Outdoor clothing chain Kathmandu has named David Kirk as chairman, replacing John Harvey.

Harvey took up the role after the death of former chairman James Strong in early 2013.

The new position adds to Kirk’s existing role as chairman of Trade Me, which he has held since the auction website listed in 2011.

He was appointed to Kathmandu’s board as a non-executive, independent director last November.

Mr Kirk, who led the All Blacks team that won the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup, was CEO of Australian publishing group Fairfax Media from 2005 to 2008.

Shares of Kathmandu last traded at $NZ3.14 and have climbed 38 per cent in the past 12 months, outpacing the NZX 50 Index’s 14 per cent gain.

BusinessDesk