Evans Cycles appoints Andy King as new chief executive

UK bike retail chain Evans Cycles has replaced Nick Wilkinson with former Dobbies Garden Centre MD Andy King.

King comes from a background of managing retail businesses, including time spent with The Body Shop and Mothercare.

George Moss, partner at ECI Partners (who invested in Evans Cycles in May 2015), said: “We are delighted that Andy has joined Evans Cycles as CEO. He brings great knowledge and experience from a career in specialist retail, and we are looking forward to working with him through this next period of growth.”

Mike Tomkins, Chairman at Evans Cycles, added: “I know Andy is going to do a fantastic job here at Evans Cycles. With his marketing background and focus on customer service and experience, he’s just the man to help the company take the next steps forward.

“Evans Cycles is at an exciting stage in the company’s development right now. We’ve seen consistently strong trading since July, especially in the bike category. Our B2B business continues to perform strongly and gain market share in the various employee tax free schemes and our new FWE winter clothing and accessories range has been well received by our customers. Our investment in e-commerce is also paying off with our new web platform launched in the spring performing well and strong sales growth through mobile devices. On top of this, Evans Cycles continues to grow its high street presence, with new store openings continuing in 2017.”

Andy King, incoming CEO, said: “I’m a keen cyclist and can honestly say I have long wanted to work at Evans Cycles, so taking the job was an easy decision for me. I’m a big fan of the company and its aim to be at the heart of UK cycling as both a retailer and a supporter of grassroots cycling. I am looking forward to getting to know the business and its colleagues across the UK. The company may be 95 years old but I’m predicting the coming years are going to be very exciting.”

Last week we reported on the current fortunes of Evans, who told CyclingIndustry.News that business is once again “good and expanding. The business is looking toward opening a few branches by spring 2017 to replace closures said to have been forced by lease agreements in Wandsworth and Crawley.