After an impressive 32 years helping to drive Oxford Products to a significant position in the global two-wheeled industries, Andrew Hammond has left the business to pursue other opportunities. He is replaced as Managing Director by a familiar face, former Marketing Director Henry Rivers Fletcher.
Oxford’s Chairman and company founder Alec Hammond sums up Andrew’s contribution:
“During Andrew's time, Oxford has grown from a modest enterprise into what is now regarded as one of the world’s most significant and successful motorcycle and cycle accessory businesses.
I and the rest of the Board would like to thank Andrew for his huge contribution to the Company over his long period at the helm and wish him every success with his endeavours going forward.” |
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Andrew Hammond presenting Chairman Alec Hammond with a restored 1979 P&M Kawasaki Oxford race bike, helped by rider Les Burgan’s widow Julie.
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In Andrew’s words:
“After spending my whole adult working life at Oxford Products, some 32 years, I stand very proud of where I have taken the business as MD for the last 23 years. I leave the business in a very sound and secure place, with plenty in the pipeline for 2024 and the years to come.
During those years I have worked with some amazing people in the global two wheeled market, and we have shared some fabulous experiences. I am very grateful to them all and look forward to meeting up with them again in the future.
In the coming months I shall look forward to spending some extended quality time with my family and will turn my attention to training for the New York Marathon in November. As I am way too young to retire, and once the summer is over, I shall be looking for new challenges or opportunities going forward.” |
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Alec Hammond continues...
“Andrew has benefitted from the support of many remarkable individuals over the years, most of whom still make Oxford the powerhouse it is today.
As well as over 150 incredible people whose efforts and expertise give us our strength, we are fortunate to have a formidable team of directors steering the ship. With a combined service of over 150 years, they will continue their great work under the leadership of Henry Rivers Fletcher." |
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New MD Henry Rivers Fletcher is reported to be relishing the opportunity to extend Oxford’s winning formula:
“I look forward to helping our very special team to continue their exceptional work, while supporting our partners and stakeholders around the world; we will build on our mission to always do and be… BETTER!”. |
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ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR EDITORS:
Andrew’s first experience of working in the business was around the age of 10, packing “Oxford Soft Grips” into boxes for a penny a piece with his twin brother Graham. Over the years, summer holidays were spent in the warehouse, picking and packing for entrepreneurial dad Alec Hammond’s growing business.
It was also as a youngster that Andrew got hooked on motorcycle racing, travelling all over the UK and Europe with Team Oxford Racing. The passion remains to this day, with Hammond continually promoting the company’s increasingly significant involvement in BSB and making regular trips to Moto GP to support Oxford’s partners.
After completing a BTEC National Diploma in business finance, Andrew went travelling and spent two months working in South Africa on a game ranch. Returning home, he asked his father for work before getting a ‘real job’… and more than thirty years later, Andrew was “still looking!”.
Having risen to the position of Commercial Director in a nascent board during the late 90s, Hammond eventually took over the running of the business in 2001 supported by fellow director Henry Rivers Fletcher and the two set about a process which re-shaped the business and stabilised profits. Since 2006, Oxford has grown strongly every year from £7.5m turnover to over £46m in 2023.
During this time, Hammond has overseen significant investment in infrastructure and staff, resulting in today’s head count of over 150 and a 200,000 sq ft head office, which was opened to great fanfare by none other than Prime Minister David Cameron in 2014.
Being a product man at heart, he has spearheaded investment in CAD and 3D printing technology to accelerate Oxford product development whilst driving the successful distribution of global brands such as HJC helmets and Alpinestars.
In the motorcycle world, aggressive sales and marketing strategies have pushed Oxford ahead of its competitors and the company is now the UK’s largest distributor of aftermarket products. This wider ambition has also helped to make Oxford a major global player, with over 90 international partners absorbing over 30% of the company’s business.
With the company’s motorcycle business firmly on the right path, Andrew’s team set about creating a bicycle department in the same image, recruiting expertise and acquiring a competitor business in 2010, which catapulted sales and Oxford’s market position. Having undergone further re-modelling and investment, Oxford Cycle is now well on the way to competing with its combustion-powered sibling. |
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