production and supply chain logistics. Overseeing the manufacturing infrastructure, the President optimizes production efficiency to meet the diverse needs of the global cruising community. This leadership role involves streamlining the procurement of raw materials and ensuring that manufacturing facilities adhere to strict quality control protocols. By implementing lean manufacturing principles, James Foster enhances the output capacity of the organization, supporting the widespread availability of durable cruising sails. The President collaborates with regional managers to address specific market requirements across various continents, ensuring that the product portfolio remains relevant to evolving consumer preferences. Through the systematic improvement of internal processes, Foster maintains the operational excellence required to support the company's extensive international footprint.
Torkel Borgstrom - President
Torkel Borgstrom, the President at North Sails, architects the expansion of the brand into emerging markets and oversees the diversification of the product line. Overseeing the strategic growth of the business, the President identifies new opportunities for market penetration within the competitive sailing sector. This leadership role involves managing the relationships with international licensees to ensure brand consistency across clothing and windsurfing product categories. By analyzing market trends and consumer behavior, Torkel Borgstrom directs the development of targeted marketing campaigns that elevate the company's profile in key geographic regions. The President coordinates with the board to align business objectives with long-term financial goals, ensuring sustainable growth. Through the cultivation of strategic alliances, Borgstrom strengthens the market position of the organization while driving innovation across all product divisions.
Gabriel Borgstrom - President
Gabriel Borgstrom, the President at North Sails, governs the technical research and development department to advance sail design capabilities. Overseeing the engineering teams, the President fosters a culture of continuous improvement in aerodynamic modeling and material science. This leadership role involves bridging the gap between theoretical design and practical manufacturing, ensuring that every sail meets the highest performance benchmarks. By prioritizing investment in proprietary software and testing facilities, Gabriel Borgstrom drives the creation of next-generation sail products that set industry standards. The President works closely with the design staff to refine product specifications, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of technological advancement. Through the rigorous application of data-driven insights, Borgstrom ensures that the organization delivers superior value to customers across the global sailing landscape.
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