PARIS — French authorities are searching for Pierre Agnès, chief executive officer of surfwear company Boardriders, after his boat was found on a beach on France’s west coast, government officials said on Tuesday.
Agnès is ceo of the U.S.-based company that owns Quiksilver, which has headquarters in southwest France. The 54-year-old executive headed out to sea at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, according to local authorities, who noted they have launched a search and rescue operation by sea and air.
Boardriders, controlled by Oaktree Capital Management, earlier this month announced plans to buy Australian label Billabong. The company was expected to shuffle its management team later this year and name Oaktree managing director Dave Tanner as ceo of Boardriders, while giving Agnès the title of president.