Pippa Wibberley appointed MD of Raleigh UK, click and collect bolstered
The Accell Group has announced the appointment of Pippa Wibberley to the role of managing director, effective as of today.
Wibberley has been in charge of Raleigh UK’s operations since former managing director Mark Gouldthorp left in March of this year, but only this week has parent the Accell Group nominated Wibberley as the official replacement.
At the Nottingham firm since 2015, Wibberley has steered Raleigh’s sales and marketing direction thus far.
On taking the MD role she said: “We have made significant progress in securing strong positions in our key markets this year and I am looking forward to developing these strengths further. Business simplification, building the competencies we need for the future and focus on core markets are key. Most importantly we will be driving to on deliver a best in class service and product proposition to our partner dealers. We have a clear and robust plan which ensures Raleigh UK and our customers benefit in every way possible from being part of the Accell Group and from the opportunities in the UK bicycle market going forward This marks a very exciting new phase of the development of Raleigh UK”.
In an email sent to dealer accounts notifying of the change, Raleigh took time to discuss the implementation of a new consumer service team, described as “a huge step for the business” and one that “will ensure consumers receive a ‘best in class’ service at every touch point with the business.”
The email continued: “Being the only UK distributor to offer next day delivery for orders placed as late as 6pm is a great achievement and Pippa is keen to expand on Raleigh’s business offering striving for ever improved service to the IBD market.
“Additionally, the business has undergone a number of changes within the Product development department which are designed to fine tune the in-house product offering taking the company from strength to strength. Finally, the addition of a new digital and online team aims to tackle the issues faced by the IBD market with 81% of consumers now researching their products online before purchase. A large part of the team’s role will be centred around improving the purchase journey for consumers and encouraging store visits and click and collect with partnered dealers. These new team structures have been created to focus the direction of the business and provide support in areas for growth and development.”
The appointment closely follows change at the top of the Accell Group, which appointed its new CEO just a few weeks ago.