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VeloSkin has teamed up with e-commerce and business growth experts and has announced plans to significantly scale the company and build its global customer base over the next three years.
The brand was founded by cyclist Chris Bairstow and is best-known for its chamois cream. Cyclists and business growth specialists Andrew Banks of Venture Forge and Chris Iredale of Thriven, both based in Halifax, West Yorkshire have come on board to drive ongoing e-commerce and international growth of VeloSkin while increasing retail and distribution partners across the UK, Europe and the US.
Since launching in 2017, the brand has added four further premium skincare products to its range, including recovery gel and moisturiser, which are sold online and through a number of independent retailers.
Banks said: “Chris and I were very impressed by the overall offering from VeloSkin and its potential to be one of the big players in its field. The products have been created by cyclists, for cyclists and we will be focussing on growing the customer base online and internationally and are actively looking for retail and distribution partners in our key markets, from the UK to the US.”
Banks is the former head of e-commerce at Matalan and set up Venture Forge in spring 2018. The company provides e-commerce strategy, e-commerce design and build, and ongoing growth marketing for e-commerce businesses.
Iredale coaches and mentors owner managed businesses and their leadership teams to develop skills, processes and strategies for scaling up and sustainable growth. He set up his company, Thriven, in 2016.
He said: “Part of the reason we have all come together on this project is through our mutual love of cycling. VeloSkin offers a range of premium skincare products for cyclists and through the expertise, we have on our team I am confident that we will grow the business significantly.”
Bairstow added: “I’m a keen cyclist, so from gravel rash, to dry skin to being unable to sit down, I’ve gone through it all! But I could never find an entire specialist skincare range that worked well for me. So, instead of waiting for someone else to do it, I decided to design and manufacture a range of specialist skincare for cyclists – the kind of performance products I would want to wear myself.
“I established VeloSkin with my wife, Tanya, and it was our first venture into creating a new brand product line. We’re delighted to have Andrew and Chris on board. With Andrew’s considerable e-commerce experience and Chris’s background in business growth, I know we have the right team to drive VeloSkin forward.”
VeloSkin’s range of products can be found here.
