Olly Forster to handle Forbidden Bike’s Global Marketing and UK Sales
Vancouver Island-based Forbidden Bike Company has bolster its staff roster with Olly Forster.
Bringing a knowledge and experience gained from a varied 17-year career in the bicycle industry, Forster will be handling Forbidden Bike Company’s marketing duties, both at home and overseas, alongside that of UK Sales.
“Much of Forbidden’s DNA can be traced back to the British mountain bike scene and that’s why I am truly excited to have Olly join our growing team,” said Forbidden CEO, Owen Pemberton.
Forster added: “Working directly for a bike manufacturer has always been a dream of mine and I’m honoured to join a team of fellow industry veterans who similarly want to make a positive difference within our sport. It’s going to be an action-packed year for the company; from signing an elite Enduro World Series athlete to rolling out our ambassador program to a host of other things I can’t yet talk about…2020 is going to be a pivotal year for Forbidden!”
Prior to joining Forbidden, Forster started his tenure in the bike industry working for a number of prominent bicycle retailers in the UK before entering the world of bicycle media. A ten-year stint as a journalist followed working for the likes of MBUK and Pinkbike amongst others, introduced him to leading brands and athletes: “From the shop floor to traveling the world riding and testing the latest bikes and gear, it’s been a rollercoaster ride and the experiences invaluable to my career progression.”
Formerly an engineer with Rolls-Royce and later for Norco Bicycles, Owen’s career path took a singular route, but his formative years in the UK left their mark, he said: “Designing the Druid, our first bike, I couldn’t help but consider how it would fair both on the rough-and-ready trails and in the often harsh conditions I know all too well.”
Forbidden boss Pemberton added: “Olly’s vast industry experience and his passion for all things mountain biking will help us take Forbidden forwards and demonstrate our commitment within the UK market.”
Olly’s first engagement of 2020 will be at the Burgtec House Show at the Three Horseshoes Country Inn, January 25th to 27th. The Burgtec House Show, organised by the Macclesfield-based component manufacturer is a trade-only affair, hosting a number of premium mountain bike brands from around the world. “We are always on the look-out for potential Forbidden dealers who we can not only work with as partners but are deeply connected within their local riding community.”
Photo credit: Samantha Saskia Dugon