Member Article

Business set up by cyclists for cyclists pedals up growth plans

A premier cycling skincare brand has teamed up with ecommerce and business growth experts as it announces ambitious plans to significantly scale the company and build its global customer base over the next three years.

VeloSkin was founded by passionate cyclist Chris Bairstow and is best-known for its chamois cream, which has gained a cult following among professional and amateur cyclists alike.

Keen cyclists and business growth specialists Andrew Banks, of Venture Forge, and Chris Iredale, of Thriven, both based in Halifax, West Yorkshire - also the hometown of VeloSkin – have come on board to drive ongoing ecommerce and international growth of VeloSkin while increasing retail and distribution partners across the UK, Europe and the US.

VeloSkin was launched two years ago when Chris couldn’t find a good quality chamois cream for himself. He painstakingly created 43 variations, before settling on the version that VeloSkin sells today and one he describes as the ‘best chamois cream on the market’.

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.

Andrew 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.”

Andrew is former head of ecommerce at Matalan and set up Venture Forge in Spring 2018. The company provides ecommerce strategy, ecommerce design and build and ongoing growth marketing for ecommerce businesses.

Chris 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.”

Chris 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 ecommerce experience and Chris’s background in business growth, I know we have the right team to drive VeloSkin forward.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Cherelle Jones .